Playing With Fire Sessions Bring San Diego’s Top Chefs to Torrey Pines for Ultimate Grilling Events
The Grill at Torrey Pines has created something we didn’t know we needed—a series of outdoor grilling collaborations that brings together San Diego’s most respected chefs for wood-fired cooking demonstrations paired with local craft beer.
Playing with Fire Sessions transforms summer dining into interactive experiences where we can watch culinary masters work their magic on the grill while sipping locally brewed beer on one of the city’s most scenic patios.
Playing With Fire Sessions
July: Powerhouse Chef Lineup
July’s session reads like a who’s who of San Diego fine dining. Chef Trey Foshee from George’s at the Cove brings his renowned technique to the grill, while Chef Jason Knibb from NINE-Ten adds his sophisticated approach to wood-fired cooking.
Chef Jeff Jackson, formerly with The Lodge, rounds out a trio that represents some of the city’s most accomplished culinary talent. Burgeon Beer Company provides the craft beer component, ensuring the beverage program matches the caliber of the cooking.
This combination of three established chefs working together creates the kind of collaborative energy that makes these events special—we’re not just watching individual demonstrations but seeing how different culinary styles approach the same wood-fired medium.
August: Fresh Perspectives
Chefs David Sim and Sydney Imlay team up with Kingfisher and Coronado Brewing Company for the August session. This pairing brings different energy to the series, showcasing how younger chefs are interpreting wood-fired cooking while maintaining the high standards established by the series format.
The Coronado Brewing partnership adds geographic variety to the beer selections, demonstrating the depth of San Diego’s craft brewing scene while keeping the focus local.
September: Established Excellence
The series concludes with Chef Drew Deckman representing 31ThirtyOne/Deckman’s Restaurant Group paired with Latitude 33 Brewing. Deckman’s established reputation and restaurant group experience bring the series full circle, showcasing both individual chef talent and broader culinary vision.
The Format That Works
What makes Playing with Fire Sessions successful is how they balance education with entertainment. We get to see accomplished chefs demonstrate wood-fired techniques we might not encounter elsewhere, while the craft beer pairings and outdoor setting keep the atmosphere relaxed and social rather than intimidatingly formal.
The Torrey Pines location provides the perfect backdrop—scenic enough to feel special but accessible enough for regular participation. The monthly schedule gives us something to look forward to throughout the summer while allowing each session to maintain its uniqueness.
Community and Craft
These sessions represent something important about San Diego’s food and beverage culture—the collaborative spirit between restaurants, chefs, and breweries that creates experiences greater than the sum of their parts.
Rather than competition, we see cooperation that benefits everyone involved while giving us access to techniques and pairings we might not discover otherwise.
See you there!
Playing with Fire Sessions showcase San Diego’s culinary talent through wood-fired demonstrations and craft beer pairings in Torrey Pines’ stunning outdoor setting. Don’t miss it!
📆 Monthly sessions: July 14, August 11, September 8
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here
See you there, San Diego!
