Newport Beach Wine & Food lives up to its name

The fifth annual Newport Beach Wine & Food festival is shifting into high gear, with barbecue prepared by gourmet chefs Friday, followed this weekend by the Grand Tasting — cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs from across the country and tastes from more than 40 restaurants on the West Coast.

Friday’s event at the Balboa Bay Resort featured barbecue by chefs Hubert Keller, Joe Flamm, Carrie Baird, Fatima Ali, Brian Huskey, Christopher Scott, Joe Sasto, Devin Alexander and Rachel Haggstrom, along with craft beer, wine and spirits and live music from rock/reggae band Common Sense.

The Grand Tasting will run from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Newport Beach Civic Center. Along with the food, guests can sample more than 250 varieties of wine, beer and spirits. Tickets are $150 to $200.

Newport Beach Wine & Food also includes master sommelier tasting panels and mixology courses.

For tickets and more information, visit newportwineandfood.com.