Festival pops its first cork

“Try one,” said Bruno Massuger as he presented a lobster crostini appetizer to a guest at a preview in August for the upcoming Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival.

The canape, spooned with lobster, chopped mango and onions, was a temptation too strong to resist. And there is plenty more where that came from.

The executive chef of Back Bay Bistro at Newport Dunes will join 36 local chefs to showcase live cooking demonstrations during the three-day festival beginning Friday evening.

The flavor-filled event at Newport Beach Civic Center will be enhanced with sommeliers offering wine tastings. There will be mixology courses, wine educators analyzing six different bottles and live music by international jazz artists.

To kick off the inaugural food festival Friday night, master chef Rick Bayless will host a cocktail party and three-course wine and food pairing at Red O Restaurant. Bayless won the title of Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” with his Mexican cuisine. His opening of Red O Restaurant in Fashion Island followed its first location in West Hollywood.

Lauded chefs such as Jamie Gwen, who won on “Cutthroat Kitchen,” Joe Youkhan, a recent winner on “Chopped,” and Alan Greeley, who was named Orange County’s Chef of the Year 2013 at the Golden Foodie Awards, are just a few names on the list of culinary stars.

But awards and recognitions aside, the festival is about supporting the event’s charities, with proceeds benefiting Hoag Hospital Foundation’s Circle 1000 and Project Hope Alliance, an organization helping homeless and at-risk families in obtaining or keeping housing.

“It’s always good to see everyone work together,” said chef Pascal Olhats, owner of Pascal in San Juan Capistrano and Cafe Jardin in Sherman Library and Gardens. “It’s a good thing to show chefs don’t compete; they just love good food.”

During the preview held in August on the grounds at Sherman Library and Gardens, each chef stood behind a cocktail table and showcased platters offering a sneak peek of their culinary creations.

“I’m just going to eat my way through,” said Newport Beach City Councilman Mike Henn as he perused the tables of food. “We’re very anxious to make it successful, and it’s a great event.”

Chef Ashley Santo Domingo of 24 Carrots catered prepared compressed watermelon bites with a hibiscus and basil syrup shooter. She paired the fruit with jalapeño-dusted blackberries and cilantro. Chef Marc Johnson of Oak Grill at Island Hotel assembled tandoori-spiced ahi tartare with curry oil.

“Our interpretation is that California has so many demographics, so this dish represents the Indian side,” Johnson said. “It came out to be really nice, unique and different.”

Chef Jeffrey Lunak of Blue C Sushi made house-smoked Japanese hamachi tacos with guacamole, chili sauce and cilantro.

“That was awesome,” Youkhan said to Lunak.

“These are really good,” agreed an attendee. “I really liked that pop of spice at the end.”

Master sommelier Michael Jordan, director of global key accounts for Jackson Family Wines, led a blind tasting and contrasted wines. The festival’s 10 sommeliers will share their insights into fine wines.

Among the 10 is Troy Smith, lead sommelier and beverage manager at Montage Laguna Beach; James Huston, co-owner of Corona del Mar wine boutique the Wine Gallery; and Jorn Kleinhans, owner of Wine Elite, a company leading sommelier-guided wine-tasting experiences in Southern California.

The two days of tasting will feature samples from the restaurants, hors d’oeuvres, over 100 different wines and lounges hosted by sponsors.

The previewed dishes at the private event were just a glimpse for guests who anticipated culinary creations at the upcoming festival.

Stefanie Salem, founder of the Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival, thanked sponsors and attendees and welcomed the participating chefs.

Youkhan, of Tasting Spoon, said he was humbled to be surrounded by respected chefs.

Chef Chris Tzorin of Tortilla Republic in Laguna Beach echoed his words.

“It’s an honor to be doing this with Mexican cuisine,” Tzorin said. “It’s an honor to be here with this culinary team, and it will be an honor to be at the festival.”

If You Go

What: Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival

When: VIP Launch Party at Red O from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Drive

Tickets: At the door Saturday and Sunday: $195; All Access Weekend Pass: $350; VIP Launch Party at Red O: $350; Grand Finale Party at Sherman Library and Gardens: $95

Information: (888) 511-3378 or visit newportwineandfood.com