The Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival, the largest international food and wine event of its kind in Southern CA, is proud to welcome a growing list of celebrity chefs to its roster.

“Working each year with amazing, talented and world renown chef's is a great privilege,” said Festival Executive Producer Jeff Hocker, known for his long expertise in event production and the culinary arts. “Each of our chefs have excelled in the culinary world and have built enterprises that span the country and international cuisine landscape."

Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, an Emmy® award-winning public television host, best‐selling cookbook author, successful restaurateur, and owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business will be one of its headliners this year. Lidia has co-authored with her daughter Tanya, numerous cookbooks and companion books showcased on her Emmy® -winning television series Lidia’s Kitchen, Lidia’s Italy in America, and Lidia’s Italy. Her most recent book is Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours, which was released in October 2023, a companion to her new 26-part public television series, Lidia’s Kitchen.

Dara Yu is a 21-year-old LA native chef. Her career started in the MasterChef Junior kitchen at age 12 where she placed as runner-up in season one. Following her run on MasterChef Junior, she started staging at restaurants to continue to perfect the craft of cooking.

She’s spent time in kitchens such as AOC, Bouchon Bakery, Annisa, and Tasting Kitchen as well as being a part of the opening team of Dominique Ansel Bakery LA at the age of 16. She continued her education at The Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, where she graduated with a high honors degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. Shortly after graduating, she went on to compete on season 12 of MasterChef “Back to Win”, and was the winner!

You may recognize Chef Joe Sasto from his win on The Food Network’s “Chopped”, and his time competing on NBC’s Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars. He was recently recognized by The Food Network for their first ever “Hot List” of 2022. Sasto has become very popular via the social media landscape, with over 20-million “likes” and countless viral videos. Sasto is a re-occurring judge, host, and chef personality across Food Network, and an All-Star competitor for shows such as Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, and Guy’s Grocery Games. Chef Joe has also developed a high-end customizable pasta and pizza tool line with well-known knife maker and blacksmith Doghouse Forge. Sasto recently launched a puffed pasta snack, entitled TANTOS, which is set to hit the market in 2023. Chef Sasto is also currently writing his first cookbook.

“Participating in the Palm Springs Food & Wine Festival is an honor,” says Sasto. “I look forward to sharing my passion for food with festival-goers.”

His recent ventures include the highly sought-after focaccia popup Luna Focacceria and a customizable pasta and pizza tool line developed with Doghouse Forge. Additionally, Sasto is working on his first cookbook and just launched the puffed pasta snack line TANTOS.

New this year, Michael Green has been brought on, as the events Wine Director. Michael is a long-time friend and business associate who brings his special talents to our NEW, premium wine seminars.

Michael Green is a highly sought-after event host, food and wine curator, and television personality with numerous appearances on MSNBC, CNN, The Today Show, and The Food Network. With a client list that ranges from Fortune 500 companies to startups, his expertise and wine enthusiasm is unrivaled.

The Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival would not be possible without the support of The City of Palm Springs, Bright Event Rentals, KESQ News Channel 3, All-Clad, Volvo Palm Springs, Stella Artois, Maker’s Mark, Prime Time Produce, Stolzle Lausitz, Chill Bar Palm Springs and Reforma, Town Real Estate and Stars Travel, Sun Community Federal Credit Union, AAA, Costco Wholesale, Palm Springs Disposal, Thompson Palm Springs, The Colony Palms, 420 Bank Dispensary and Lounge, Mike Thompson RV Super Stores, Phyllis Eisenberg, Kerry Hendrix and Eric Flora of Capstone Partners.

Media Partners for the Palm Springs Food and Wine Festival include: Los Angeles Magazine, Locale Magazine, KCBS 740 AM, KESQ News Channel 3, MeTV Radio 103.1 FM, KGAY 106.5 FM and 92.1 FM, Gay Desert Guide, Desert Charities News, CV Independent, Desert Sun, Marker Broadcasting, Alpha Media, The Standard Magazine, Desert Business Association, Visit Palm Springs, Visit Greater Palm Springs and more to be announced soon.

For more information and tickets, visit www.PalmSpringsFoodandWine.org