Is there any place sunnier than Malibu?
My Uber whipped around those gorgeous curves as I made my way to the first-ever Malibu Food & Wine, and all I could think about was the mountains and arid air and wine and wine and wine.
I thought about wine, too.
Jokes aside, the three-day event at beautiful Saddlerock Ranch was a benefit for The Boys and Girls Club of Malibu, a cause anyone can get behind. It featured an All-Star lineup of celebrity chefs and legendary SoCal restaurants.
Wine and spirits were in abundance, and there was a delightful market of local clothes and trinket sellers.
Host Adam Richman kept the vibe high with jokes and constant praise for his culinary partners, highlighting how great it is to ‘have a whole community that doesn’t always get showcased get their flowers.’
Notable attendees included Victoria Justice, Kendra Wilkinson, Tia Carrere, Jason Strauss, Jonah Platt, Tara Strong, and Hunter Fieri.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, a big favorite in my neighborhood, boasted a 35-foot food truck that drew ooos, ahhs, and more than a few Instagram Stories.
Standouts for me were Irv’s Burgers of Malibu, which packed a memorable punch even with a slider-sized offering, and Ben Ford with tuna tartare that was light and savory, perfect for a SoCal Summer day.
Special mention for WeVino of Westlake Village, who knocked me out with their succulent meatballs.
Rare Champagne and Aspen Vodka’s slushy drinks were my favorites, the latter satisfying and sweet without knocking me down with liquor.
I also love House of Suntory, who let guests sample sustainable Japanese whiskies and Roku Gin.
There was a badass acoustic set from Jakob Nowell of Sublime that kept people of a certain age rocking and even got the kids involved, too.
Just because the festival is over doesn’t mean you can’t donate to The Boys and Girls Club of Malibu, so look them up and make a kid’s day.
See you next year!
