Food & Liquor Festivals, Fairs and Fun Things To Do in August

The amount of fairs, festivals and showcases taking place across the nation during the upcoming month of August are astounding. From Sac-town to San Diego and everywhere in between, people can be found celebrating everything from homemade brews and wines to corn, soul food, crawfish and grapes. The great state of California has a climate unmatched by many places in the world and with that come some incredibly delicious delectable’s, drinks and custom creations that cannot be found anywhere else. 

Below is a list of upcoming events that are surely not to be missed. The even better thing about each and every one of these events is that they are family friendly (yes even the ones that serve liquor) and all take place in areas that are surrounded by historical landmarks, beautiful beaches and people that just want to have a good time. Another great thing about August is that it marks the end of Summer and soon all of the kids running in the streets will back in school and out of the way of us serious eaters.

August 1, 2013  An Evening on the Beach - Santa Monica, California
Notable Los Angeles chefs each preparing a signature dish on an open grill set directly on the sand. Guests will sample tempting summer menus, enjoy freshly shucked oysters and taste the wines of select boutique vintners. Live music. The silent auction will feature an expanded selection of very special luxury travel. Benefitting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels 

August 1-4, 2013  18th Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza
Mammoth Lakes, California
Mammoth's Festival of Beers features more than 70 of the country's best microbreweries. Along with the beer and blues, a "Blues-style" BBQ and plenty of other food will satisfy the heartiest of appetites and keep the party going. Don't forget the Sunday Morning Hangover Party.

August 2-4, 2013  65th Annual La Habra Corn Festival - La Habra, California
Food, Rides, Games, Music and Fun for the Whole Family. Meet Miss La Habra and her court when you purchase raffle tickets for a New Car or other great Prizes. Enjoy hot buttery Corn on the Cob, great Sandwiches, sweet warm Funnel Cakes and other Tasty Treats. Be sure to visit the new Corn Festival Marketplace.

August 3, 2013  Plate by Plate Annual Tasting Benefit - Los Angeles, California
This signature gala will once again showcase savory food and dessert delicacies prepared by talented chefs from the best restaurants in Los Angeles, as well as samplings from premier wineries and beverage companies. 
 
August 3, 2013  5th Annual Soul Food Festival - Stockton, California
Live music, great food, carnival rides, pony rides, classic car shows, free prizes..and much more.

August 3, 2013  Outdoor Hunting Expo - Stockton, California
This event, The Outdoor Hunting Expo is a one day hunter extravaganza for all ages. It includes FREE target shooting, Vendor Booths, Food Booths, swap meet and a JR trap Shoot. Proceeds from this event help fund the California Hunting Hertage Program and the Stockton Sportsmen's Club Junior, Women & Disabled Hunting Programs.

August 3-4, 2013  626 Night Market - Arcadia, California
The 626 Night Market is the largest Asian night market in the U.S. featuring over 150 local restaurants, food vendors, entrepreneurs, merchandise vendors, artists, musicians, and non-profit groups. Night markets are a staple in Asian societies with the primary focus on hundreds of different Asian street food and merchandise vendors. The 626 Night Market brings the energy and spirit of Asian night markets to Los Angeles. June 8-9; July 6-7 & August 3-4, 2013.

August 3-4, 2013  20th Annual Long Beach Crawfish Festival - Long Beach, California
The Long Beach Crawfish Festival serves Cajun Crawfish dinners that include red baby potatoes, buttery corn on the cob and delectable remoulade dipping sauce. You can dance to Cajun and Zydeco Bands, join the Second Line Dancing Parade, enjoy the beach bars, culture and Big Easy atmosphere. General Admission is $15, with Crawfish Feast and Crawfish Buckets ranging from $38 to $48. Presale discount tickets available. Children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult. The festival is located at Rainbow Lagoon, 400-403 Shoreline Village Drive and is open from 12pm to 11pm on Saturday and 12pm to 10pm on Sunday. For additional information call 562-495-5959.

August 10, 2013  Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival - Yorkville, California
Boar And Lamb BBQ, Over 30 Local Wines, Live Music, Grape Stomp, Silent Auction

August 10, 2013  California Beer Festival--Santa Cruz
Aptos Village Park, Aptos, California
Beautiful Aptos Village Park will be the site of the festival, with over 70 craft beers, three bands, mouth watering food, and bocce ball. The CBF's main goal is to shine a light on the craft beer movement and celebrate great beer. 

August 10, 2013  7th Annual San Rafael Food & Wine Festival - San Rafael, California
Festival-goers will enjoy food from area restaurants and sample wines from 25 of the region's outstanding boutique wineries. In addition, there will be a chef demonstration area featuring a number of area restaurants. Admission to the event is free.

August 12-13, 2013  Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition - San Diego, California
Internationally recognized industry experts, in a blind tasting, will select which brands will be awarded the coveted 2013 Spirits of Mexico Medals. Please note that this is not a public event.

August 16-18, 2013  52nd Annual Sunland-Tujunga Watermelon Festival
Pasadena, California
Watermelon carving demonstrations, recipe, eating, seed spitting and wearable art contests. Live music, bazaar market place, arcade and watermelon themed games, an array of festival food favorites and beverages. Fun for the whole family. $10 for adults, $5 for children. Festival times are Friday from 4pm to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 10pm. 

August 16-18, 2013  3rd Annual Long Beach BBQ Festival - Long Beach, California
The best BBQ Chefs from around the country gather to grill award-winning ribs, chicken, sausage, pulled pork and other delicacies. Judging and trophies are awarded to both amateur and professional participants. Two stages provide entertainment for adults and children with artisan exhibits and cantinas. General admission tickets are $15.00. Food items range from $2.00 to $25.00. VIP tickets are $75.00. Children's tickets are $10.00. Presale advance tickets are available through the website. 

August 17, 2013  LA Taco Festival - Los Angeles, California
Join us for the 3rd Annual LA Taco Festival, welcoming back our Pinches Tacos, Tacos Candelas and the addition of ten new taco vendors! Featuring live music, artists, community resources and more!

August 17-18, 2013  4th Annual Sausage & Beer Festival - Cherry Valley, California

August 17-18, 2013  18th Annual Grape to Glass - Russian River Valley, California
Created, organized and hosted by the people of the Russian River Valley, Grape to Glass encourages you to live like a local as you indulge in a weekend of Northern California wine country living.

August 18-20, 2013  Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo - Los Angeles, California
The Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo is the only all-encompassing event in California for the restaurant and foodservice industry, making it THE one-stop source for everything you need to succeed in today's market.  We are pleased to co-locate the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo with Expo Comida Latina.

August 18-20, 2013  Expo Comida Latina - Los Angeles, California
Expo Comida Latina is three days of total immersion in authentic, specialty gourmet and mainstream Hispanic American food and beverages.  Expo Comida Latina and the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo will both take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2013

August 22, 2013  3rd Annual Noe Valley Wine Walk - San Francisco, California
The tasting event will be located throughout 24th Street from Diamond to Chattanooga and will include restaurants and merchants offering wine samples, finger foods and special treats. There will be a free cable car shuttle making designated stops to pick up and drop off attendees during the event.

August 23-25, 2013  Make-A-Wish Tuna Challenge - San Diego, California
Since 1991, the annual Tuna Challenge has raised over $2.6 million to make wishes come true. The event is the largest tuna fishing competition in the continental United States, and the largest fundraiser of the year for Make-A-Wish San Diego. 
(also: www.makeawish-sd.org/calendar/ )

August 24, 2013  Taste of Brews - Long Beach, California
Taste of Brews is heading to Lighthouse Park in Long Beach on Sat., August 24th, 2013 for a summer festival featuring dozens of seasonal, craft and micro-brews paired alongside cuisine from local eateries. Admission includes craft beer tastes, snacks, water and more. Food trucks will be selling delicious beer friendly food and local restaurants will also be on hand sampling their best.

August 24-25, 2013  19th Annual Bodega Bay Seafood Art & Wine Festival
Bodega, California
Featuring a wide array of seafood entrees from various restaurants and catering companies, along with a large wine and microbrew tasting. The wine tasting will feature 30 wineries from Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties. A juried high quality art and craft marketplace, and lots of great entertainment. The event benefits the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and the Bodega volunteer fire dept.

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

It was cold outside this morning. Many things are worse than waking up an going outside into the freezing cold, but this salad isn’t one of them. As we are literally just a week and a half away from Thanksgiving Day, everyone by now should be on point in watching what and how much they are eating. Right around now, I find myself in the kitchen for days on end, making recipes for other people, taking care of catering orders and preparing to feed my family and friends, not because it is Thanksgiving, but because that is what I enjoy doing.

This is a quick and easy Mediterranean Tuna Salad recipe that uses makes short work of any cooking, leaving more time for eating, enjoying and getting back to what you have to do for the day.

Enjoy!

(click Read More for the entire recipe)

Recipe Of The Day: Tuna Tataki & Watermelon Salad w/ Lemon Wasabi Dressing

With today being National Watermelon Day and us getting such an amazing response to yesterdays Seared Tuna recipe, we figured why not make one of our most favorite salads? The Tuna Tataki Salad, a staple in our test kitchens (when we feel like eating healthy that is) and is a dish in which each and every bite is loaded with explosively astounding flavors.
The marinated watermelon becomes so moist and juicy, but not overly mushy and soft as you would expect it to become. The crispness of the mesclun greens and freshness of the avocado slices are brought to life with the light and airy Lemon-Wasabi Dressing.

But with all of those beautiful ingredients, comes the masterpiece of finishing touches and that is the Seared Tuna. Beautiful Sashimi Grade Tuna takes center stage in this recipe and shines like the deep blue oceans it once swam freely in.
This is a great recipe for Summertime (or anytime for that matter,) because it is light and full of healthy ingredients, which makes it perfect for aiding in recuperating from a previous night of drinking, dancing or whatever you may have done that has you feeling washed out.
Enjoy!!

Recipe Of The Day: Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks w/ Jalapeno Mango Salsa

The first week of August is always a brutal but fun time in Southern California. The blistering heat really begins to kick into high gear, causing the roadways and beaches to become way beyond overcrowded with people, looking for some form of release.
BBQs, family reunions, cookouts and fish fries start popping up every other weekend  around town and when all of these things combine, some of the greatest food known to mankind becomes readily available, everywhere.

We got a request for a great Summertime seafood recipe that wasn't fried, and we decided what better than a healthy piece of Tuna seared to perfection, topped off with a Jalapeno & Mango Salsa?
The key to the Tuna coming out right, is to have your pan extremely hot before you put the fish in. Too often people think the pan is hot, they drop in their fish and end up having to overcook it because the pan wasn't at the right temperature before beginning to sear of their beloved Tuna.
Take your time, have everything ready before trying to cook this, because scrambling around the kitchen, last minute looking for items will surely result in a ruined dish.
Enjoy!