The Heart of the Pacific Wine and Food Classic

It was a beyond perfect day covering the Pacific Wine and Food Classic for International Food, Wine & Travel Writer’s Association. The sun was shining, the breeze blowing, and the drinks were overflowing! I expected to come and find food, drinks, and fun but what I ended up finding was the heart of the Pacific Wine and Food Classic—the stories behind the people serving you.

The event woke me up to those behind the extravagant grub and drinks concocted here. Typically as a travel writer, I know to get the stories of how chefs and winemakers may be inspired in their craft but I had no idea that wasn’t really the focus for this event. Below are highlights of just some of the unbelievable people I met. Whether they make their food differently or live differently, I was inspired and you will be too.

Burger Boss

Speaking of different, California has many burger joints that claim to be but few can hold the title. Burger Boss is one place that can stand tall with this win. The first thing that sets them apart is that you’re the one in charge! You get to build your burgers like a boss and make it exactly how you want it.

I met Kamil, the COO of Burger Boss and their rancher, Dan to try the new SoCal Burger. This made the top of my list of favorite burgers ever with just one bite. Dan prides himself on providing grain-free, natural beef so Burger Boss customers reap the benefits. In my opinion, if the meat of a burger is high grade, you don’t need a lot of toppings so I love that you can put as much or as little as you like on everything at Burger Boss.

The SoCal Burger covered everything a foodie would love: perfectly seasoned all natural grass-fed beef, avocado, pepper jack cheese, tomato, and house-made chipotle aioli. I shook my fist in excitement because it was that good.

 

You can join me in this inevitable fist-shaking ritual because Burger Boss has several locations. Even if you’re not a burger aficionado, they offer different proteins like black bean, chicken, and turkey! Take a look at their full menu here.

Filomenas

After indulging in a burger made by SoCal’s finest, you’d think I couldn’t enjoy anything more but man oh man, the Filomena’s station is one I can’t seem to forget.

I met Owner and Executive Chef Linda Johnsen of Filomenas and was instantly blown away by her dedication to her craft. She explained her routine of finding unprocessed ingredients and even went on to say no matter what kind of hunt she has to go on to find the purest vegetables and spices, she’ll do it because she understands the difference in quality—down to tomatoes! Thoroughly impressed, I understood the difference in quality when I took a bite of the prosciutto wrapped shrimp. Heaven on Earth. Then I moved over to the grilled clams with a white wine and butter sauce and my head just about popped off in bliss. These little things were packed with flavor from simple and pure ingredients. I’m currently craving their clams and truth be told, I’ve been craving them ever since my visit to the Classic. I simply can’t get over them.

While the grilled clams are all I can think about, Linda’s dedication for high-quality cuisine stood out more. I sent everyone I could to her station to not only get awesome bites but also to hear what makes Filomenas, phenomenal!

Michoacan Soul at Chelas

My Father is from Michoacan, so I definitely felt I needed to hit up Chelas’ station and it did not disappoint. I was immediately greeted by Executive Chef Karla Vasquez with a smile. That inviting greeting from her and her team made me feel like I already knew them. At the Classic, I only got a sample of the delectable and flavorful cuisine but that just means I’ll have to pay a visit for the total authentic experience!

Meeting Karla and her team from Chelas reminded me of what home feels like—meals cooked with lots of love. It takes special people to be able to pull that kind of charm and Chelas does it flawlessly. They are successfully carrying on the tradition of healthy and high caliber Mexican fare that started with Rosalia Vargas in Michoacan, Mexico 50 years ago. Check out their story and their menu here, then make it a point to visit their location in Laguna Niguel. You’re going to fall in love!

Atria Senior Living

Poké is just one of those super tasty dishes I could eat daily. Refreshingly light, healthy, you can’t go wrong. So when I pulled up to this poké bar station, my eyes widened when a trio of poké lay before me. Hamachi, Ahi tuna, and salmon. Yes, please! I would have been happy spending the rest of my day there. The poké was so fresh and like butter, melted right in my mouth.

After devouring all three samples, I got to speak with Andrew Schwartz, Divisional Director of Culinary Services who was there representing Atria Senior Living. I was surprised to find this was not your ordinary Poké station. Atria Senior Living is a facility dedicated to creating vibrant communities where older adults realize healthier, happier, more meaningful lives.

 

Speaking with Andrew opened my eyes beyond what I even thought traditional elderly care would look like. They place high priority in providing culinary excellence to their residents. Andrew and the team at Atria believe seniors deserve a fine dining experience. Atria has great chefs that prepare delicious meals. Poké is just one of them. See all of their amenities, including a wide array of fine dining options here.

Believing in More With We Believe Wines

We believe wines are life? Well, yes we do but brother and sister Patrick and Kristen Merrell believe in more than enjoying excellent wine. They believe in a cause and Faith, Family, Freedom as their core values.

We believe when you have faith, family, freedom, your friends, and a great wine, you are truly blessed. Enjoy!

I couldn’t agree with this quote more! As I continued to wander around the Classic, I had already been feeling incredibly lucky to have had so many awe-inspiring encounters with various people. Just as I thought the day couldn’t get any better, I meet Patrick and Kristen. Winemakers, family, and believers in showing firm support to those in the military who protect our freedoms.

I was drawn to their booth because of their name and then was wowed by their story and their wines. The label on their Cabernet Sauvignon itself strikes a chord with you—it’s Lady Liberty standing in front of a vineyard, holding a glass of wine in place of her torch. It’s brilliant and incredibly patriotic. Their grapes are sourced from the Russian River Valley region of Sonoma County. I’m a sucker for a good Cab and this full-bodied wine exceeded my expectations. Its notes of ripe blackberry and oak will make your mouth water.

Proceeds from every bottle go to The Green Barret Foundation and The SEAL Legacy Foundation. You can learn more about their passion for winemaking and for giving back here. This is one brand I will support over and over again. Ok, it’s not just because they have one magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon, they are wonderful people and the cause is heart-warming as well!

A Remarkable Experience

I didn’t just leave the Pacific Wine and Food Classic physically satiated (and tipsy, Thank goodness for Uber.) I left emotionally satiated as well. Behind amazing eats and cocktails were people with extraordinary stories. It’s not just at the Classic either. These people and the devotion to their craft is telling of their zeal for living. This one experience has changed what the meaning of the Pacific Wine and Food Classic is for me. To me, it’s heart, soul, and love.

I’m not missing out on the opportunity to meet spectacular people and hear their stories at next year’s event and you shouldn’t either. Check out the Pacific Wine and Food Classic’s website to keep up to date and get your tickets as soon as their available.

See you there!

*Note: I attended the Pacific Wine and Food Classic as a writer for coverage of the event. All opinions are my own.