The inaugural San Benito Olive Festival on Saturday, October 19, 2013, 11 am to 5 pm, will begin a new tradition of showcasing the rich agricultural bounty and beauty of San Benito County in the California Central Coast region. This new gourmet celebration will feature well-respected growers and premier artisans who handcraft their award winning olive oils, wines, chocolates, dried fruits, teas, preserves and other culinary agricultural products. The event will take place at the scenic and historic Paicines Ranch, 13388 Airline Highway (California Highway 25), in Paicines, about 12 miles south of Hollister.
Festival goers will not only be able to taste award winning olive oils and wines from Oils of Paicines, Brigantino Olive Oil, Pietra Santa Winery, Calera Wine, Casa de Fruta and Guglielmo Winery, among others, but they will also have opportunities to meet and chat with the creators. The selected oils and wines will be paired with an array of premium foods and artisanal creations provided by Running Rooster, San Juan Oaks Dining, Paine’s Restaurant, Marich Premium Chocolates and more.
Festivities include cooking demonstrations by celebrated chefs from various areas of Northern California. They include Dorothy McNett, Central Coast foodie legend and head chef and instructor of the Cooking Club in Pacific Grove; Maurizio Cutrignelli, owner and chef of Maurizio’s in Morgan Hill; and Matt Woolston, owner and chef of the Supper Club and Matteo’s Pizza & Bistro in the Sacramento area. Gilroy Garlic Festival’s popular celebrity chef team of Gene Sakahara and Sam Bozzo, also known as SakaBozzo, will be doing demonstrations and entertaining guests as well.
In addition, Don Landis, “The Olive Guy”, an expert on olives, will be demonstrating three ways to de-bitter olives. Mr. O’s Jazz Band, the Workhouse Poets and other bands will perform a mix of jazz, soul, country and other styles of music throughout the day. Local art and cultural exhibits will be on display from the San Benito County Arts Council and the San Benito County Historical Society.
General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. VIP admission is $30, which includes access to the wine tasting. Tickets are available online. For more details, visit www.sanbenitoolivefestival.com, call (888) 503-3373 or send an email to info@sanbenitoolivefestival.com.