Tyler Florence Brings New Cookbook and Culinary Flair to a New O.C. Food Festival

Tyler Florence’s to-do list must be long enough to stretch the length of the Golden Gate Bridge. OK— that’s a bit hyperbolic. But this is one busy guy. His 17th cookbook, “American Grill: 125 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire,” hit the market in the spring. That was right around the same time the Bay Area-based Food Network star wrapped filming the 17th season of “The Great Food Truck Race,” which is one of the channel’s most popular shows. He’s currently on tour promoting “American Grill. (“I’m really proud of this book,” he says, adding that it includes “new live-fi re techniques, foolproof recipes, and global flavors.”) And in addition to managing two uber-popular San Francisco restaurants— Wayfare Tavern and Miller & Lux—he recently opened a pair of cafes in the city’s Union Square and set up a second Miller & Lux kitchen at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island. Now, somehow, the award-winning chef has found time to headline a much-anticipated food, wine, and spirits festival, Relish, scheduled for Aug. 23 through 25 at VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa.

“I spend so much time either on the road shooting or in my restaurants cooking,” Florence says. “Food festivals like Relish give me a chance to get out, see old friends and colleagues, Relishing the Moment meet new people, and just talk to people face-to-face. I think Southern California has some really exciting talent, restaurants, and fresh produce and ingredients, so it’s always exciting to sample some of the local cuisine and see what other great chefs are doing.” Although he and the event’s founder— O.C.-based Chef Jamie Gwen—are mum on the details, Florence says he’ll host an exclusive Saturday evening engagement with live entertainment and, of course, terrific food and drink. “There are always good surprises in store when we show up,” Florence says. “My corporate chef, Matt Masera, and I really consider each location carefully when menu planning, and we’re working on something fabulous. We’re excited to do something different. My summer is mostly about live-fire cooking … and these dishes will be a bit of a departure from that, which will be fun.”

The festival, which lists Visit Newport Beach and Bloomingdale’s among its sponsors, is on track to feature an impressive lineup of culinary talent, many of whom Gwen has met during her own television appearances or on her nationally syndicated radio show, which is how she came to know Florence 15 years ago. They’ve been friends ever since. “He pours his heart and soul into every project, and he’s loyal to his roots and his history of success in Northern California,” says Gwen. “He’s had an incredibly long run in the industry. ... I admire his work ethic and his hunger to always do something greater.”

The whole weekend has the potential for a bounty of delicious fun, with James Beard-caliber talent from all over the country leading a series of events. In other words, this won’t be your average food fest. It will be a weekend of experiences and tastes that you won’t otherwise find in Orange County. And there’s even a direct James Beard Foundation connection—a first for an O.C. food event. A portion of the proceeds from the festival will be donated to the esteemed nonprofit organization, which celebrates and supports the people driving the nation’s food culture and advocates for new standards in the restaurant industry. “It’s going to be a bespoke, spectacular gastronomic weekend,” says Gwen, who’s partnered with celebrity event planner Nicole Hirsty of Cobalt Events to help with the festival’s production, management, and design. “From celebrity chefs and renowned winemakers to exclusive classes with chefs, farmers, and artisans ... the weekend is guaranteed to be delicious.”

Gwen envisions this fete being followed by other “edutainment” concepts under the Relish name and hopes to take the concept to other areas of the country. “My dream is to take it to Nashville next,” she says. “I love the food scene and the country music vibe.” The festival begins with an opening night party on Friday, followed by a private dinner featuring another acclaimed Food Network personality, Chef Scott Conant, who’s opened restaurants across the country and authored four cookbooks. Other notable talents include Pastry Chef Gale Gand, cheese master Afrim Pristine, and legendary winemaker Bob Cabral, who’s created nectars for wineries such as Bricoleur Vineyards and Williams Selyem.

“I’m especially thrilled to kick off Relish on Friday night,” says Gwen. “We’ll be showcasing recipes from each participating chef and offering tastes of their best dishes. We have our resident mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim of ‘Iron Chef’ fame curating cocktails for the evening, and we have some extraordinary entertainment to showcase. It’s going to be an incredible party.”

Cast of Talent

The weekend features a lineup of accomplished culinary leaders. Here’s a little bit about each.

BOB CABRAL: Award-winning winemaker

Based in Sonoma County

Has been making wines since the 1970s

Credited for making the first 100-point pinot noir in North America

Created nectars for respected labels such as Bricoleur, Three Sticks, and Williams Selyem

Wine Enthusiast named him Winemaker of the Year in 2011.

Founded Bob Cabral Wines in 2015 and produces a number of varietals, including a 2022 rose of pinot noir cuvee called American Girl, a 2019 chardonnay cuvee called Anne Rose, and a 2018 pinot noir from Fillmore and Sonoma Coast

SCOTT CONANT: Chef, restaurateur, and Food Network personality

Based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Has opened numerous celebrated Italian restaurants, including New York’s L’Impero in 2002, which was named Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation. Many other accolades and dining establishments have followed.

Has served as a judge on the popular TV series “Chopped” since 2009

Authored multiple cookbooks, including “Peace, Love, and Pasta: Simple and Elegant Recipes from a Chef’s Home Kitchen”

TYLER FLORENCE: Chef, restaurateur, and Food Network personality

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area

Owns five restaurants, including Miller & Lux fine dining establishments in San Francisco and at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island

List of TV shows include “Great Food Truck Race” and “Tyler’s Ultimate”

Author of 17 cookbooks

Currently on tour for his most recent book, “American Grill: 125 Recipes for Mastering Live Fire”

GALE GAND: Pastry chef, restaurateur, and Food Network personality

Based in Chicago

Earned two James Beard Foundation awards—in 2001 for Outstanding Pastry Chef and in 2007 for Outstanding Service at her restaurant, Tru

Host of Food Network’s “Sweet Dreams”

Authored eight cookbooks and created her own soft drink line, Gale’s Root Beer

TONY ABOU-GANIM: Mixologist

Based in Las Vegas

World-renown mixologist

Developed cocktail programs for Las Vegas’ Bellagio, Allegiant Stadium, and T Mobile Arena

Won three “Iron Chef America” competitions, pairing cocktails with Mario Batali, Jose Garces, and Shawn McClain

Authored “The Modern Mixologist: Contemporary Classic Cocktails” and “Vodka Distilled: The Modern Mixologist on Vodka and Vodka Cocktails”

Created The Modern Mixologist bar tool line

CHRIS KAJANI: Winemaker and president, Bouchaine

Based in Napa

Earned a master’s degree in viticulture and enology at UC Davis

Has served as Bouchaine’s winemaker since 2015, and also led the sales and hospitality programs as general manager

Promoted to her current role as president last year

Places great emphasis on practicing sustainable viticulture

AFRIM PRISTINE: Cheese master

Based in Toronto

The world’s youngest cheese master and the only one in Canada

Co-owns the Cheese Boutique, founded by his father and grandfather in 1970

Studied cheese making and held apprenticeships throughout Europe

Hosts “Cheese: A Love Story” on Hulu

Author of “For the Love of Cheese: Recipes and Wisdom From the Cheese Boutique”

AARTI SEQUERA: Cookbook author, journalist, and Food Network personality

Based in Raleigh, N.C.

Born in Mumbai, India

Won Season 6 of “The Next Food Network Star” and hosts Food Network’s “Aarti Party”

Describes her signature food style as American favorites with an Indian soul

Competed on and won episodes of “Chopped,” “Cutthroat Kitchen,” and “Guy’s Grocery Games”

Authored several cookbooks, including “Unwind: A Devotional Cookbook for the Harried & Hungry”

ZAC YOUNG: Pastry chef

Based in New York

Considered one of the nation’s top pastry chefs

Competed in Bravo’s first season of “Top Chef: Just Desserts” and made it to the final four

Served as a judge on several Food Network shows, including “Beat Bobby Flay,” “Chopped,” and “Halloween Baking Championship”

Created the PieCaken, a three-layered dessert featuring combinations of pie fillings and cakes, and has influenced dessert programs at a number of eateries, including Flex Mussels Restaurants in New York, where his donuts landed among The New York Times’ list of top 10 donuts in the city

Owns Zac Young’s Sprinkletown Donuts & Ice Cream in Connecticut, which invites guests to customize their sweet treats

Visit the Relish Website for more information: relishfoodwine.com