EXPERIENCES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
Perfect Pairings: Salt’s Chef Okan Kizilbayir & Vin Fraîche Wine Founder, Sommelier Michael Kennedy
The art of pairing food and wines is demonstrated to a small group by Chef Okan and sommelier Michael Kennedy who perfected the art of pairing while working together at Blue by Eric Ripert. Generous wine pours and delicious bites abound as they debunk long-lived wine myths and expand participants’ appreciation of pairing wines.
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Seaside Room
Latin-Inspired al fresco Dinner and Cocktails
Four acclaimed Chefs, including Amelia Island’s Chef Papi Arnaldo Gonzalez of Coquina, Bachelor Gulch’s Manuel Gutierrez of Wyld and Fort Lauderdale’s Paula Da Silva and Adrienne Grenier of Burlock Coast collaborate to lead an exploration of flavors from Brazil, Argentina and Puerto Rico. They’re joined by pastry chef Carissa Da Silva and mixologist Jean-Pierre Belonni who will be serving up cocktails inspired by their flavorful menu.
Reception at 6 p.m. | Dinner at 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Coquina Restaurant
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
Chefs Theater
Salt restaurant Chef Okan Kizilbayir refreshes the traditional cooking school format with an intimate gathering at the demonstration table to learn how to prepare two themed entrees. He is accompanied by Giuliana Tomatis of G Sweets Pastry who will demonstrate the preparation of a decadent dessert and mixologist Simon Crompton of Door No. 4. Each dish is paired with wines to be savored while engaging with Okan, Giuliana and Simon.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Salt Restaurant
Amelia Island Cookout
Meet and mingle with extraordinary chefs as they take their best work out of the kitchen and bring it outdoors for a cookout. With an unforgettable backdrop of dunes and ocean, enjoy sizzling seafood, grilled and slow-roasted meats and other creations from national chefs and local favorites including David’s, España, Matthew’s and The Omni, along with abundant wine and cocktails from expert mixologists, desserts and entertainment. The event will be emceed by Dylan Benoit, host of the Food Network Canada/Cooking Channel television series Fire Masters.
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Oceanfront Lawn
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
Tomorrow’s Culinary Brunch
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island’s Executive Chef Garrett Gooch and team will treat attendees to a lavish brunch, which they can enjoy while watching an interactive cooking competition between college students, judged by Chef Okan and a panel of visiting Master Chefs. Supporting both charitable causes and rising culinary talent, a portion of proceeds from the brunch will be donated to the Barnabas Food Pantry.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Ritz-Carlton Ballroom Foyer
Master Chefs Dinner
Salt restaurant provides the perfect setting for the grand finale event of the weekend, The Master Chefs Dinner. The five-course collaboration dinner prepared by Chef Okan and an expert team of guest Master Chefs reflects each chef’s style, personal specialties and varied ingredients, along with artful wine pairings by sommelier Michael Kennedy. Guest chefs include Michelin Star Chef John Tesar of Knife and Spoon at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Lakes, Ron Hsu of Lazy Betty in Atlanta, Jae-Eun Jung of KJUN NYC and Giuliana Tomatis, pastry chef and owner of G Sweets.
Reception at 6 p.m. | Dinner at 6:30 p.m. | Salt Restaurant