Rooted in Craft: The Lodge at Torrey Pines Presents 23rd Annual Celebrate the Craft

LA JOLLA, Calif. — JULY 2026 — The Lodge at Torrey Pines, San Diego’s distinguished AAA Five Diamond resort, will host the 23rd annual Celebrate the Craft culinary festival on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Set on the resort’s picturesque grounds overlooking the iconic Torrey Pines Golf Course and the Pacific Ocean, the signature event celebrates the remarkable community of chefs, farmers, ranchers, vintners, brewers and artisans shaping California’s vibrant culinary landscape. 

Long regarded as La Jolla’s premier outdoor epicurean showcase, Celebrate the Craft brings together some of Southern California’s finest chefs and food artisans alongside regionally grown produce, world-class wine, handcrafted beverages and one-of-a-kind makers. Guests will stroll among thoughtfully curated tasting stations, meet the people behind each creation and experience the close relationships between chefs and the growers and producers who inspire their work.

This year’s festival enters a new chapter under the culinary leadership of The Lodge’s Executive Chef Eric Sakai and A.R. Valentien Chef de Cuisine Owen Beatty, two distinguished Michelin-trained chefs who bring extensive fine-dining experience and a shared commitment to seasonal, ingredient-driven California cuisine.

Raised in Hawaii, Sakai has more than a decade of leadership experience in luxury hospitality and fine dining. His career includes work in Michelin-starred kitchens such as Acquerello and Rubicon in San Francisco, as well as Guido Ristorante in Italy’s Piedmont region. Before joining The Lodge, he served as executive chef of Hall Park Hotel in Texas and held leadership positions at The Ritz-Carlton Las Colinas Resort, Park Hyatt Aviara and Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole. 

Beatty most recently helped open the Carlsbad restaurants Wildland and Lilo, with Lilo earning a Michelin star soon after its debut. He previously served as executive chef of Juniper & Ivy in San Diego and as executive sous chef at the three-Michelin-starred Quince in San Francisco. His background also includes La Toque in Napa and Terra in St. Helena. 

Together, Sakai and Beatty will introduce their culinary perspectives to Celebrate the Craft while continuing The Lodge’s longstanding tradition of honoring the region’s farmers, fishers, ranchers and artisans. 

“Celebrate the Craft reflects everything that drew Owen and me to The Lodge: an extraordinary sense of place, meaningful relationships with local growers and producers, and a belief that the finest cooking begins with respect for the ingredient,” said Eric Sakai. “We’re honored to become part of this beloved San Diego tradition and look forward to welcoming our fellow chefs, producers and guests for an afternoon rooted in seasonality, collaboration and craft.”

A Celebrated Culinary Lineup

This year’s participating chefs represent acclaimed restaurants, hospitality groups and independent culinary ventures throughout Southern California and Baja California:

• Owen Beatty, Chef de Cuisine, A.R. Valentien 
• Shihomi Borillo, Owner, Azuki Sushi 
• Eric Bost, Chef and Owner, Lilo 
• Drew Deckman, Michelin-starred Chef and Owner, Deckman’s Restaurant Group 
• Greg Frey Jr., Executive Chef and Farmer, Golden Door 
• Eric Gallerstein, Chef and Owner, Mastiff Sausage Company 
• Zuliya “Chef ZUZU” Khawaja, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Amateurs 
• Esteban Lluis, Executive Chef, Kaluú 
• Juan Mesa, Chef and Owner, Mesa Agricola 
• Jarrod Moiles, Owner, Moiles Culinary Consulting 
• Benito Molina, Executive Chef and Owner, Manzanilla 
• Moumen Nouri, Chef and Owner, Kous Kous Moroccan Bistro 
• Brian Redzikowski, Executive Chef, Kettner Exchange 
• Jojo Ruiz, Executive Chef and Partner, Clique Hospitality 
• Eric Sakai, Executive Chef, The Lodge at Torrey Pines 
• Claudia Sandoval, Chef, television personality and cookbook author 
• Vince Schofield, Executive Chef, Small Barn 
• Ronnie Schwandt, Executive Chef, Blue Bridge Hospitality 
• Alejandro Sicairos, Executive Chef, Bianchi Pizza & Pasta and Dockside 1953 
• Bryan Stuppy, Executive Chef, Oceana Coastal Kitchen 
• Travis Swikard, Chef and Owner, Callie 
• Oscar Torres, Chef, Animalón 
• Brad Wise, Chef and Owner, Trust Restaurant Group 

The season’s finest ingredients will be showcased as well, supplied by Coleman Family Farms, Dassi Family Farm, Golden Door Farms, K&K Ranch, Liberty Ducks, McGrath Family Farm, PureFish, Schaner Family Farms and TAJ Farms.

An Exceptional Collection of Vintners and Beverages

Celebrate the Craft’s culinary offerings will be complemented by a curated collection of vintners, including Chateau Montelena Winery, Château Peyrassol, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, DAOU Family Estates, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Far Niente Winery, Goldfield Wines, LUX Wines, The Mascot, Navarro Vineyards & Winery, Orin Swift Cellars and Winery, PerUs Wines, Ridge Vineyards, Silver Oak Cellars, Sinegal Estate Winery, and ZD Wines.

Additional beverage partners include Phony Negroni and Storyhouse Spirits, which will debut The Lodge at Torrey Pines Gin, a highly anticipated new signature spirit inspired by and infused with botanicals from the resort's rare namesake Torrey pines.

New VIP Enhancements & Expanded Experiences

New this year, guests can elevate their afternoon with a VIP Enhancement add-on, featuring a custom wine-blending session with Wine Militia, private tastings from OVID Napa Valley and Tequila Komos, and an interactive floral station where guests can create a handcrafted bouquet of seasonal blooms. The enhancements may be added to a general admission ticket for $100, plus applicable taxes and fees. 

The festival will also feature expanded interactive tastings, artisan demonstrations, new entertainment and an enhanced poolside experience highlighting craft cocktails and desserts.

Celebrate the Craft’s growing maker component will spotlight artisans whose work demonstrates the same attention to materials, technique and individual expression found throughout the culinary program. Featured makers include Petite Paloma, presenting custom cowboy boots and The Wheel Stoneware, led by ceramic artist Michael Totah, with live pottery demonstrations. 

Supporting the San Diego Food Bank

For the first time, Celebrate the Craft will welcome the San Diego Food Bank as its community partner. A portion of ticket proceeds will support the organization’s work to alleviate hunger and provide food assistance and hope to individuals and families throughout San Diego County. The partnership reflects Celebrate the Craft’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the community and recognizing the essential role food plays in bringing people together. 

General admission tickets are $375 per person, plus applicable taxes and fees. Guests must be 21 or older. Parking is limited and rideshare transportation is strongly encouraged. Advance self-parking may be purchased, subject to availability. 

For tickets and the most current list of participating chefs and partners, visit CelebrateTheCraft.com.