From left: Date Farmer Mark Tadros, Chef Scott Conant, Chef Sherry Yard, Chef Katie Chin, Chef Jamie Gwen, Event Planner Nicole Hirsty, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Chef Kat Turner, Cheesemaster Afrim Pristine, Sommelier Rebecca Rose Phillips. Image credit: Rachael B Photography
The second annual RELISH: A Food, Wine & Spirits Experience, held October 2-4, 2026, brought together industry-leading chefs, master mixologists, celebrated winemakers and epicurean enthusiasts for an unparalleled weekend of culinary excellence. Created by childhood best friends Celebrity Chef Jamie Gwen and Celebrity Event Planner Nicole Hirsty, the unforgettable, three-day gastronomic celebration featured exclusive experiences and tastings by celebrated industry tastemakers including world-renowned chefs Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant and Sherry Yard.
“RELISH was created as a love letter to Orange County, and in its second year, it was extraordinary to see that vision unfold on an even grander scale,” said Gwen. “We are deeply grateful for the remarkable response to RELISH 2026 and proud to have created a weekend of celebrated culinary talent, exquisite hospitality and truly memorable moments.”
The weekend kicked off Friday evening at VEA with a dazzling Opening Night Cocktail Party & Grand Tasting, where guests enjoyed a bespoke evening of chef-curated hors d’oeuvres, interactive food and drink pop-ups, hand-crafted cocktails and award-winning wines. A stunning sunset offered the perfect backdrop to enjoy the exclusive preview of the weekend’s festivities and the rare chance to mingle with the star-studded talent lineup featuring Zakarian, Conant, Yard, Kat Turner, Afrim Pristine, Rebecca Rose Phillips and Katie Chin.
Saturday offered a full day of culinary discovery, starting with Fashion + Food at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza, where guests enjoyed an exclusive luncheon and meet-and-greet with chefs Zakarian and Conant at ANQI at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza. The afternoon continued at The Park Club in Costa Mesa with The Art of Cheese & Wine, led by acclaimed Maître Fromager Afrim Pristine, alongside a limited-attendance knife class with Wolfe Cutlery, Master the Art of the Perfect Cut. The day culminated with the RELISH Culinary Icons Dinner + Sip & Savor Cocktail Hour, where chefs Zakarian and Conant, alongside pastry chef Yard, came together for an intimate, one-night-only, multi-course dining experience that celebrated their signature flavors and creativity.
Sunday began with the RELISH Burgers+Bubbles Brunch, a celebration of culinary creativity featuring chefs Yard and Turner, where imaginative sweet and savory flavors joined together in a feast for the senses with a tasting of some of the best burgers in Orange County, perfectly paired with Veuve Clicquot. The weekend concluded with RELISH in Wellness, a revitalizing retreat that brought together mindfulness, nourishing cuisine and immersive activities, all led by leading Kaiser Permanente doctors and wellness experts, offering guests a restorative opportunity to reconnect, recharge and feel inspired.
Co-Founders Nicole Hirsty (L) & Jamie Gwen (R)
“Creating extraordinary experiences is about so much more than what happens at the table. It’s about the atmosphere, the discoveries, and the meaningful connections that stay with you long after the experience ends,” said Hirsty, co-founder of RELISH. “That philosophy is at the heart of RELISH and we look forward to building on this incredible weekend and establishing RELISH as a destination for unforgettable culinary and lifestyle experiences for years to come.”
RELISH is honored to partner with premier partners, including VEA Newport Beach, The Park Club, Visit Newport Beach, Travel Costa Mesa, Kaiser Permanente, South Coast Plaza, Bloomingdale’s, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Modern Luxury Riviera Orange County, Veuve Clicquot, Belvedere Vodka, Volcan Tequila, Hennessy, Chandon Spritz, Meredith Marks Caviar, Golden Eagle Vodka, Wolfe Cutlery, Drybar, Le Creuset, Levoni Salami, Melissa’s Produce, Hollywood Photo Booth, GINSIX, Certified Angus Beef, Gelson’s Markets, OC Vibe, Katella Commons, Vidivici, Buds Blooms LA, California Dates, Good Karma Chocolate, Wok Star, Viberi, Nelson’s Green Briar Whiskey, Kleos, Ole Bison Bourbon, Barton & Guestier, Brewer-Clifton Wines, Bell Wine Cellars, Foxen Vineyard & Winery, Zuccardi, Jackson Family Wines, Vineyard Brands Wines, ZD Wines, Landing Wines, Austin Hope Wines and more.
For more information on RELISH and to stay up-to-date on future events, visit www.relishfoodwine.com or follow @relishfoodwine on Instagram.
