In March I attended The Ojai Food + Wine Festival, which, in my humble opinion, has quickly found its footing as one of the country’s most compelling culinary gatherings, and in just its third year, already feels like a fully realized statement of purpose, joining the ranks of the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen (and now Charleston) among the best festivals.
Conceived by Ben Kephart, General Manager at the Ojai Valley Inn, the festival reflects both a deep respect for culinary tradition and a forward-looking sense of community.
What sets OFWF apart from so many other festivals I’ve attended is the scale; the entire event is hosted on the gorgeous grounds of the 300-room Ojai Valley Inn, limiting the number of attendees (though a la carte tickets are available for locals, too), so all of the tastings, seminars and gatherings feel super intimate. It’s intimate without feeling small, and ambitious without being overreaching.
This year’s talent roster underscored just how far the festival has come. International icons mingled with industry standout chefs, winemakers, tastemakers and rising voices, creating a dynamic, cross-generational energy. They even flew in Italy’s most famous butcher, Dario Cecchini, the legendary Tuscan butcher from Panzano, to bring his philosophy of soulful, whole-animal cooking to the weekend. His presence alone signaled the festival’s growing global reach.
But Cecchini was far from alone. The lineup featured an impressive range of culinary heavyweights. Chefs included Christopher Kostow, Christina Tosi, Claudette Zepeda, Elizabeth Falkner, Evan Funke, Gavin Kaysen, Hillary Sterling, Jonathan Waxman, Justin Pitchetrungsi, Ludo Lefebvre, Matt Horn, Melissa King, Michael Anthony, Nancy Silverton, Nyesha Arrington, Sean Brock, Suzanne Goin, and Tyson Cole.
Thought leaders included Will Guidara, Ruth Reichl, Dana Cowin and Hunter Lewis. The diversity of talent was part of the magic: Michelin-level precision alongside rustic tradition, media personalities alongside working chefs, all sharing the same stage (and table).
As a longtime contributing editor at Food & Wine—which is the official media sponsor of the festival—I had the opportunity to engage directly with that talent in a series of conversations that were among my personal highlights of the weekend.
I sat down with comedian, author, and podcast host Tom Papa for a live interview that explored the intersection of humor, food, and everyday life. Papa, whose work consistently returns to the idea of “breaking bread” as both literal and emotional nourishment, brought warmth and relatability to the discussion. His reflections on food as an antidote to modern chaos resonated deeply with the audience and perfectly captured the spirit of the festival.
In a different but equally compelling conversation, I interviewed legendary restaurateur Drew Nieporent, whose career spans four decades and includes some of the most influential dining rooms in America. From Montrachet to Nobu, his story is inseparable from the evolution of modern dining. Our discussion touched on risk, reinvention, and the delicate balance between hospitality as art and business—grounding the weekend in a sense of history and perspective.
I also had the pleasure of moderating a seminar with winemaker Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton, joined by the brilliant sommelier and my dear friend Alicia Townes Franken. Together, we explored the Sta. Rita Hills through a series of wines that paired youth and maturity, offering a living study in time, place, and philosophy. Brewer’s concept of “surrendering to the landscape” came vividly to life in the glass, illustrating how great wine can function as both an agricultural product and an emotional narrative.
Beyond these headline moments, the weekend was filled with seminars and experiences that showcased the depth of the programming. There were conversations around sustainability, regional identity, and the future of hospitality, alongside book signings, chef demonstrations, and intimate tastings that allowed guests to interact directly with some of the most influential voices in the industry.
The Opening Party and the Grand Tasting, however, are the spectacular bookends of the whole weekend, where, in addition to the forementioned chefs, a bevvy of beverage world superstars (for a geek like me) poured generously, including Greg Brewer (Brewer-Clifton), Rajat Parr (Sandhi Wines / Domaine de la Côte), Sashi Moorman (Sandhi Wines / Domaine de la Côte), Annie Favia (Favia), Amy Christine (Fine Vintage Ltd.), Andrew Mariani (Scribe Winery), Andy Chabot (Blackberry Farm / Blackberry Mountain), Benjamin Holland (Walson Holland), Tor Kenward (TOR Wines), Olivier Krug (Krug), Nikolas Krankl and Julia Krankl (Fingers Crossed), Naomi Smith (Laurent-Perrier), Maya Dalla Valle (Dalla Valle Vineyard), Maggie Harrison (Antica Terra / Lillian), Matt Dees (Jonata), Larry Stone (Lingua Franca), Julien Howsepian (Kosta Browne), François Vignaud (Harlan Estate), Don Schroeder (Sea Smoke), Carlton McCoy Jr. (Lawrence Wine Estates), Brad Grimes (Abreu Vineyards), Bettina Bryant (Bryant Estate), alongside representatives from from Screaming Eagle, BOND, Promontory, Opus One Winery, RAEN Winery, Tyler Winery, Whitcraft Winery, and Liquid Farm.
It’s easy for festivals to become transactional—lists of names, bites, and pours. What makes Ojai different is that it resists that impulse. There is a rhythm here, a sense that the weekend is designed not just to showcase talent, but to foster genuine interaction.
Conversations linger. Meals stretch. Glasses are refilled not out of obligation, but out of shared enjoyment.
I’ve already been invited to come back next March. Keep an eye on their website, ojaifoodandwine.com, for more info.
Anthony Giglio is a longtime Contributing Editor at FOOD & WINE Magazine, and the founding Wine Director for The American Express Centurion Global Lounge Collection.
