Rancho Bernardo Inn invites you to 37 hours of food & wine — where acclaimed chefs, curated tastings, and immersive experiences come together for one unforgettable escape, May 2–4, 2025.
Choose Your Culinary Experience
Chef Tour Dinner
Saturday Night | $220
A 6-course dinner crafted by James Beard Award-winning chefs and paired with fine wines and cocktails. The weekend’s crown jewel—an evening of culinary brilliance and refined ambiance.
Includes Friday’s VIP Welcome Reception and Saturday’s Chef Tour Dinner, plus priority seating throughout the weekend. A sophisticated way to experience the very best of Rancho Bernardo Inn.
A two-night stay with full weekend access: Friday’s VIP Reception, Saturday’s culinary classes and Chef Tour Dinner, and Sunday’s Champagne Brunch. An indulgent escape at Rancho Bernardo Inn.
Kick off the weekend with an evening of luxury and indulgence. Join fellow food and wine lovers for an intimate outdoor reception featuring:
Small bites to tantalize your taste buds
A meet-and-greet with James Beard Award-winning chefs
A barrel release celebration for the exclusive RBI Select Bourbon
An extensive selection of wines and cocktails to sip and savor throughout the evening
Saturday, May 3rd | Culinary & Beverage Experience
10:00 AM – Culinary Demo with Chef Jimmy Schmidt
Table 65 Watch a master at work as Chef Jimmy Schmidt leads a hands-on culinary demonstration designed to inspire your cooking at home.
12:00 PM – Knife Skills Class with Wolfe Cutlery
Table 65 Learn how to refine your technique and precision with the experts from Wolfe Cutlery—perfect for home chefs at every level.
2:00 PM – Wine Seminar with Aaron Driver from Cork & Saber
El Biz Explore tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insider tips in an interactive session led by Cork & Saber’s Aaron Driver.
4:00 PM – Cocktail Demo with Celebrity Mixologist Manny Hinojosa
La Tab Patio Go behind the bar with award-winning mixologist Manny Hinojosa and discover how to craft cocktails with fresh ingredients and inventive flair.
7:00 pm - Chef Tour Dinner
AVANT Restaurant The crown jewel of the weekend. Join us for a luxurious 6-course Chef Tour Dinner featuring a collaborative menu by renowned chefs like:
Chef Alex Seidel
Chef Jimmy Schmidt
Chef Casey Thompson
Chef Matt Vawter
Rancho Bernardo Inn culinary team, including Chef Ron Fougeray
Each course is thoughtfully prepared and expertly paired with curated wines and cocktails—an unforgettable evening of culinary brilliance and ambiance.
Sunday, May 4 | A Fond Farewell
8:00 AM | Included in the Luxury Experience Only
Toast the weekend with a relaxed morning brunch featuring breakfast favorites, flowing champagne, and sweeping garden views. Available exclusively to guests who book the full Luxury Experience package.
Meet the Culinary Talent
Meet the Culinary Talent
Chef Jimmy Schmidt
Detroit, MI | James Beard Award Winner - Best Chef Greater Midwest
A pioneer of regional American cuisine, Jimmy Schmidt has shaped the culinary landscape for decades.
As Executive Chef of the London Chop House in Detroit, he championed Midwestern flavors elevated through refined technique—earning early accolades from the New York Times, Food & Wine, and Cooks Illustrated.
His culinary journey continued with the launch of the Rattlesnake restaurants in Denver, Washington D.C., and Palm Springs, where his bold Southwestern and Desert-inspired dishes received national acclaim, including multiple Ivy Awards and a James Beard “Great Chef” recognition.
A three-time James Beard Award winner, Schmidt’s work has been honored in Gourmet, USA Today, and on Top Chef. He has also contributed to culinary education alongside Madeleine Kamman and Harvard’s Young Presidents Organization.
Most recently, his leadership at Morgan’s in the desert helped define a new era of contemporary cuisine in Southern California—celebrated for its focus on flavor, nutrition, and sustainability.
Meet the Culinary Talent
Chef Matt Vawter
Breckenridge, CO | James Beard Award Winner - Best Chef Mountain States
A Colorado native with deep local roots, Chef Matt Vawter has carved out a defining role in the region’s culinary scene.
After graduating from Summit County’s CMC Culinary Program, he cut his teeth in Denver’s top kitchens—including Fruition and Mercantile. There, he rose to executive chef and partner alongside James Beard Award winner Alex Seidel.
In 2020, Matt returned to Breckenridge to open Rootstalk, followed by Radicato—two beloved restaurants that fuse mountain-town charm with elevated technique. A finalist for the James Beard Best Chef: Mountain award, Vawter is known for thoughtful, seasonal cooking that reflects both his alpine upbringing and refined sensibility.
Meet the Culinary Talent
Chef Alex Seidel
Denver, CO | James Beard Award Winner - Best Chef Southwest
Chef Alex Seidel is a nationally celebrated chef, restaurateur, and culinary innovator, known for his modern Midwestern style and commitment to sustainable sourcing.
Seidel was named Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2010 and received the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2018.
He is the former chef-owner of Denver favorites Fruition Restaurant, Mercantile dining & provision, and Füdmill. These concepts earned widespread acclaim from Bon Appétit, Zagat, 5280, and Denver Magazine, with multiple nods for Best Restaurant and Chef of the Year.
In addition to his restaurant ventures, Seidel owns Fruition Farms Creamery—Colorado’s first artisan sheep’s milk creamery—furthering his commitment to sustainable, chef-driven sourcing. Beyond the kitchen, Seidel is an active presence in culinary philanthropy and education. He is a vocal advocate for food access and mindful cooking practices, and his mentorship has launched the careers of chefs and restaurateurs across the country.
Meet the Culinary Talent
Chef Casey Thompson
Sonoma, CA | Top Chef Finalist
A dynamic force in the culinary world, Chef Casey Thompson brings her wine-country sensibility and bold flavors to every plate.
A finalist and “Fan Favorite” on Top Chef Season 3, Casey has since made waves as a recurring competitor on Guy’s Grocery Games and Guy’s Tournament of Champions.
After launching her career at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Casey traveled the world—cooking in Thailand and Argentina, honing her techniques, and deepening her knowledge of global cuisine. Now based in Sonoma, she is Executive Chef at Folktable, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant that reflects her farm-driven, wine-paired approach to cooking.
With each dish, Casey brings the same charisma and creativity that made her a TV standout—earning acclaim from both critics and loyal fans alike.
Meet the Culinary Talent
Manny Hinojosa
Cazadores International Mixologist
A national award-winning mixologist with an unmistakable flair, Manny Hinojosa is known for crafting cocktails with passion, precision, and bold creativity.
He pours each drink with a signature style that’s earned him acclaim across the globe—crafting his own syrups, juices, and garnishes from scratch.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Manny’s deep connection to tequila and Mexican heritage drives his work as the global brand ambassador for Tequila Cazadores and Corzo Tequila. His magnetic presence, encyclopedic tequila knowledge, and unforgettable cocktails have made him a standout at events from coast to coast.
Meet the Culinary Talent
Aaron Driver
Founder, Cork & Saber | Wine Curator & Educator
A seasoned wine expert known for award-winning programs and exclusive tastings for collectors and Fortune 500 leaders.
With over 15 years in the fine wine world, Aaron Driver’s career has spanned winemaking, beverage direction, and top-tier sales.
He’s a familiar face at the San Diego Food & Wine Festival and has contributed to Grand Award-winning wine lists recognized by Wine Spectator. Through his boutique wine brokerage, Cork & Saber, Aaron brings timeless vintages and fresh perspectives to clients across the country—always with a signature blend of passion, precision, and storytelling.
Meet the Culinary Talent
Chef Ron Fougeray
Corporate Executive Chef, JC Resorts
Trained at Le Bec-Fin under legendary chef Georges Perrier, Chef Ron now oversees culinary operations across JC Resorts with a focus on scratch cooking, precision, and elevated technique.
During his nearly seven-year tenure at Philadelphia’s acclaimed Le Bec-Fin—long regarded as America’s finest French restaurant and recipient of the Mobil Travel Guide five-star award—Chef Ron was mentored by the legendary Georges Perrier. Rising to Chef de Cuisine, he absorbed Perrier’s exacting standards for quality, technique, and presentation.
In 2009, he joined Bibou BYOB, where he quickly advanced to Executive Chef. Under his leadership, Bibou was named one of GQ Magazine’s “Top 10 New Restaurants,” a James Beard Finalist for Best New Restaurant, and the #1 restaurant in Philadelphia by NBC.com. The Philadelphia Inquirer awarded Bibou its highest four-bell rating.
Now Corporate Executive Chef for JC Resorts, Chef Ron oversees culinary operations across the resort portfolio, including Rancho Bernardo Inn. He brings a passion for scratch cooking, culinary history, and mentorship—elevating every dish with thoughtfulness, discipline, and flavor.
Limited Tickets Available
Reserve your place today for this one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Whether you're here for the Chef Tour Dinner or the full Luxury Weekend, your senses—and your soul—are in for something unforgettable.
