SAN DIEGO, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Harrah's Rincon treats Total Rewards cardholders to a culinary VIP experience at this year's 9^th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival as part of its sponsorship with the epicurean classic.  As Presenting Sponsor of the Grand Tasting's VIP Tent and experience, Harrah's hosts select Total Rewards cardholders and VIP ticket holders at the food and wine festival with live entertainment, legendary wineries, spirits, gourmet cuisine and gifts, said Michelle Metter, co-producer of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival.

Held November 14-18, 2012, the Festival brings together the nation's most prestigious chefs, legendary winemakers and wineries from across the globe for a weeklong series of culinary and wine events.  In addition to sponsoring the VIP Tent during the Festival's Grand Tasting, Harrah's Rincon is Title Sponsor of Shaking Up America's Burger Classics Presented by Harrah's Rincon, a cooking class featuring Chef Kerry Simon of Kerry's Gourmet Burgers located in Harrah's Las Vegas and Chef Jon Palsson of Harrah's Rincon.

"We are excited to be working with such a great team of celebrity chefs through our partnership with Harrah's Rincon," added Metter.  "It's clear that Harrah's and the Festival both share a passion for excellent food and wine, and we look forward to seeing that passion come to life with Harrah's involvement in the Festival."

Shaking Up America's Burgers Classics Presented by Harrah's Rincon takes place on Friday, November 16 at the Macy's School of Cooking from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.  In this class, award-winning chefs Kerry Simon and Jon Palsson take on an American combination of burgers and milkshakes and elevate it to new gourmet heights, putting their own twist on the frothy and chilled classic with spices and flavors fit for the refined taste buds of foodie enthusiasts.  Tickets for the class are $55 per person and include cooking instruction and tasting.

Simon will also be one of eight chefs preparing a course for the Wine Spectator Celebrity Chef Luncheon & Live Auction, a nationally acclaimed 6-course dinner featuring eight award-winning celebrity chefs from across the country and a live auction benefiting culinary and enology arts scholarships awarded by the American Institute of Wine & Food and the Chaine des Rotisseurs.  Dubbed the "Rock-n-Roll" chef by Rolling Stone Magazine, Simon brings a certain edge to the culinary world, combining his passion for music and the culinary arts.  For his luncheon course, Simon will prepare 8 oz. Rosemary Marinated Creekstone Skirt Steak, Marbled Fingerling Potatoes, Morel Mushrooms, Fava Beans, Chive Oil and Lychee Pearls.  The Wine Spectator Celebrity Chef Luncheon & Live Auction is the culmination of the wine and food festival and takes place on Sunday, November 18 at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina.  Tickets are $200 per seat and include wine pairings for each course from one of 15 legendary wineries.

Harrah Rincon's largest presence will take place at the wine and food festival's Grand Tasting Event as Presenting Sponsor of the VIP Tent on Saturday, November 17.  VIP tickets are $200 per person and include exclusive benefits only available to VIP pass-holders.

Attendees who purchase the VIP pass will enjoy:

• Early Entry Into the Grand Tasting
• VIP Gift Bag With Official Festival Poster, T-Shirt, and More
• Exclusive Access into the VIP Tent Presented by Harrah's Rincon
• Premier Wine, Spirits, Brews, Food Stations and Live Entertainment

In addition, all attendees will get to taste from 170 wineries, breweries and spirit purveyors and 70 of San Diego's top chefs and restaurants.  Attendees will also enjoy gourmet foods, art, a celebrity chef cookbook signing, and live musical entertainment on both ends of the Festival.  The Grand Tasting is host to the Festival's Chef of the Fest Competition, an action-packed culinary showdown, where chefs battle it out for the title of "Chef of the Fest" and up to $50,000 in cash and prizes.

A complete schedule of events, tickets and hotel packages for the weeklong San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival are available online at www.sandiegowineclassic.com.

Platinum level sponsors of the San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival include Harrah's Rincon, San Diego Tourism Marketing District, Buick, Southwest Airlines, Union Bank, Cooking Light Magazine, San Diego Magazine, Cox Communications, and the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina. For a complete list of sponsors, visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com/about.html.

HARRAH'S RINCON

Winner of the AAA Four-Diamond Award, owned by the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians and managed by HCAL, LLC, a Caesars License Company, and Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort is located on the Rincon Reservation at 777 Harrah's Rincon Way (33750 Valley Center Road) in Valley Center, CA, 20 minutes northeast of Escondido. With approximately 1,400 employees and an identity as a top resort-gaming destination, the casino offers state-of-the-art amenities and the unparalleled customer service that has made Harrah's a nationally recognized brand.

SAN DIEGO BAY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

The 9th Annual San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival is an international showcase of the world's premier wine and spirit producers, chefs and culinary personalities, and gourmet foods. Held November 14-18, 2012, the event benefits culinary and enology arts scholarships awarded by the American Institute of Wine & Food and the Chaine des Rotisseurs. Over 800 wines, 70 of San Diego's top fine dining restaurants and gourmet food companies, and exhibitors participated in the 2011 Festival. For more information visit www.sandiegowineclassic.com. Produced by World of Wine Events and Fast Forward Event Productions. For more information call 619-312-1212.    

Contact:
Jessica Gago
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
gago@fastforwardevents.com

SOURCE San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival