You might call “Cohn-Chella” a mini festival within the San Diego Food + Wine Festival.
“Cohn Restaurant Group always has some surprises and delights in their area,” SDFWF co-founder Michelle Metter said.
This is the 22nd time the much-anticipated and highly acclaimed SDFWF will take over Embarcadero Marina Park North in downtown San Diego for its Grand Weekend celebration. Weekend events include:
- The new opening night Icons & Legends Party presented by Blacklane at the JULEP Venue on Friday, Nov. 6.
- The afternoon Grand Tasting extravaganza presented by Southwest Airlines on Embarcadero Marina Park North on Saturday, Nov. 7.
- The final-day Grand Fiesta celebration presented by Southwest Airlines. For the first time, the Fiesta is also being held at Embarcadero Marina Park on Sunday, Nov. 8.
AS A SAN DIEGO FOOD + WINE FESTIVAL media sponsor, The San Diego Sun has free tickets to award to readers. This week, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to all three Grand Weekend events: Icons & Legends, Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta. To be eligible to win tickets, first, subscribe to The Sun’s free, weekly newsletter. Then, go to The Sun’s Instagram page and post about why you want to win tickets. FYI: We’ll notice if you tag friends and encourage them to sign up for the newsletter and post, too. ☀️
This will be the fifth year the Cohn Restaurant Group (now with 24 concepts in its stable) has had its own festival-within-a-festival area at the SDFWF.
CRG Beverage Director Maurice DiMarino recalls the company’s first activation effort, called Camp Cohn.
“It was fun and we had the restaurants surrounding a teepee, like a camp,” DiMarino said. “But we gave out camp whistles to people, and I don’t think that went over so well.”
Live and learn. This will be the fourth appearance of Cohn-Chella. DiMarino said he’s been to more Coachella Music Festivals than he can remember. That was the inspiration for the name and it stuck.
Since both the Grand Tasting and Grand Fiesta are being held on the same site, this will be the first time Cohn-Chella will appear at both bayside events.
For the Saturday Grand Tasting, CRG will feature four of their restaurants: 333 Pacific, The Prado, Del’s Hideout and Con Pane.
Sunday participants will again include Del’s Hideout joined by Coasterra and Casa Gabriella.
Both events will feature the musical stylings of DJ Byrd. He’ll spin party music on Saturday and Latintronica songs on Sunday.
“Cohn-Chella is a party,” DiMarino said. “We like to create a space that people won’t forget. As the afternoon goes on and festival goers sample beverages all over the grassy lawn, many do return to the 100-by-100-square foot Cohn-Chella party plot to get their dance on.
“That’s when we feel like we’re so much a part of what San Diego is, DiMarino said. “No other festival brings it all together like Michelle [Metter] and her team does. We’re out here on the bay, and the city is all around you. This is San Diego.”
DiMarino hints there will be a hidden speakeasy in Cohn-Chella this year. CRG will also give out a limited supply of cowboy hats on Saturday. On Sunday, people will be able to paint and keep their own cántaros (earthenware clay cups).
For a full list of the more than 350 vendors, brands, participating chefs and other festival happenings, go to: San Diego Food + Wine Festival. SDSun
