Review: 2026 Hollywood on the Coast Food & Wine Festival 

On June 13, 2026, Hollywood on the Coast Food & Wine Festival debuted at the swanky Fairmont Miramar Hotels & Bungalows in Santa Monica. Event Producer Shelby Russell the former Publisher of Los Angeles Magazine, has teamed up once again with Chef Neal Fraser (Redbird/Vibiana) to create the all new food festival. The duo previously collaborated on the highly successful annual event – Manhattan Beach Food Festival. I have attended since inception, see my review links at the bottom of this article. While the Hollywood on the Coast Food & Wine Festival celebrates culinary excellence, the philanthropy element of the experience is the most important. The two charitable organizations: Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California and Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation will receive 100% of proceeds from the evening.  

2026 Hollywood on the Coast

First off I just love the Fairmont Miramar. Its grounds were a perfect location for such indulgence. This is also the home of FIG Santa Monica. It is a favorite of mine, and I have also reviewed the restaurant. See below for link. This year, Chef Joseph Cook created a delectable Seared Scallop with Brown Butter Coconut Ponzu, Green Curry Coconut tuile, and Basil oil. Wow – this was unbelievable. The scallop was massive and oh so tender, and the sauce was outrageous. 

Kurt Russell’s Gogi Wines

As I munched on this tremendous delicious scallop I spotted Gogi Wines. I went with a 2019 Pinot Noir, which was a lovely companion for the last bit of my scallop. This is when it dawned on me, “Hey this is Kurt Russell’s wine.” It was good. Luke Franco filled me in on a bit of the history. Basically all of the wine names pay tribute to the actor’s family. The 2019 Pinot Noir Buddy Boy is named after Russell’s grandson. It was created in partnership with Ampelos Cellars. The burgundy style red offered bright red fruity flavor with earthy tones. I even went back for seconds. 

Host Chef Neal Fraser wowed us New Caledonia Shrimp and Grits with Cocoa Nib Chipolte Mole. These were cooked to perfection, and I love the grits and the mole gave it an additional perky flair. 

Since I arrived relatively early for the VIP portion, I was able to walk the grounds and take it all in, then decide what to try next. I made a quick stop at Crossroads Kitchen Los Angeles. Chef Tai Ronen created a Porcini Mushroom Torchon, Pickled Ramps, and Luxardo Cherry. This Vegan treat was delectable with a crusty petite edible bowl filled with lush mushroom mousse. Yum so good. 

Once I spotted Citrin, I knew there would be a rush, so I immediately swooped in for a taste. Three Michelin starred Chef Josiah Citrin does it again. He is the owner of an impressive seven restaurants – Mélisse, Citrin, Openaire, Charcoal Venice, Dear John’s, Dear Jane’s and Angie’s on Main.

Chef Josiah masterfully created a work of art with King Salmon as the main attraction. The dish was made with Red Wine Velouté, Green Tomato, Lemon Verbena. While the Brown Butter Whey Sauce was whipped up into a beautiful foam surrounding the fish. It looked exquisite, and the taste was so delicate and mesmerizing. The buttery fish alone was superb, but the lemon verbena and the red wine velouté took it to a whole new level. It was truly amazing. 

I was enjoying the a delicious pinot noir from Fun Mom Wines when I was taken aback by the East Coast Oysters spread on a massive bed of ice. Courtesy of The Lobster, Chef Govind Armstrong offered a Peach & Jalapeño Mignonette as the perfect companion. These were incredible and the sauce was to die for. 

Food Festival Stroll

When My husband and I attend these foodie events we often go off on our own food festival stroll and then find each other later and discuss our favorites. Upon meeting again, he told me that someone he used to work with was here, and he wanted me to meet her. It turned out that earlier in the night I had tasted her delicious offering. It was a scrumptious Crispy Potato Galette topped with Smoked Salmon, Dill creme, and chives. I really enjoyed the flavor combo of salmon and dill creme on the potato, it was a yummy combo. This was provided by Jennifer Naylor Catering. 

Needless to say it turned out that Jennifer used to work with my husband Rich at Wolfgang Puck’s Granita Restaurant. Jennifer was one of the Chefs at the restaurants while Rich was hired by Granita’s designer and wife of Puck Barbara Lazaroff to create an artistic aquarium. Rich built a long career creating highly unusual designer aquariums for many celebrities. See link below for info and website.  

A Wild local Bluefin Tuna Tostada with chili crunch oil, apple, ginger, radish, ponzu by Chef Dustin Trani lured me in with a sampling. So good. With food this good, I can see why he and his family own three San Pedro restaurants – J. Trani’s Ristorante, Trani’s Dockside Station and The Majestic. 

After another hour or so, I found my husband one more time, smiling over a plate of beef. Chef Raphael Lunetta from Lunetta Santa Monica had been grilling steaks throughout the evening. I nabbed a bite of his grilled N.Y. Steak. I especially liked the sweet summer corn confit which came with it. That was mighty fine. Additional ingredients such as roasted Ancho chili. white wine au jus, unami torpedo onion all rounded out the dish. 

Last but not least Chef Ryan Saporito of Wife and the Somm tempted us with another one of his original dishes. His Poached Wild Caught Tiger Prawn (chilled Miso Shiru, Tsukudani, shaved Santa Barbara uni, local scallions) was simply divine. Then we finally had a chance to talk with Emporium Thai owner John Sungkamee. We both really love the food, and I also reviewed this restaurant (see link below). We enjoyed a bowl of Thai Crab Curry with veggies. As always, the flavor was spot on. This is a three generation curry recipe, and it is fantastic. 

It was a fab night of culinary stars, delicious cuisine – all in support of two important organizations: Variety – The Children’s Charity of Southern California and Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. Best of all these charities walk away with 100% of the day’s proceeds. 

Can’t wait till next year. Find out more about Hollywood on the Coast Food & Wine Festival on the website – https://www.hollywoodonthecoast.com/

See below for promised links:
Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Review / FIG Santa Monica Review / Richard Bilow Article / Richard Bilow Art Website / Emporium Thai Review /