That Sounds Good! Taste of Temecula Valley Returns to Old Town

Temecula residents and visitors alike can eat, drink and be merry while supporting local schools when the culinary playground, the 6^th Annual Taste of Temecula Valley (TOTV), returns to Old Town Temecula on April 29^th and 30^th.

“The Taste of Temecula Valley is about great food, great beverages, great entertainment, and great fun; all for a great cause,” TOTV Chairman Mark Katan said during a recent interview. “It’s a great Old Town Temecula location and a great place to meet friends and sample offerings from new vendors or old favorites.”

Held rain or shine, the yearly event provides guests the chance to sample some of the valley’s best food and beverage locations, all in one convenient fair-like atmosphere. Food or drink samples average only $2 each, allowing visitors to try a bit of everything and purchase more of their favorites.

With new vendors being added every day, the TOTV team hopes to have over 70 tasty participants this year; far surpassing the last five years’ events.

This year’s vendors include Blue Water Grill, Bushfire Grill, Rustico’s, Devilicious, PF Changs, Hajia’s Ghanian Cuisine, Wiens Family Cellars, Wilson Creek Winery, Mt. Palomar Winery, Refuge Brewery, Relentless Brewing, Karl Strauss Brewing, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Wiens Brewing, Joya Sangria and featured sponsor, Pechanga Resort & Casino, among many others.

“We believe we have the most diverse group of vendors we’ve ever had,” Katan said. “We have more wineries, some participating for the first time including a new vintner, Gagnon Cellars, and new breweries, including Ballast Point, which recently opened in Temecula. We have a mix of restaurants that will appeal to every taste.”

The foodie fun begins on Friday, April 29^th, from 6:00 – 10:00 pm, including several food and beverage vendors as well as a full night of live entertainment, ending with a concert by Another Journey, billed as the “World’s Greatest Tribute Band.”  Friday’s event will be for adults only, 21 years of age and over.

The VIP Dining Experience, hosted by Pechanga Resort & Casino, will also be held on Friday night. Each $60 ticket includes reserved concert seating and the best of exclusive menu offerings from Head Banquet Chef Colin McGinley and the chefs of the Pechanga culinary team.

Saturday, April 30^th, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, is Taste of Temecula Valley Family Fun Day, with expanded activities to meet the demand of a community full of kids. The festival’s Fun Zone includes Jolly Jumps, a trampoline bungee, a rock wall,  giant slide, jousting ring, a trackless train, face painting and much more.

All proceeds for the two-day food fair will benefit the Temecula Education Foundation; a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the services and opportunities for schools in the Temecula Unified School District.

“The funds we raise from TOTV will support our grants to educators and other enrichment programs for students,” Katan said. “Since 2011, Temecula Education Foundation has donated more than $100,000 to support enrichment opportunities in the sciences, visual arts, and performing arts. We always have more requests than we can fulfill and we’d love to be able to fund additional grants across the school district.”

General admission tickets for the 6^th Annual Taste of Temecula Valley are $10 each, with several tasting tickets available for individuals as well as groups. For more information and a schedule of entertainment, vendors and events for the 6^th Annual Taste of Temecula Valley (TOTV), visit the Temecula Education Foundation website at www.temeculaeducationfoundation.org.

A version of this story first appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune.

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