FRESNO, CA - On Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 9am – 1pm, the 12th Annual California Fig Fest will return to California State University, Fresno, to celebrate California Figs and enjoy new features that have the locals and “foodies” world-wide buzzing with excitement, according to a press release.
Celebrity chef sensation, Fabio Viviani, television’s favorite Italian from BRAVO’S hit television series “Top Chef”, will headline at this year’s event to share his love of California Figs. A seasoned host to some of California’s most popular foodie events, such as the Sunset Magazine Celebration Weekend and the Pebble Beach Food and Wine event, Viviani will join in on the fig fun at this year’s event with a live cooking demonstration, which will be recorded for inclusion into his new television show, Global Bites. Event guests will have the opportunity to be a part of a live television audience as a production crew records Fabio’s every move.
Fabio Viviani stated, “I’m very excited to see so much enthusiasm for the California Fig - from one end of the state to the other. It’s an amazing fruit that has so many potential uses – both as a sweet and savory ingredient... cooked, baked and enjoyed fresh or dried. They are amazingly delicious!”
The event will include:
- California-Fig Inspired Gourmet Foods
- Fresh and Dried Fig Sampling
- Craft Beer, Wine and Cheese Tastings
- Over 50 Vendors – from California artisan food purveyors to local artisans – there’s something for everyone!
- A Fig Culinary Expo sampling fig-inspired dishes from some of California’s best restaurants and executive chefs
- A California Fig-Inspired Chef Competition with Celebrity Judges
- Live Television Show Taping of Viviani’s New TV Show, “Global Bites”
- California-Fig Inspired cooking demonstrations by Chef Fabio Viviani
- A presentation by the California Fig Industry leaders and local growers
- Live Music and Entertainment
The event will benefit Fresno State University’s Ag One Foundation and the Fresno County Sheriff's Department. The event is being produced and managed by Fresno based Culinary Competitions International.
"California Figs have long been adored by the culinary elite for their versatility and unique flavor," said Karla Stockli, Chief Executive Officer, California Dried Fig Advisory Board and Fresh Fig Growers Association. "And, now, figs are finding their way onto more and more menus and cooking shows, as well as into a growing number of cookbooks and grocery carts, further validating what we in Fig Country have known for years – there's nothing in the world like a California Fig!” Stockli further stated, “We are thrilled with the way the California Fig Fest 2015 is shaping up and promise it will be a FIGilicious experience for all!”
With the event’s newer and grander additions, attendance is expected to increase substantially to an anticipated 3,000 people from all over the state of California and beyond.
