Indulge in the Flavors of Santa Barbara. Mark your calendars for May 12–18 as the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience returns for a dynamic, weeklong celebration of all things food and drink across Santa Barbara County. From interactive classes and insightful panels to farm tours, chef-driven dinners, and curated tasting events, this immersive culinary celebration offers meaningful ways to connect with the region’s vibrant food culture.

The week’s crown jewel is The Grand Wine Tasting on May 17, set against the historic backdrop of El Presidio de Santa Bárbara. Sip and savor from a curated lineup of top local wineries and culinary artisans in one unforgettable evening.

Inspired by Julia Child’s love of Santa Barbara and created in partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience brings together locals and visitors alike to honor the bounty of our farms, vineyards, ranches and coastline.

Monday, May 12
Classes:

• Wine Blending at Margerum Wine Co. and SAMsARA Winery
• Cooking with ‘Fairy Blood’ at AtoZ Cooking School
• Oyster Shucking at Clark’s Oyster Bar

Dinners:

• ‘Interstellar Roots’ with Chef Travis Westrope in Lompoc
• Two Baking Brits at the Cheese Shop

Tuesday, May 13
Classes & Tastings:

• The Art of Butter at Helena Avenue Bakery
• Cocktail & Food Pairing at The Lion
• Caviar, Bubbles & Vodka at the Hotel California from Foley Family Wines
• Hands-on Mixology at Pearl Street Social Club
• Wine & Chocolate pairing at SAMsARA Winery
• Seafood Cooking Class at AtoZ Cooking School

Dinners:

• The Farmer & The Cook dinner at Bouchon

Wednesday, May 14
Classes & Tastings:

• Coffee Tasting at Little King Coffee
• Mixology Master Class at Hotel Californian
• Plant-based Cooking at A to Z Cooking School

Dinners:

• The Black Sheep SB Brasseries with Tercero Wines
• The Captain’s Table at Moby Dick’s

Thursday, May 15
Tours:

• Foley Family Winery Tours – Santa Ynez Valley
• Rancho San Julian Tour and Tasting with Elizabeth Poett
• Sipping on the Sea on the Bay with the Santa Barbara Sailing Center

Classes:

• Coffee Roasting at Zaca
• Cocktail Creation at the Good Lion
• Bread Baking at Bree’osh
• Cooking with Olive Oil at A to Z Cooking School

Dinners:

• Ranch Dinner at Mattei’s Tavern
• Uncorked and on the Rocks Dinner at Blackbird
• Five-Course Strawberry Dinner at the Lark

Friday, May 16
Tours:

• Day on the Farm & Vineyard: featuring guided tours at 10 different venues throughout the Santa Ynez Valley from Heritage Farmland Tours
• Pacific Pickle Works Factory Tour
• Rose Story Farm Tour

Classes:

• Making Pizza! at AtoZ Cooking School
• Flower Arranging Class at Rose Story Farm

Dinners:

• Chef’s Night Out at the Margerum Tasting Room
• Wood-Fired Feast at La Paloma Cafe

Saturday, May 17
SBCE’s Grand Wine Tasting featuring 40 wineries from across the county at El Presidio (Signature Event)

Tours:

• Learn about regenerative farming and meet the animals at Wanderment Farms
• Discover abalone cultivation at the Cultured Abalone Farm
• Harbor Tour with Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

Classes:

• Chef’s Chat at the Saturday Farmers’ Market with A to Z Cooking School
• Saturday Farmers’ Market Tour & Cooking Class with Pascale Beale

Sunday, May 18
Tours:

• Learn about regenerative farming and meet the animals at Wanderment Farms
• Discover abalone cultivation at the Cultured Abalone Farm

Classes:

• Kids’ Taco Classes at A to Z Cooking School

View their website for the latest updates.