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Culinary Events at OC Fair
07.18.17
Food enthusiasts are in for an incredible program at the OC Fair. In the OC Promenade Culinary Arts Building you can discover artisans who bring the “Farm Fresh Fun” theme to life. Taste award-winning California olive oil. Sample locally made kombucha. Learn how butchers, bakers and local booze makers are changing the way things are crafted in Orange County and beyond!
The culinary team at OC Fair & Event Center has curated a lineup that showcases top local chefs, TV celebrities, cookbook authors and local businesses to help you get a taste of what that food revolution is like.
Pies: Karen Uyeda is a passionate fair attendee and previous OC Fair Blue-Ribbon Winner for her pies. She launched Sweetcie Pie and her business has flourished. Learn her pie-making secrets. July 19, 3 p.m.
Spirits: Brian and Robin Christenson launched the very first craft distillery in Orange County, Blinking Owl. These locavores and grain nerds will teach how they mill, ferment and distill barrel aged whisky and more. They have a great local story to tell. July 22, 3 p.m.
Paella: Junior chef Isabella Vegh is a member of 4-H and a previous triple Best of Class Winner in Preserved Foods and Winner of the Youth Spam Competition. Isabella will demonstrate how to make authentic Paella Valencia. July 20, 5 p.m.
Butchery: Chef Noah Blom of ARC Restaurant, Restaurant Marin and The Guild will give a primal cut butchery demonstration and he’ll share his best tips. Aug. 2, 5 p.m.
Meat: Executive Chef Melissa Cortina, of Bavette’s Meats and Provisions, attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and learned at the hands of master Italian butchers. She will answer questions about buying, using and preparing meat. Aug. 13, 5 p.m.
Bread: Cortina will be joined by former Blue Man Group performer Don Kohler who will demonstrate how to make unique Icelandic geothermal rye bread in your home kitchen. Kohler is now star of Hallmark Channel’s The Home & Family Show. Aug. 13, 5 p.m.
Beer: The first and only non-GMO, vegan-friendly beer, Dr. Jekyll’s Craft Beer, is produced by Tom Costa, an avid home brewer of more than 25 year. Learn how to bring craft beer into the kitchen and onto the plate. Aug. 6, 3 p.m.
Fermented food: Fairgoers can learn about the health benefits of lacto-fermentation from Dr. Yasmine Mason of Fermentation Farm, and try a free sample of kombucha. Daily
Seasonal: Chef Ernie Alvarado, pictured above, of Urbana is bringing Farm Fresh Mexican-inspired dishes to the table. Find out how he has mastered the use of seasonal produce in his creations. July 22, 7 p.m.
Sweets: Chef Stéphane Tréand will showcase his incredible talents by creating a highly technical sugar sculptor showpiece. July 30, 5 p.m.
Produce: Robert Schueller of Melissa’s Produce is known as Produce Guru. Become one of his followers and increase your knowledge of fruit and vegetables. July 21, 2 and 4 p.m.
For more information, visit the list of featured culinary events and demonstrations.
OC Fair & Event Center is at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.
Blog

Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen’s New ‘Cali Bandito Taco’
07.17.17
Not only has Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen in Fullerton won awards for being one of Orange County’s best live music destinations, but their menu offerings are equally noteworthy. Slidebar recently launched a must-try new taco in partnership with Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce. The “Cali Bandito Taco” is a spin on the late-night staple, the California Burrito. The taco is prepared using house made tortillas and topped with Gringo Bandito red marinated carne asada, french fries, cheddar cheese, sour cream and avocado crème.
Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce was founded in 2004 by Dexter Holland, frontman of the multi-platinum Orange County group The Offspring. And, Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen was founded in 2006 by Jeremy Popoff, member of OC’s very own rock icons Lit. Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce has been on a roll lately, over a million bottles sold and now there are three popular flavor varieties. All tables at Slidebar have two bottles of Gringo Bandito, so that you can try it with each dish.
Other highlights from Slidebar’s menu include the Carne Asada Fries or Tots covered with refried beans and carne asada topped with pico de gallo, quest fresco, and sour cream; Mac N Cheese Balls From Hell, Slidebar's Signature Mac N Cheese folded with savory bacon and diced jalapeño, rolled into panko bread crumbs and fried to a golden brown and served with habanero aioli for an extra kick.
Favorites from the “Headliners” include the California Burrito with marinated steak, French fries, cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese, sour cream and avocado. Served with chips, salsa, and a side of beans; and the Firecracker Spaghetti tossed in a spicy firecracker sauce and served with seasoned chicken, broccoli, and dry-roasted peanuts. For something a bit lighter, go for the Firecracker Lettuce Wrap, with chicken breast, garlic, peanuts, broccoli, and our firecracker sauce wrapped in butter lettuce.
The dessert, a Whammy Bar is incredible, they take dense brownies with chocolate chip cookie dough fried in funnel cake batter. It comes with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Anyone who loves decadent desserts will love this.
Don’t miss Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday. You can enjoy special priced cocktails, draft beers and small plates. They also offer weekly specials, too!
Open 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Wednesday; noon to 2 a.m. Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.
122 E Commonwealth Ave. in Fullerton. 714.871.2233.
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from the blog
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- 06.03.26 – Shopbop Pop-Up Arrives at Lido Marina Village
- 05.28.26 – Orange County Brand LYNKS Brings Style and Comfort Together
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- 05.18.26 – Uncle Fluffy Brings Viral Japanese Cheesecake to Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square
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- 04.29.26 – Mother’s Day Dining Across Orange County
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