Join us for the fourth annual Día de Muertos Gala—one of the most exclusive celebrations of its kind in the United States and an extraordinary evening where world-renowned chefs, Mexican culture, luxury, and philanthropy come together.
On Sunday, November 1, 2026, the majestic Fairmont Grand Del Mar will provide the setting for a vibrant tribute to life, remembrance, family, and the enduring bonds that transcend generations.
As the official kickoff to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival, this remarkable event will bring together distinguished guests, exceptional wines, premium spirits, acclaimed culinary talent, inspiring entertainment, and immersive cultural traditions at one of Southern California’s most iconic luxury destinations.
Designed as an elegant reception-style experience rather than a traditional seated dinner, the Gala will invite guests to mingle and move freely among beautifully decorated culinary tables and chef stations. Throughout the evening, guests will meet the participating chefs, discover their culinary creations, and enjoy each tasting directly from the stations.
This year’s Gala proudly honors Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, whose extraordinary humanitarian leadership has transformed disaster relief around the world. Through the power of food, Chef José Andrés and his team have served millions of fresh meals to communities affected by natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, and conflict—demonstrating that a warm meal can provide hope, dignity, and comfort when it is needed most.
Co-Hosts: Maru & Fausto Vargas, Flor Franco, Michelle Lerach, Yolanda Walther-Meade, Charo García Acevedo, Maribel Moreno, and Natalia Merienne.
This year’s culinary experience will showcase an extraordinary lineup of Michelin-starred talent and internationally acclaimed culinary leaders, including Javier Plascencia, Roberto Alcocer, Drew Deckman, and Esteban Lluis. They will be joined by celebrated chefs Bianca Castro, Davin Waite, Jason McLeod, Henry Ñol, Miguel Ángel Guerrero, Ernesto Zamora, Lorena López, Sandra Téllez, Javier Caro, Omar Armas, Diego Hernández, Ilean Padilla, Josefina Sánchez, Adrián Villarreal, Tomás Gastélum, David Rocha, and Rob Ruiz.
Together, they will create an interactive culinary experience celebrating the richness, diversity, creativity, and traditions of Mexican gastronomy.
Beyond an extraordinary evening, every guest who joins us will help transform lives. All proceeds benefit Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre, which prepares and delivers 3,500 nutritious meals every day to 40 shelters throughout Tijuana—providing more than one million meals each year to children, families, seniors, and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
Together with an exceptional collective of chefs, artists, cultural leaders, philanthropists, and community partners, we invite you to experience an unforgettable evening where culture inspires, gastronomy delights, generosity creates lasting impact, and every detail honors the beauty and spirit of Día de Muertos.
Sunday, November 1, 2026 Fairmont Grand Del Mar VIP Cocktail Reception
5:00 PM | Solana Terrace
An exclusive reception featuring cocktails, special culinary experiences, and opportunities to connect with participating chefs.
General Admission 6:30 PM | Grand Social
A reception-style Gala experience featuring beautifully decorated culinary tables, chef stations, fine wines, premium spirits, live entertainment, and immersive cultural traditions.
Reserve your place today and join an extraordinary community of changemakers for a remarkable celebration of Mexican culture, culinary excellence, and philanthropy.
Join us at Grand Social for Social Hour from 5:00–6:00 pm, featuring a curated selection of drink specials, shareable bites and signature favorites in a vibrant social setting.
