Introducing Santa Barbara's first Food & Wine Weekend at Bacara

With miles of rolling vineyards, dozens of farmers and fishermen, nationally-acclaimed artisans and trendy new restaurants, Santa Barbara County is growing into one of the nation's top up-and-coming culinary destinations. But much about what makes this region so unique remains a well-kept secret; until now.

In partnership with Edible Santa Barbara and The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, Bacara Resort & Spa is pleased to introduce the Santa Barbara Food & Wine Weekend at Bacara from June 6-8, 2014. Set within the luxurious surroundings of Bacara Resort, the three-day event will take guests on a culinary tour of Santa Barbara County from sea to Santa Ynez.

Highlights of the Santa Barbara Food & Wine Weekend at Bacara include:

Santa Barbara sea urchin education by fisherwoman Stephanie Mutz followed by a cooking demonstration

Tribute to Santa Barbara County's most talked about culinary neighborhoods, including The Funk Zone, Los Alamos and Arts District

Tour of Good Land Organics, the only farm in the continental United States to grow coffee as a commercial crop

Local wine reception and tastings by Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association and Santa Barbara's only Master Sommelier Brian McClintic

Additional events, including cooking classes and educational seminars

At the heart of the weekend is a special tribute to Julia Child who spent her final years in Santa Barbara, a city she described as a "bit of heaven." The weekend is inspired by Julia's lifelong passion for learning, love of eating well and mission to further gastronomy. A portion of event proceeds will benefit The Julia Child Foundation.

"The Foundation is very proud of Julia's and our connection to Santa Barbara. We can't think of a better way to honor Julia's legacy than a weekend celebrating the food and wine bounty around Santa Barbara. We are so pleased that Bacara has partnered with the Foundation to produce this most appetizing event." – Todd Schulkin, Executive Director, The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts.

Santa Barbara Food & Wine Weekend ticket prices range from zero to $250. Bacara Resort is offering an overnight package that includes: two-night stay at Bacara Resort & Spa on June 6 and 7; two tickets to the opening night wine reception on June 6; two tickets to the Sunday neighborhood tasting on June 8, and valet parking. Prices start at $515 a night (normally $657 if purchased separately). Advanced reservations are recommended.

For tickets or more information, please visit www.BacaraCulinaryWeekend.com.

About Bacara Resort & Spa:
Bacara Resort & Spa opened in 2000 and quickly established itself as the premier Santa Barbara resort destination. The property features 354 guestrooms and suites, four restaurants and lounges, a four-story spa and wellness center, three oceanfront swimming pools, a 12,000-bottle Wine Cellar, the Foley Food & Wine Society Wine Tasting Room and 70,000 square feet of function space. Embodying the essence of the American Riviera lifestyle, Bacara is nestled on the bluff and beaches of the Gaviota coast, just 40 miles from the famed Santa Ynez Wine Country and five miles from the Santa Barbara Airport. For reservations or more information, please call (855) 817-9782 or visit www.bacararesort.com.

About The Julia Child Foundation
The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts was created by Julia in 1995 to continue to advance matters she valued. The Foundation's mission is to honor and further Julia's legacy, which centers on the importance of understanding where food comes from, what makes for good food, and the value of cooking. Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, the Foundation is a grant-making, non-profit which primarily funds research and scholarships for professional culinary training as well as other activities in the fields of gastronomy and the culinary arts. Through the organizations and programs it supports, the Foundation continues to foster Julia's lifelong love of learning, her far-reaching impact as a teacher and mentor, and her passion for gastronomy and the culinary arts. For more information about the Foundation, please visit: www.juliachildfoundation.org.