Living Coast Discovery Center to Host 9th Annual Farm to Bay Event on Aug. 4

SAN DIEGO – The Living Coast Discovery Center, a nonprofit zoo and aquarium on San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, will host Farm to Bay, its ninth annual culinary celebration, on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The unique tasting event brings together some of San Diego’s finest restaurants, breweries, wineries and more to support the Living Coast’s wildlife, education and sustainability programs in its largest fundraiser of the year.

This year, three featured chefs will headline the event, including Chef/Owner Matt Gordon from Urban Solace and Solace and the Moonlight Lounge; Farm to Table Chef Miguel Valdez and Chef/Owner Will Gustwiller of Eclipse Chocolate Bar & Bistro. Each chef will present three signature tastes for the event’s anticipated 400 guests.

Farm to Bay will also include sampling from dozens of other local restaurants, purveyors, craft breweries, wineries and more. Confirmed partners include George’s at the Cove, Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub, Sushi on a Roll, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Dang Brother Pizza, Nomad Donuts, San Diego Convention Center, Amore Cheesecakes, Cravory Cookies, Woobar, Rubio’s, Sprouts Farmers Market–Chula Vista and Eastlake, Cutwater Spirits, Quigley Fine Wines, Second Chance Beer Co., 3 Punk Ales, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Wiens Family Cellars, Grindhouse, Boochcraft, Barefoot Cellars, Zico Coconut Water with many more to be announced soon.

Farm to Bay is the only San Diego food and wine event set within a protected national wildlife refuge, where guests can enjoy a unique, intimate nature and wildlife experience alongside dozens of native animal species. The evening includes live musical performances, live and silent auctions and up-close animal encounters with the Living Coast Discovery Center’s beloved animal ambassadors (including sea turtles, sharks, hawks, eagles, owls and more).

In keeping with the Living Coast’s commitment to the environment and sustainability, the Farm to Bay event committee has taken the necessary steps toward producing a Zero-Waste event. Since 2013, Farm to Bay has continued to reduce its overall waste by offering reusable and Earth-friendly materials. Event waste is hand-sorted and composted onsite thanks to the efforts of the City of Chula Vista’s master composters.

In 2017, 88 percent of Farm to Bay event waste (385 pounds) was recycled or composted and diverted from landfills – the highest totals ever for the event.

Tickets for the event go on sale for $100 on June 9 at www.thelivingcoast.org/farmtobay. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets early as the event is expected to sell out.

The event is made possible by the generous support of its sponsors, including this year’s presenting sponsors, Marine Group Boat Works and Seven Mile Casino, as well as the Port of San Diego, UTC Aerospace Systems–Aerostructures, Chula Vista Clean, Cox Communications, Mission Federal Credit Union, SDG&E, Baldwin & Sons, Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Republic Services, Sprouts Farmers Market–Chula Vista and Eastlake, Jim Biddle, CityLink Foundation, General Dynamics NASSCO, Hoffman Hanono Insurance Services, The Lewis Group, MA Engineers, Miller Hull and The San Diego Foundation. Media partners for the event include San Diego Magazine, Edible San Diego, San Diego Beverage Times, KSDY Channel 50 and Sunny 98.1 FM.

Additional sponsors and food and beverage partners continue to be added to this event. For assistance with these inquires, contact Jessica LaFave at jessica@thelivingcoast.org or (619) 409-5906. Members of the news media, may contact Bridget Palitz at bridget@shortfusemarketing.com or (619) 933-8722 to arrange interviews or request more information and/or photos.

About the Living Coast Discovery Center

The Living Coast Discovery Center, a 501(c) 3 educational zoo and aquarium located within the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Sweetwater Marsh, began operating as a non-profit in 2010 after assuming operations of the Chula Vista Nature Center. The Living Coast Discovery Center offers hands-on exhibits and up-close encounters with plant and animal species native to Southern California coastal habitats, including

endangered sea turtles, sting rays, leopard sharks, jellies, shorebirds, reptiles and a large collection of raptors such as hawks, falcons, owls, American bald eagle, golden eagle, and more. More information about the Living Coast Discovery Center is available at www.thelivingcoast.org or (619) 409-5900.