Ojai Food and Wine Festival Q&A

There are many iterations of a Food & Wine Festival; what are the distinctive differences that set Ojai apart?

Bobby: I’ve been lucky enough to speak and present at wine festivals for more than 25 years. The key to a thriving food and wine festival—the secret sauce—is organization. When everything runs smoothly, speakers feel confident that all the details are handled, allowing them to present at their best for the guests.

On the flip side, I’ve been to many events that weren’t as well-organized; it really holds those festivals back. I look at the Aspen Food & Wine Festival— the granddaddy of them all— as a prime example of good organization. I’ve been fortunate to speak at it for more than 20 years. It’s incredible how well-organized it is.

I had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Ojai Food & Wine two years ago, and they set a perfect example for any festival looking to make an impact. It was professional, seamless and so well-run that even the team from Food & Wine magazine was blown away. That’s why I’m excited to return—because of how well they executed it.

Ben: We’ve found our most distinctive point of difference to be the size and scale of the event. While Ojai Food and Wine isn’t lacking in programming (40+ events in four days) or talent (more than 100 chefs, master sommeliers and hospitality thought leaders), we intentionally limit crowd sizes to promote engagement and an environment of connection. Waiting in endless lines for a tasting sample isn’t appealing, and we’ve tried to match the vibe of the weekend with Ojai’s size and scale.

How does the resort incorporate these elements of Food and Wine excellence into the ethos of the staff and culture?

Ben: Authenticity is one of the pillars of hospitality, and it’s undoubtedly one of our core values at the resort. Our ethos is built around providing genuine service, and we hope that feeling is palpable during the Ojai Food and Wine Festival. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels the “warm hug” of hospitality. When chefs and winemakers are happy, everyone tends to win.

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How do other Chefs/Sommeliers collaborate with each other?

Bobby: The nature of the collaboration depends on the event and expectations. If I’m doing an event with a specific chef, I want to spend time with them beforehand to understand the menu so I can pair wines that genuinely elevate their food.

What memories do you have of the previous Ojai Food and Wine Festival these last couple of years that encapsulate the experience?

Ben: The entire success of this event is built around the world’s most talented folks in the hospitality space stepping away from their insanely busy operations and showing up for this special weekend in Ojai. It’s not lost on us and humbling, to say the very least. We treasure the relationships behind this event dearly – friends like Bobby and the team at Frasca have been so instrumental in the evolution of our programming over the years. For many of the participants, it’s the one time a year they get to see each other, and the result has the feeling of a family reunion or chef summer camp.

Bobby: Having been part of the inaugural year of the Ojai Food and Wine Festival, I was blown away by how well they executed every detail. They crossed every “T” and dotted every “I,” and that level of care made all the difference. I can’t wait to return this year.

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Is there a time of year apart from the Festival that travelers should experience in Ojai?

Ben: Our location is unique in the sense that it provides more seasonality than the rest of Southern California. It’s always a bit cooler in the winter and a bit warmer in the summer than destinations just an hour away. My favorite season in Ojai is always the next one.

I had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Ojai Food & Wine two years ago, and they set a perfect example for any festival looking to make an impact. It was professional, seamless, and so well-run that even the team from Food & Wine magazine was blown away. That’s why I’m excited to return—because of how well they executed it.

For more information about the Ojai Food and Wine Festival and if you would like to purchase tickets to the event, visit their website at https://www.ojaifoodandwine.com/