Sonoma, CA (March 5, 2019) – The sellout SIFF/Devour! Chefs & Shorts is back! This year’s event features highly regarded culinary luminaries who will each prepare a dish inspired by short food-focused films from around the world. The featured chefs include Michael Howell (Founder and Executive Director of Devour!), Chef Marcellus Coleman (Executive Chef at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa), Chef Cole Dickinson (Executive Chef at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa), Pastry Chef Michelle Gayer (Owner Salty Tart bakery), Chef Della Gossett (Pastry Chef at Spago) and Chef Eduardo Garcia (Co-founder Montana Mex).
Michael Howell and Lia Rinaldo, founders of DEVOUR!—the world’s largest food and film festival in Nova Scotia, Canada—curate the chefs and the films. Each course, paired with a select wine, creates a multi-sensory dining experience. This unique event will appeal to all foodie, film and wine buffs. The evening starts with a reception of passed appetizers, Gloria Ferrer bubbles and a SIFF signature cocktail from Ketel One Botanical. The wine pairings feature Huge Bear Wines, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Bee Hunter Wine, and Landmark Vineyards. Adding to the night’s experience, Tyler Florence will screen the trailer of his documentary film UNCRUSHABLE, teasing the movie and four-course dinner event The UNCRUSHABLE Dinner with Tyler Florence on Friday Night at Ramekins and the screening at Andrews’s Hall on Saturday, March 30.
The event takes place on Thursday, March 28 at 6pm at host Ramekins Culinary School, Events & Inn located at 450 West Spain Street, Sonoma. Tickets are $250 with Soirée, $275 with Cinema Pass, $300 General Public, and $500 for seat at Tyler Florence’s hosted table (only five seats available) will be available at http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/page464.html.
Michael Howell is the Founder and Executive Director of Devour! The Food Film Fest in Nova Scotia, Canada. For more than 25 years, Michael has been a leading chef in the United States, Canada and the Bahamas.
Chef Marcellus Coleman is the Executive Chef at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. He brings over 18 years of culinary experience from prestigious restaurants in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., among others. A graduate of Johnson Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, Coleman is a “Chopped” Champion (Season 6) and has competed on the TV shows “Iron Chef” (Season 1) and “Beat Bobby Flay” (Season 14).
Chef Cole Dickinson is the Executive Chef, MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa. He brings a vibrant culinary pedigree to Sonoma, having worked for years as a protégé of Chef Michael Voltaggio, at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck in London, Laurent Gras’ 3 Michelin star L20 in Chicago and with Wolfgang Puck in Hollywood. Dickinson has competed in and won Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ and has been recognized as a StarChefs ‘Los Angeles Rising Star Chef,’ an Eater ‘Young Guns’ winner, and has also been named one of Zagat’s ’30 Under 30.’
Chef Eduardo Garcia is a chef, entrepreneur, public speaker and passionate outdoorsman. He is co-founder of the clean label, national food brand, Montana Mex. In 2011, Eduardo was electrocuted by an exposed high voltage power source, where he suffered extensive, life-threatening injuries and had to have his arm amputated. Today Eduardo is the subject of the award winning feature length documentary CHARGED-THE EDUARDO GARCIA STORY, and works in film, most recently on the YETI presents cooking series a Hungry Life. Eduardo travels extensively as a public speaker and is on a personal mission to help those who are dealing with trauma.
Pastry Chef Michelle Gayer has five James Beard nominations and co-authored a book with Charlie Trotter. She owns and operates the Salty Tart bakery in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Chef Della Gossett is the Executive Pastry Chef at Spago Beverly Hills. She brings 25 years of pastry experience which included Trio in Evanston, Illinois, Atlas in New York, The French Pastry School in Chicago, and lead the pastry team for nearly a decade at Charlie Trotter’s. She was named one of the Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America 2014, LA Weekly’s People of 2015 and honored with the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs “Women Who Inspire-Golden Bowl Award”.
SIFF is celebrating 22 years of film, food, wine, and spirits Wednesday, March 27 to Sunday, March 31, 2019. All films are shown at intimate venues within walking distance of Sonoma’s historic plaza.
About Devour!
Combining cinematic talent with extraordinary gastronomic activities, Devour! The Food Film Fest is the world’s largest film festival focused on food and drink. This annual, six-day festival hosts 100+ events, high profile chefs and celebrated filmmakers from around the world. Just this past season, Devour! attracted almost 13,000 food and film lovers to Nova Scotia, Canada. The ninth edition of Devour! is slated for October 22-27, 2019.
Pass Information
The 22ndAnnual Sonoma International Film Festival runs from Wednesday, March 27 through Sunday, March 31. The best way to experience the festival and have access to all films is by getting a SIFF pass. SIFF can be enjoyed at different levels. Currently Cinema Passes are $325, $950 for Soirée, and $2,500 for Patron. All Cinema pass holders will have day access to the Diageo Backlot Tent. Soirée pass holders will have day VIP area and evening party access. For information about tickets, festival passes, prices, and benefits visit www.sonomafilmfest.org.
About the Sonoma International Film Festival
The Sonoma International Film Festival, an entirely walkable festival, is a 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to promoting independent film and filmmakers from around the world, inspiring film lovers, and introducing the power of film to student filmmakers. SIFF’s signature initiative—the Media Arts Program started at Sonoma Valley High School in 2002—introduces students to the process of storytelling and provides the resources for them to create films, many of which are shown annually at The Student Showcase. This “only in SONOMAWOOD” five-day event features screening venues in and around Sonoma Plaza, offers world-class cuisine from local artisans and exceptional wines from Wine Country vintners. Renowned filmmakers, industry leaders and celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, John Lasseter, Danny Glover, Demián Bichir, Mary-Louise Parker, Ray Liotta, Michael Keaton, and Meg Ryan have walked the SIFF red carpet and enjoyed its intimate ambiance.
MovieMaker Magazine selected SIFF as one of the world’s Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals.
Over the past 22 years, the Sonoma International Film Festival continues to promote independent film and filmmakers from around the world with the support of incredible sponsors who include but are not limited to: Manitou Fund, Diageo, Sonoma Magazine, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Arrowood, Bank of Marin, Dolby, Sonoma Market, Sophienwald, Stor-It-All, WildFire Web, Spritz, Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Ketel One Botanical, San Francisco Chronicle, Landmark Vineyards, Brew Dr., Huge Bear Wines, OHM Coffee Roasters, Farm Fresh To You, Rodney Strong, Gloria Ferrer, and Lake Sonoma Winery.
For more information, please visit www.sonomafilmfest.org
Media contact: Allison Coats, allison@coatspr.comor (707) 935-6203
