The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience Returns May 11-17

The Santa Barbara Culinary Experience (SBCE) is returning to Santa Barbara County for a week-long celebration Monday, May 11, to Sunday, May 17, with tickets on sale March 16. This year’s comprehensive lineup features an exciting selection of exclusive dinners with star-studded chefs, interactive farm tours and excursions, hands-on classes (including free kid-friendly programming), and much more. The week culminates at the premier event, The Grand Wine Tasting on Saturday, May 16, with wine tastings, panel discussions, live music, and more.

In partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, this anticipated event brings together chefs, farmers, vintners, and artisans, honoring Julia’s legacy by fostering community, education, and joyful culinary exploration. Attendees can enjoy a diverse array of events held across Santa Barbara County. The full lineup can be found here with a wide range of price points. Check back often, as new events will be added.

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2026 SIGNATURE EVENTS

••• SBCE’s main event, the Grand Wine Tasting, takes place May 16 at El Presidio de Santa Barbara, featuring over 40 renowned Santa Barbara County wineries and food artisans. Produced by SBCE in partnership with The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, the Grand Wine Tasting showcases insights from leading winemakers, panel discussions moderated by the Santa Barbara Independent’s Matt Kettmann, bites from local eateries, and music by the Salty Strings.

••• Meet the Farmer connects guests with chefs, farmers, ranchers, aquaculturists, vintners, and artisans, offering an inside look at the community’s vibrant food and wine culture. A few of this year’s events:

—Farm Tour & Golden Hour at Folded Hills (May 15): Spend an evening with legendary organic farmer Tom Shepherd at Folded Hills, where guests are welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine as they feed the baby animals and stroll through the fields; harvest what’s in season to take home; and head to the Homestead, the Estate tasting room, to enjoy the Golden Hour, featuring certified organically grown wines, SB Woodfire Pizzas, and music by Folded Hills’s resident DJ.
—Educational Vineyard Hike & Tasting at Stolpman Vineyard (May 17): An educational hike through the Ballard Canyon Vineyard hosted by Peter Stolpman, followed by a tasting at Stolpman’s Los Olivos tasting room.
—Sundae on a Sunday at the Farm (May 17): Kids and their parents choose their favorite Alessio Artisanal Gelato and top it with freshly picked berries and cherries from the farm, creating a delightful “sundae on Sunday” that celebrates seasonal flavors and the place they’re grown.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GROWING LINEUP OF 2026 SBCE EXCLUSIVE EVENTS

••• bouchon Santa Barbara’s The Farmer + The Cook + The Winemaker (May 12): This unforgettable evening at bouchon celebrates the relationship between local farmers and restaurants. Indulge in a multi-course meal showcasing two things that Julia adored: local ingredients and wine country cuisine. Throughout the evening you’ll meet the featured farmers, winemakers, and bouchon Executive Chef Vicken Tavitian.

••• Mattei’s Special Edition, Santa Maria Grill BBQ (May 14): Experience the relaxed charm of Mattei’s signature Santa Maria BBQ, a community‑style gathering on the Hartley Lawn where guests and locals come together for an abundant, family-style feast, paired with Storm Wines and beer from Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. Live music rounds out the festive atmosphere.

••• Cheese The Day (May 11): Held on the breathtaking rooftop of the Kimpton Canary Hotel and produced by The Santa Barbara Independent and The Cheese Shop, this gathering brings together top winemakers, renowned chefs, and celebrated cheese experts to guide guests through a journey of flavorful pairings.

••• Balancing Wine & Health: Tastings with Bobby Stuckey & Carlin Karr at Rincon Hill Farm (May 15): Join Master Sommelier, Julia Child Award and James Beard Award–winning restaurateur Bobby Stuckey; Carlin Karr, Director of Wine & Beverage at Frasca Hospitality Group; and Matt Kettmann, writer/critic for Wine Enthusiast and the Santa Barbara Independent, in conversation about how living a healthy lifestyle can be compatible with continuing to enjoy wine. The evening starts with a tour of Rincon Hill Farm, which supplies Monte’s in Montecito and the future Palms restaurants in Carpinteria. Guests will enjoy a guided wine tasting with Bobby, Carlin & Matt at the Rincon Hill Farmhouse and light bites featuring ingredients sourced from the regenerative farm. Capacity is very limited.

••• Kimchi Making Class (May 12): Monte’s chef Daniel Kim teaches how to make traditional Korean kimchi at Rincon Hill Farm.

••• Specialty Latte Crafting & Syrup Making (May 12): Choose from a myriad of additions to make your own custom syrup at Little King Coffee and learn the basics of making a specialty latte.

••• Free Kids’ Crepe Cooking (May 15-17): In partnership with Apples to Zucchini, these free kids’ cooking classes (ages 6-12) teach how to whip up sweet batter, mix tasty fillings, and master the satisfying swirl that creates the perfect crepe.

••• Garden to Glass Cocktail Class at Lotusland (May 15): Step into the enchanting twilight of Lotusland and discover the art of crafting cocktails inspired by the garden’s bounty, including fresh citrus and aromatic herbs.

••• Twenty-Four Blackbirds Chocolate Tour & Tasting (May 11 and 13): An insider’s look at single‑origin dark chocolate—from its origins as a bitter bean to its transformation into a glossy, exquisitely smooth bar. You’ll taste chocolate at every stage of production, while learning the craft behind roasting, refining, and tempering, with additional samples like caramel and chocolate‑covered espresso beans. Plus: 15% off in the shop after the tour.

••• Tour & Tasting at The Cultured Abalone Farm (May 16 and 17): Guided tour of The Cultured Abalone Farm, led by an abalone farmer, covering the process of raising abalone, from hatchery to harvest, along with seaweed culturing and urchin ranching. After the tour, enjoy a taste of abalone prepared by Chef Paul Osborne of Santa Barbara Fish Market and wine tastings of local wines.

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The full lineup can be found here; check back often, as new events will be added to the lineup on a regular basis. SBCE is also seeking volunteers to support this year’s events, and limited space remains for wineries and food vendors to participate in the Grand Wine Tasting.

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Sponsored by the Santa Barbara Culinary Experience. Photos courtesy Santa Barbara Culinary Experience Event Partners; Bobby Stuckey photo by Casey Wilson.