I have been to events focused on food. I’ve also been to others focused on the cause. The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego brings both together for an extraordinary evening benefiting Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre while honoring one of the world’s most influential culinary humanitarians, Chef José Andrés.
Taking place Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, the fourth annual gala will also serve as the official kickoff to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival.
Honoring Chef José Andrés
The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego will honor Chef José Andrés, the internationally acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author, and humanitarian who founded World Central Kitchen.
After traveling to Haiti following the devastating 2010 earthquake, Andrés developed the idea that chefs could play a meaningful role in disaster response. That vision became World Central Kitchen, which now responds to humanitarian, climate and community crises by providing fresh meals through local chefs, restaurants, food producers and communities.
Andrés has received numerous honors for his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His recognition at this gala is especially meaningful because his connection to Tijuana goes back more than a decade.
Connection Between José Andrés and Tijuana
In 2012, Andrés visited Tijuana as a keynote speaker at Tijuana Innovadora. Years later, when nearly 5,000 migrants arrived in Tijuana in late 2018, World Central Kitchen stepped in to help.
Working with community leader Maribel Moreno and Chef Javier Plascencia, local kitchens opened their doors, suppliers donated ingredients, and volunteers helped establish meal operations throughout the city.
From October 2018 through August 2021, World Central Kitchen provided approximately 1,000 freshly prepared meals each day to shelters and vulnerable communities. When that operation ended, the daily meal program was entrusted to Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre, allowing the work to continue.
Today, the organization prepares and delivers up to 3,500 nutritious meals every day to 40 shelters and community organizations across Tijuana, totaling more than 1 million meals each year.
An Exceptional Culinary Lineup
The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego will bring together an impressive collection of culinary talent from San Diego, Tijuana and Baja California.
Día de Muertos Gala San Diego VIP Showcase
- Chef Javier Plascencia | Animalón, Valle de Guadalupe
- Chef Roberto Alcocer | Valle, Oceanside
- Chef Drew Deckman | Deckman’s en el Mogor, Ensenada
- Chef Esteban Lluis | Damiana
Participating Chefs
- Chef Miguel Ángel Guerrero | Orígenes de Baja, Tijuana
- Chef Bianca Castro | BiaNca
- Chef Davin Waite | Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub, Oceanside
- Chef Jason McLeod | Ironside Fish & Oyster, San Diego
- Chef Henry Ñol | Valentina, Oceanside
- Chef Ernesto Zamora | Maximiliano, Tijuana
- Chef Lorena López | Mariscos La Estrella, Rosarito:
- Chef Sandra Téllez | Cultura con Sabor
- Chef Javier Caro | Grupo Justina
- Chef Omar Armas | Wormwood, San Diego
- Chef Diego Hernández | Diego Hernández Restaurant
- Chef Ilean Padilla | Mexica Fé
- Josefina Sánchez | Los Panchos:
- Chef Adrián Villarreal | Tahona, San Diego
- Chef Tomás Gastélum | MIRA Earth Studios
- Chef David Rocha | Comal
- Chef Rob Ruiz | Ensō Omakase, Valle de Guadalupe
- Chef Tushar Kandalgaonkar | Amaya, Fairmont Grand Del Mar
- Chef Bryn McArthur | Fairmont Grand Del Mar
- Chef Tommy Gomes | TunaVille Market & Grocery, San Diego
- Chef Juan Carlos Récamier | Tá Hotel de Diseño, Paris
- Chef Mariana Villalobos | Food Love Revolution, Paris
- Chef Juan Carlos Silva Chavez | Misión 19, Tijuana
- Chef William Eick, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
- Chef Marcus Twilegar | Cherryfish, San Diego
- Chef Jeff Roberto | Sushi On a Roll, San Diego
Día de Muertos at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego will transform Fairmont Grand Del Mar with traditional ofrendas, marigold displays, live music, dance, and immersive artistic experiences celebrating memory and life.
VIP guests can arrive at 5 p.m. for an exclusive cocktail reception on Solana Terrace with access to the participating chefs. General admission begins at 6:30 p.m. in Grand Social.
The evening will also feature live and silent auctions, with proceeds benefiting Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre.
Supporting Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre
For me, this is what makes the Día de Muertos Gala San Diego particularly meaningful. Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre has a binational philanthropic model to bring together volunteers, corporations, chefs, schools, and donors from both sides of the border.
The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego is more than a celebration of Mexican culture and exceptional food. It continues a story that began with World Central Kitchen’s work in Tijuana and demonstrates how food can provide nourishment, dignity and hope.
Event Details
Día de Muertos Gala San Diego
Sunday, November 1, 2026
Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego
VIP Cocktail Reception: 5 p.m. | Solana Terrace
General Admission: 6:30 p.m. | Grand Social
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FAQ's
What is the Día de Muertos Gala San Diego?
The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego is a philanthropic culinary celebration taking place on November 1, 2026, at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The event is the official kickoff to the San Diego Food + Wine Festival and brings together 27 participating chefs, fine wines, premium spirits, live entertainment and Día de Muertos traditions. Proceeds benefit Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre, a nonprofit fighting food insecurity in Tijuana.
When and where is the Día de Muertos Gala San Diego?
The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego takes place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego. The VIP Cocktail Reception begins at 5 p.m. on the Solana Terrace, while General Admission begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Social.
Who is being honored at the Día de Muertos Gala?
Chef José Andrés will be honored at the 2026 Día de Muertos Gala for his humanitarian leadership and his work using food to help communities affected by disasters, humanitarian emergencies and other crises. José Andrés is the founder of World Central Kitchen, which began its work in Tijuana during the 2018 migrant crisis. That effort eventually led to the daily meal operation now continued by Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre.
Which chefs are participating in the Día de Muertos Gala San Diego?
The Día de Muertos Gala San Diego will feature 27 participating chefs from San Diego, Tijuana, Baja California and beyond. The lineup includes Javier Plascencia, Roberto Alcocer, Drew Deckman, Esteban Lluis, Miguel Ángel Guerrero, Bianca Castro, Davin Waite, Jason McLeod, Ernesto Zamora, Diego Hernández, Rob Ruiz, William Eick and many more. Guests will have the opportunity to move between culinary stations, meet participating chefs and enjoy their creations throughout the evening.
What charity does the Día de Muertos Gala support?
The Día de Muertos Gala supports Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre, a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity in Tijuana. The organization prepares and delivers up to 3,500 nutritious meals every day to 40 shelters and community organizations, providing more than 1 million meals annually. Its work serves children, families, seniors and other vulnerable communities throughout Tijuana.
