Big Sur Foragers Festival Dates Announced: January 16 – 19, 2020

1. Big Sur Foragers Festival Dates Announced: January 16 – 19, 2020 Foragers Festival Fungus Face Off to be Held at Big Sur River Inn Saturday, January 18, 2020 Big Sur, CA, May 24, 2019 - The historic Big Sur River Inn serves as the host and backdrop of one of the <a href='http://www.bigsurforagersfestival.org'>Big Sur Foragers Festival</a>'s most popular events, the "Fungus Face-Off," set for Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020. Confirmed Partners Wineries: Bernardus Winery Chappellet Mesa Del Sol Chefs: Big Sur River Inn Montrio Bistro Rio Grill Tarpy's Roadhouse

2. The Face-Off at the River Inn, set under the oaks overlooking the Big Sur River, features celebrated local chefs competing for the best foraged dish, and will include food tastings, fine wines, craft beers, raffles, a silent auction and more. This event sells out early, and tickets will be on sale through EventBrite starting July 2019. The River Inn has a significant presence in Big Sur history and lore. The inn's history goes back to 1888, when Jay Pheneger acquired a 160-acre parcel from the federal government and gave his name to the creek that bounds the River Inn on the south. Homesteaders Barbara and Michael Pfeiffer bought the property, and in 1926, Michael, and Barbra's son John took over the land on which the Big Sur River Inn now stands. The inn was opened in 1934 by his daughter Ellen Brown. She opened her living and dining rooms to the public and began serving hot apple pie, which is still served today and gave the place its first name, Apple Pie Inn. Lodging units were built and Big Sur's first resort was established. In 1943, Ellen's sister, Esther Pfeiffer Ewoldson and her husband, Hans, took over the operation. Esther replaced her mother as Big Sur Postmaster and the Post Office was moved to the River Inn, situated where the front office of the motel is now. With a lot of help, Hans built the General Store and lodging units 10 through 15. He rebuilt the dining room and "fixed it up fancy." The Pfeiffer and the Ewoldson families started a tradition at the Big Sur River Inn of fine food, excellent service, and warm hospitality. In 1988, the Perlmutter family, along with a small group of close friends, formed a partnership to carry on that tradition. For the second year, the Big Sur River Inn extends its tradition of hospitality to host the Big Sur Foragers Festival. The Foragers Festival has traditionally served as a fundraiser for the Big Sur Health Center. The community's non-profit health center will receive the proceeds from the foraging events to continue to support the presence of local health care services in the Big Sur area. The four-day festival affords Big Sur area restaurants the opportunity to host the culinary expertise of notable chefs, who will be preparing unique fare ranging from rustic to elegant, paired alongside the central coast region's amazing selection of wine and beer. In addition to the Fungus Face-Off, events will include: A Thursday Night Fundraiser at Lugano's Swiss Bistro. Details to come.

3. Friday night winemaker's dinners as locations around Monterey County include Il Grillo in Carmel-by- the-Sea Saturday Foraging walk led by local experts. "Wild Mushroom Walks and Talk" Sunday we are finalizing several brunch fundraisers around Monterey County. Stay tuned for more details coming soon. For event details and venue information, visit www.bigsurforagersfestival.org. Contact: Marci Bracco Cain Chatterbox PR Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 747-7455 http://www.bigsurforagersfestival.org