N※N

MOHI Food & Wine Festival returns for second year

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/21 .. -food-wine-festival-returns-for-second-year.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 17:52 GMT by East Bay Times

Mohi Food & Wine Festival Returns for Second Year, Celebrating Oakland’s Culinary Diversity

The first‑ever Mohi Food & Wine Festival, a whirlwind of local cuisine, craft beverages, and farm‑to‑table excellence, has come back to Oakland’s waterfront for its second edition on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Oct. 24‑26. The three‑day affair, held at the iconic Jack London Square, has grown from a modest gathering of a handful of growers to a full‑blown showcase of the Bay Area’s most celebrated food artisans, winemakers, and culinary educators.

A Growing Celebration of Sustainable Food

The festival’s founder, chef‑activist and Oakland native Maya Rodriguez, says the event “is a living, breathing platform that lets producers tell the stories of their land, their labor, and their love for food.” After a “ground‑breaking” first year that drew more than 7,000 visitors, the organizers have added several new components to this edition: an expanded farmers’ market, a “Tasting Wall” featuring 20 tasting rooms from vineyards across California, and a new “Culinary Lab” where attendees can watch live cooking demos from Michelin‑starred chefs.

According to the festival’s website (www.mohifoodwinefest.com), the event is dedicated to sustainability, with an emphasis on regenerative agriculture and locally sourced ingredients. The site lists more than 120 vendors, including the Oakland Food Hall’s resident chefs, the artisanal bakery Bourdonnais, and the small‑batch whiskey distillery Saffron & Sage. The festival is also partnering with the East Bay Community Food Bank to raise $30,000 in food donations for families in need.

The Weekend’s Highlights

Saturday’s schedule is packed with culinary showcases. The main stage hosts a “Chef’s Table” dinner at the Michelin‑starred kitchen of Aiko Matsumoto, who will serve a four‑course tasting menu that pairs each dish with a regional wine. The event’s highlight, however, is the “Brew & Bites” session—an evening of craft beer tastings from local breweries such as Lagunitas, Widmer Brothers, and the Oakland‑based Microbrew Co.—paired with a rotating menu of small plates. Food writer and festival guest, Michael B. Allen, notes that the pairing session “creates a dialogue between the hop notes and the spice profile of the dish.”

Meanwhile, the farmers’ market will feature over 30 vendors selling heirloom tomatoes, hand‑crafted cheeses, and wild‑flower honey. A “Kids’ Kitchen” corner is set up for children to learn how to make pizza dough and vegan ice cream. The festival’s “Foodie Olympics” will have a cooking competition judged by local food critics, with a grand prize of a week’s worth of groceries from the festival’s top producers.

Community Impact and Future Plans

In a press release released by the City of Oakland’s Parks and Recreation Department, the mayor’s office highlighted the festival’s contribution to the local economy. “The Mohi Food & Wine Festival is an essential driver of tourism and local commerce, showcasing Oakland’s rich culinary culture while supporting small businesses and promoting sustainable practices,” the mayor’s spokesperson said. The department also noted that the festival’s attendance surpassed the city’s projected number of 5,000 visitors, resulting in a significant increase in sales tax revenue for the next fiscal year.

Looking ahead, the festival’s organizers are already planning a “Mohi Global Food Festival” for 2026, which will expand the program to include international chefs from Italy, Japan, and Mexico. Maya Rodriguez also announced a partnership with the California Culinary Academy to provide internship opportunities for culinary students.

Links Worth Following

The festival’s website, www.mohifoodwinefest.com, provides a downloadable map of the event and a detailed vendor list. The “Sustainability Commitment” page reveals the festival’s zero‑waste policy, which includes compostable utensils and a donation program for leftover food. The Oakland Food Hall’s page, accessible via a link in the festival’s press release, highlights the food hall’s 20‑year history of championing local producers. Lastly, a link to the East Bay Community Food Bank’s donation portal offers insight into how attendees can contribute to the cause.

For those planning to attend, tickets are available online and in person at the event’s main entrance. The festival’s social media pages are active with updates and behind‑the‑scenes footage, so visitors can stay in the loop via @MohiFoodWine on Instagram and Twitter.

With its vibrant blend of culinary artistry, sustainable sourcing, and community engagement, the Mohi Food & Wine Festival’s second edition promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Oakland’s food culture. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie, a casual gourmand, or simply curious about the region’s agricultural heritage, the festival offers a welcoming, educational, and indulgent experience for all.