Experiences

The Bayou Social Brunch by Chef Leilani

Spice, Soul & Southern Sass ft. Theopolis Vineyards & DJ Nash Chanel

Located on The Vineyard Deck

Chef Leilani Baugh kicks off this year’s festival with a celebration of Creole cuisine rooted in West Indies, Caribbean, African, Spanish, and French influences that shaped Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage. Featuring Gulf shrimp and grits, crabcake Benedict with etouffee, fried chicken and waffles, oxtail hash, and rum peach cobbler, paired with Theopolis Vineyards’ elegant wines. DJ Nash Chanel spins the perfect soundtrack for this decadent exploration of Creole cuisine.

Afternoon BBQ with Chef-In-Residence Darryl Bell ft. DJ Mara Hruby

ft. Chef Collaboration from Slanted Door & Brown Estate Wines

Located on The Vineyard Deck

Chef-owner Darryl Bell of Stateline Road Smokehouse in downtown Napa melds his Kansas City upbringing with his Michelin training to create a culinary experience like no other. Each afternoon, Chef Bell welcomes a new guest chef to the Vineyard Deck kitchen for collaborative dishes, complementing Stateline’s famous Cherry Wood-Smoked Maitake Mushrooms, BBQ Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Brentwood Corn, Honey Cornbread, and Rancho Gordo Beans and Greens. Guests at this special afternoon residency will enjoy wines from Brown Estate along with their sister label House of Brown, all sustainably produced and vegan-friendly. It’s a poignant pairing: Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery joining forces with Napa’s first Black-owned restaurant.

Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement Picnic

with Chef Fernay McPherson

Pickup in The Black Vines® Wine Garden

Transform your festival experience with a thoughtfully curated picnic, elegantly packed in a branded tote—perfect for savoring on the move. Dive into Minnie Bell’s signature Fried Chicken Sandwich—or savor the bold fried Oyster Mushroom Sandwich—alongside vibrant green bean salad, rich mac & cheese, refreshing watermelon salad, and homemade cookies. Plus, discover surprise treats from innovative Bay Area food entrepreneurs. Take your picnic to the next level of luxury: Add Chef Fernay’s famous Deviled Eggs topped with caviar from Caviar Dream. This unforgettable treat comes from the first Black- and female-owned nationally distributed caviar business in the United States.

Sweet Traditions, Bold Twists with Chef Andra Dynese Harris

Exploring the Soul of Southern Sweets Through Global Flavors

Located in The Food & Wine Center

Join acclaimed chef Andra Dynese Harris for an unforgettable journey through Black Southern confections—where tradition meets innovation in the most delicious way possible. This isn’t just a dessert demo; it’s a heartfelt exploration that honors the deep roots of generational recipes while fearlessly reimagining them for today. Through live cooking, rich storytelling, and an indulgent tasting experience, you’ll discover the powerful histories behind beloved classics like banana pudding, pound cake, and sweet potato pie—then watch them transform with unexpected global flavors like Okinawa sugar, bright yuzu, and aromatic lemongrass cream. Set to a soundtrack of curated melodies that capture the essence of the Black Radio Experience, this immersive celebration engages all your senses. It’s where heritage meets innovation, where every bite tells a story, and where the universal languages of rhythm and flavor create connections that linger long after the last spoonful.

Conscious Caviar in the Cave with Caviar Dream

featuring Laurent Perrier Champagne

Located in The Estate Cave

Indulge your senses and reimagine luxury with a tasting experience that blends bold flavor, rich culture, and undeniable vibe. Returning for a second year, the Black Radio Experience welcomes Caviar Dream founder Kendra Anderson and co-founder Christine LeMieux, trailblazers behind the country’s first nationally distributed, Black-and female-owned caviar brand, for a decadent, hands-on journey through four premium caviar and roe varieties, paired with lyric-driven hip hop selections that feed both the mind and the palate. You’ll explore the art of selecting, serving, and savoring caviar, sample both classic and creative accompaniments, and discover unexpected pairings that range from playful to provocative. Perfect for both curious newcomers and seasoned connoisseurs, this intimate session includes a keepsake mother-of-pearl spoon and pairing guide, plus exclusive product discounts. Elevate your palate, your playlist, and your perspective.

Code Switch by Robert Glasper & Chef Ken Polk

A Jazz Remix of Foods Influenced by the African Diaspora with Wines by Wade Cellars

Located in The Food & Wine Center

The dynamic duo returns, Robert Glasper and Chef Ken Polk, of Kenspiration Kitchen and Batter & Berries in Chicago, invite you to explore the rich culinary influences of the African Diaspora through a new lens. Titled Code Switch, this experience’s bites reimagine Southern and African flavors – enjoy a playful demonstration and twists on southern jambalaya inspired by jollof rice and Spanish paella, savory beignets and wine-roasted peaches. Join us for a soulful, musical journey into the roots and remixing of history and flavor—an engaging, intimate exploration of how culture, jazz, and cuisine continue to evolve together. Paired with the wines of Wade Cellars.

The Palate, The Pour & The Pulse with Chef Darryl Bell ft. The Soul Rebels

with Master Sommelier Chris Gaither & Brown Estate

Located in The Food & Wine Center

At the center of this experience is Chef Darryl Bell, whose approach to cuisine is rooted in discipline, detail, and perspective. As the first Black chef-owner of a restaurant in Napa Valley since the 1800’s, his work carries intention. Each bite reflects years of technique, cultural memory, and a drive to carve space where there hasn’t been one before. Paired with wines from Brown Estate—Napa’s first Black-owned estate winery—Master Sommelier Chris Gaither adds depth and dimension to the dialogue. Alongside the brass-fueled energy of The Soul Rebels, this immersive tasting invites guests into the conversation through food, wine, and rhythm.

Morning Groove Yoga with Ivorie

A free morning yoga practice. Signup required. Approx. 60 minutes.

Located in The Estate Cave

Start your day by emphasizing the mind-body connection with a yoga practice led by experienced LA-based teacher Ivorie Jenkins. Expect an all-levels class that blends gentle stretches, energizing poses, and connection to breath to harmonize your body and mind before diving into a day of music. This class is about more than stretching—it’s about tuning into the frequencies of joy, resilience, and creativity that jazz embodies. You’ll leave feeling aligned and ready to fully embrace the festival!

This experience is exclusively available to hotel guests.

Sazón & Soul Brunch by Chef Nelson German ft. beats by Juanchii

A Dominican Culinary Vibe for the Culture ft. Symphony No. 3 Rum & McBride Sisters

Located on The Vineyard Deck

Turn up the heat with Sazón & Soul — a brunch rooted in Dominican flavor and Afro-diasporic pride. Curated by Chef Nelson German this brunch is a journey through flavor, memory, and cultural connection. Chef Nelson brings his Washington Heights roots and Afro-Dominican heritage to the plate with an elevated take on Los Tres Golpes, silky Morir Soñando, and handcrafted Mamajuana cocktails that warm the soul. His cooking tells a story — not just of the Dominican Republic, but of the greater African diaspora and its imprint on global cuisine. This is more than a brunch. It’s a celebration of who we are, where we come from, and the joy of gathering over food that speaks volumes. Imbibe with Symphony No. 3 Rum cocktails, made by the team at Sobre Mesa and refreshing McBride Sisters wine pairings.

Afternoon BBQ with Chef-In-Residence Darryl Bell ft. DJ Bryan-Michael Cox

ft. Chef Collaboration from Moro & Brown Estate Wines

Located on The Vineyard Deck

Chef-owner Darryl Bell of Stateline Road Smokehouse in downtown Napa melds his Kansas City upbringing with his Michelin training to create a culinary experience like no other. Each afternoon, Chef Bell welcomes a new guest chef to the Vineyard Deck kitchen for collaborative dishes, complementing Stateline’s famous Cherry Wood-Smoked Maitake Mushrooms, BBQ Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Brentwood Corn, Honey Cornbread, and Rancho Gordo Beans and Greens. Guests at this special afternoon residency will enjoy wines from Brown Estate along with their sister label House of Brown, all sustainably produced and vegan-friendly. It’s a poignant pairing: Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery joining forces with Napa’s first Black-owned restaurant.

Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement Picnic

with Chef Fernay McPherson

Pickup in The Black Vines® Wine Garden

Transform your festival experience with a thoughtfully curated picnic, elegantly packed in a branded tote—perfect for savoring on the move. Dive into Minnie Bell’s signature Fried Chicken Sandwich—or savor the bold fried Oyster Mushroom Sandwich—alongside vibrant green bean salad, rich mac & cheese, refreshing watermelon salad, and homemade cookies. Plus, discover surprise treats from innovative Bay Area food entrepreneurs. Take your picnic to the next level of luxury: Add Chef Fernay’s famous Deviled Eggs topped with caviar from Caviar Dream. This unforgettable treat comes from the first Black- and female-owned nationally distributed caviar business in the United States.

Food, Wine, and What We’re Made Of with Chef Jammir Gray

with Justin Michelle Ward of Ward Four Wines

Located in the Food & Wine Center

As the festival turns up, join winemaker Justin Michelle Ward Trabue and chef Jammir Gray for an experience that blends bold flavor with meaningful storytelling. Both were introduced to their craft at a young age—Justin through her family’s connection to farming, cooking, and gathering around the table; Jammir through the kitchen, where she learned that food could be both creative expression and an act of care. Today, their work is grounded in respect—for the land, for local growers, and for the cultural traditions that shaped them. From sustainably farmed vineyards to seasonal ingredients, every choice reflects intention. What We’re Made Of is a celebration of those roots—of how we carry legacy forward through food, wine, and community.

Where Notes Meet Nuance with Chef Jammir Gray ft. James Francies

with Master Sommelier Chris Gaither & Brown Estate

Located in The Estate Cave

An immersive journey through taste, sound, and sensation invites you into a layered sensory experience where each element is intentional and each moment designed to be felt. Guided by Master Sommelier, Chris Gaither, this intimate tasting features the wines of Brown Estate, a cornerstone in Black winemaking in Napa. Each pour is thoughtfully paired with refined, expressive bites from Chef Jammir Gray, created to mirror mood, memory, and texture. Set with music and conversation curated by James Francies, whose compositions are as intricate as they are emotive, the experience unfolds like a masterfully crafted composition.

Pour Decisions, Great Taste by Brenae Royal ft. Little Brother

with Chef Joseph L. Paire III

Located in The Food & Wine Center

Vintner, Brenae Royal returns to the Food & Wine Center for an exclusive, chef’s table-style experience. This intimate activation offers a multi-course sampling centered around three of the six wines from her Violet’s Paradise collection, accompanied by curated bites and in-depth storytelling with returning Chef Joseph L. Paire III. Guests will gain a deeper, more personal understanding of the wines’ stories and inspirations, exploring how they reflect culture, artistry, and innovation. This experience is designed to evoke reflection and connection, illustrating how wine, food, and storytelling can transport you to a place of memory and emotion. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the full expression of culture, flavor, and craftsmanship at the heart of the festival.

Morning Groove Yoga with Ivorie

A free morning yoga practice. Signup required. Approx. 60 minutes.

Located in The Estate Cave

Start your day by emphasizing the mind-body connection with a yoga practice led by experienced LA-based teacher Ivorie Jenkins. Expect an all-levels class that blends gentle stretches, energizing poses, and connection to breath to harmonize your body and mind before diving into a day of music. This class is about more than stretching—it’s about tuning into the frequencies of joy, resilience, and creativity that jazz embodies. You’ll leave feeling aligned and ready to fully embrace the festival!

This experience is exclusively available to hotel guests.

Taste of the Caribbean by Chef Sean Streete ft. DJ Jahi Sundance

A Jamaican & Trinidadian Brunch ft. Wine Pairings by Black Vines®

Located on The Vineyard Deck

Building on the diaspora journey, Chef Sean Streete, creative force behind Lita Restaurant in Walnut creek, returns to the Black Radio Experience. With deep roots in Jamaica and Trinidad’s vibrant culinary and cultural traditions, he offers a brunch honoring heritage with the bold, soulful flavor of his family legacy. Expect fiery jerk chicken, tangy escovitch, hearty buljol, nourishing callaloo, alongside classic plantains and rice & peas—each dish crafted with authentic spices and a personal touch. Chef Streete blends traditional techniques with modern flair, delivering a menu that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Afternoon BBQ with Chef-In-Residence Darryl Bell ft. DJ Mara Hruby

ft. Chef Collaboration from Mother’s Tacos & Brown Estate Wines

Located on The Vineyard Deck

Chef-owner Darryl Bell of Stateline Road Smokehouse in downtown Napa melds his Kansas City upbringing with his Michelin training to create a culinary experience like no other. Each afternoon, Chef Bell welcomes a new guest chef to the Vineyard Deck kitchen for collaborative dishes, complementing Stateline’s famous Cherry Wood-Smoked Maitake Mushrooms, BBQ Chicken, Baby Back Ribs, Brentwood Corn, Honey Cornbread, and Rancho Gordo Beans and Greens. Guests at this special afternoon residency will enjoy wines from Brown Estate along with their sister label House of Brown, all sustainably produced and vegan-friendly. It’s a poignant pairing: Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery joining forces with Napa’s first Black-owned restaurant.

Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement Picnic

with Chef Fernay McPherson

Pickup in The Black Vines® Wine Garden

Transform your festival experience with a thoughtfully curated picnic, elegantly packed in a branded tote—perfect for savoring on the move. Dive into Minnie Bell’s signature Fried Chicken Sandwich—or savor the bold fried Oyster Mushroom Sandwich—alongside vibrant green bean salad, rich mac & cheese, refreshing watermelon salad, and homemade cookies. Plus, discover surprise treats from innovative Bay Area food entrepreneurs. Take your picnic to the next level of luxury: Add Chef Fernay’s famous Deviled Eggs topped with caviar from Caviar Dream. This unforgettable treat comes from the first Black- and female-owned nationally distributed caviar business in the United States.

Minnie Bell’s Super Soul Brunch Demo ft. Robert Glasper

with bubbles by The McBride Sisters

Presented by Lexus

Located in The Food & Wine Center

What happens when a Grammy-winning musician steps into the kitchen with one of the Bay Area’s most beloved chefs? You get pancakes with groove, brunch with a backbeat, and a morning that feels like home. Chef Fernay McPherson of Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement is bringing her Sunday best—sweet potato pancakes topped with pecan butter and blackberry syrup—and Robert Glasper is right there beside her, playing sous chef for the day. (Yes, he’ll be flipping, maybe even whisking. Apron optional.) This isn’t just a cooking demo—it’s a love letter to Sunday mornings: warm, easy, full of flavor and feeling. Add in bubbles from the McBride Sisters, and you’ve got a gathering that hits all the right notes.

The Sweet Sound of Legacy with Chef Andra Dynese Harris ft. Kim Burrell

A Tasting Tribute to Black Desserts and the Stories They Tell

Located in The Estate Cave

Join chef Andra Dynese Harris in the festival’s wine cave for a unique five-course dessert experience that reimagines iconic Black Southern sweets with global flavors and modern techniques. You’ll taste classics transformed—sweet potato tart elevated with miso, fried pound cake paired with peach yuzu caramel, and banana foster reinvented as a cornbread donut. Each dish comes with stories about its cultural roots and culinary evolution, plus a hands-on demo to inspire your own cooking. This immersive experience combines exceptional flavors with cultural storytelling, giving you both incredible desserts and deeper appreciation for Black culinary heritage. Perfect for food lovers who want to taste innovation while learning the stories behind the flavors.

California Roots with Chef Nick Wells ft. Terrace Martin

A Culinary & Music Fusion with Wine by 280 Project’s Chris Renfro

Located in The Food & Wine Center

Join us for an immersive demonstration and tasting as Chef Nick Wells of the Inn at Newport Ranch, Grammy-winning musician Terrace Martin, and Wine Entrepreneur Chris Renfro, explore how California shapes their art. Chef Nick draws from California’s coastlines, mountains, and valleys to create dishes that reflect the terrain around him – seasonal and deeply rooted. Terrace Martin builds sonic worlds that move between improvisation and structure, shaped by the spirit of Los Angeles and a commitment to telling the truth through music. Chris Renfro, founder of The 280 Project and Friend of a Friend, works at the edge of tradition, growing wine in unexpected places and creating space for new voices to thrive. Together, they explore how environment, intention, and lived experience show up in what they make and why it matters.

Black Wall Streets by Chef Christina Alexis ft. Goapele

A Taste of 1930s West Oakland.

Located in The Food & Wine Center

Chef Christina Alexis of The Pleasure Principle invites you to explore the spirit of 1930s West Oakland, where Black enterprise, artistry, and nightlife thrived against the odds. Inspired by the legacy of Slim Jenkins’ Café, once a beacon of style and sound on 7th Street, this event brings history to the table through food, music, and memory. Chef Christina draws from her Afro-Caribbean roots, Bay Area upbringing, and family traditions to craft a menu layered with memory and intent. Acclaimed singer Goapele brings presence and voice, carrying the energy of a neighborhood that shaped its own rhythm. The wines come from Martha Stoumen, whose minimal-intervention style lets the fruit lead, bright and natural, with nothing getting in the way.