The San Francisco Peninsula Spotlights Heritage Fire as Part of Multi-Year Culinary Initiative Celebrating the Region’s Global Food Culture

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 17, 2026--

The San Francisco Peninsula continues to build momentum around its recently launched multi-year culinary initiative with the addition of Heritage Fire San Mateo, a signature live-fire culinary experience that will take place Sunday, July 26 at Coyote Point Recreation Area.

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Part of the global Heritage Fire & Whiskies of the World Tour, the event underscores the Peninsula’s growing reputation as one of California’s most vibrant and diverse dining destinations. By bringing together leading local chefs, farmers, ranchers and culinary artisans for an immersive open-flame cooking experience, Heritage Fire reflects the core pillars of the initiative – celebrating regional ingredients, elevating culinary talent and showcasing the Peninsula’s rich multicultural influences.

“The San Francisco Peninsula’s culinary identity is defined by its diversity of flavors, strong agricultural roots and extraordinary talent,” said Maggie Lang, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer for The San Francisco Peninsula. “As we invest in a multi-year effort to tell our destination’s food story, Heritage Fire is a natural fit as it brings our culinary community together in a way that is authentic, experiential and deeply connected to this region.”

Home to more than 50 working farms and fisheries, over 25 Michelin-recognized restaurants and a tapestry of more than 80 global cuisines, the Peninsula offers a uniquely immersive food experience, one that spans from coastal fishing docks and farmland to cutting-edge kitchens.

Heritage Fire San Mateo will showcase this diversity through a walk-around tasting format, where guests can engage directly with chefs as they prepare dishes over live flame. Attendees will enjoy unlimited tastings of fire-cooked cuisine alongside curated selections of whiskey, bourbon, wine, beer and craft cocktails in a vibrant outdoor setting.

As part of the experience, guests will vote on their favorite dish, with the winning chef earning the title of “Heritage Hero” and the opportunity to advance to the tour’s Grand Finale.

“Events like Heritage Fire help bring our culinary initiative to life by creating meaningful connections between visitors, chefs and locals,” Lang added. “It’s an opportunity to experience the Peninsula’s food culture not just by tasting it, but by understanding the people and traditions behind it.”

The inclusion of Heritage Fire within the Peninsula’s culinary programming reflects a broader strategy to elevate food tourism and position the region as a must-visit destination for culinary travel. Through partnerships with nationally recognized events and local innovators, the initiative aims to amplify storytelling around sustainability, seasonality and cultural diversity in dining.

“Coyote Point has long been one of San Mateo County's most treasured outdoor spaces, with its sweeping bayside views and natural beauty making it the perfect backdrop for an event that celebrates community and connection," said Nick Calderon, Deputy County Executive and former County Parks Director of San Mateo County. "Hosting Heritage Fire here reflects exactly the spirit our parks were designed for - bringing people together to enjoy this incredible setting while celebrating the food, culture and traditions that make The Peninsula so special.”

Produced by a21, Heritage Fire spans multiple cities across the U.S. and Europe, with each location designed to reflect the unique culinary identity of its host destination.

Event Details

Early Entry

Price: $159

Access: 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For guests seeking the ultimate Heritage Fire experience, Early Entry admission includes priority access to the event and exclusive bourbon tastings featuring Justin's House of Bourbon, the renowned boutique spirits retailer known for offering one of the world's largest collections of rare and vintage bourbon.

General Admission

Price: $109

Access: 4:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

The tour proudly partners with Event Zero Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering positive environmental and social impact within the events industry. Through this collaboration, the series supports initiatives focused on reducing environmental footprints, promoting sustainable event practices and community engagement.

For tickets, participating chef announcements and additional event information, visit toursbya21.com.

ABOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA

The San Francisco Peninsula is the region’s official Destination Marketing Organization, dedicated to attracting meetings, conventions, business, and leisure travelers. The organization supports the local economy by promoting the area’s 140 hotels and over 250 attractions and travel-related businesses. The San Francisco Peninsula provides convention services, site selection assistance, local supplier contact information, visitor guides, and more. It is also designated to handle the region’s official Film Commission duties. The San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, doing business as The San Francisco Peninsula, is a 501(c)(6) non-profit corporation chartered by the State of California and governed by an independent Board of Directors. For more information, visit www.thesanfranciscopeninsula.com.

ABOUT HERITAGE FIRE

Heritage Fire is a nationwide live-fire food festival showcasing the talents of top local chefs, pitmasters, and culinary artisans. In 2026, the tour will expand internationally with its first overseas event set to debut in London. Each event features an open-air, walk-around tasting experience where all dishes are prepared over live flame, celebrating sustainable sourcing, whole-animal cooking, and regional ingredients. Known for its strong sense of place, Heritage Fire reflects the unique culinary culture of each host city through its lineup of chefs and flavors, complemented by curated wine, beer and spirit tastings. After savoring a diverse array of dishes and beverages, attendees vote for their favorite dish of the day. As the grand feast concludes, the chef who accumulates the highest number of votes earns the title of Heritage Hero. Winners from selected Heritage Fire events advance to the Heritage Hero Grand Finale, where the year’s top chefs compete for the title of Heritage Hero of the Year.

ABOUT WHISKIES OF THE WORLD

Whiskies of the World is one of the country’s leading spirits festivals, celebrating whiskey in all its forms, from smoky Islay scotches and small-batch American bourbons to innovative world whiskeys and emerging craft distilleries. Guests at Whiskies of the World events enjoy guided tastings, meet-the-maker moments, educational masterclasses, and access to hundreds of pours from both household names and up-and-coming producers. The experience is designed for both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.

ABOUT WHISKEY & FIRE

Whiskey & Fire is a collaborative event experience that brings together Heritage Fire and Whiskies of the World in select markets. The format pairs premium whiskey tastings with elevated flame-cooked cuisine from top local chefs and pitmasters, creating a dynamic celebration of food, drink and community.

ABOUT a21:

a21 is a full-service live experience agency, specializing in event operations, production, marketing, corporate sales, and brand activations for live experiences. Founded in 2006, a21’s portfolio includes internationally recognized events and festivals in South Florida and throughout the US: Food Network South Beach & New York City Wine & Food Festivals, Sunfest, Palm Beach Wine & Food Festival, Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Heritage Fire, and Whiskies of the World National Tours, AMP's suite of Art Fairs, International Wine & Spirits Competition and more. Learn more at https://www.teama21.com/.

High-resolution images can be downloaded HERE

Heritage Fire x Whiskies of the World Tour Powered by a21. Photo credit a21

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lashed out at NATO allies on Thursday, announcing a six-month Pentagon review of American forces in Europe that will depend on how fast they take responsibility for their own security.

“This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe leading, stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” he told his NATO counterparts in Brussels.

Hegseth lambasted European allies for failing to provide U.S. forces access to bases in Europe to launch attacks on Iran, calling it “shameful.”

“These allies, they put America’s sons and daughters, our sons and daughters, at risk by denying them the predictable access, basing and overflight that never should have been in question at all,” he said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that America’s allies in Europe must take the lead on the defense of their own continent and help turn NATO into “a read hard-line military alliance.”

At a meeting of NATO defense ministers, Hegseth called for a reboot of the 32-nation organization to turn it into a “NATO 3.0” capable of deterring any threat.

His remarks came a few weeks after the United States told its allies that it would no longer supply certain warships and aircraft if one of them comes under attack. European allies and Canada are trying to work out how to plug the gaps.

“NATO 3.0 is post-Cold War recognition that (NATO) needs to go back to a real hard-line military alliance that has real military capabilities capable of deterring right here on the continent and taking the lead for the conventional defense of Europe,” Hegseth said.

As part of that, he told reporters, the United States would be investing $1.5 trillion in its own defense in 2027, sending “a message to the world” that America is building an “arsenal of freedom.”

Hegseth said that this arsenal “first and foremost protects America and American interests but also backstops the strength of NATO and our allies.”

He said he would tell U.S. allies they “have to be willing to stand up and do something in a strong way about” the defense of their own continent.

NATO’s supreme allied commander, an American, is working on backup plans to defend Europe after the U.S. signaled on June 3 that it would no longer supply an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refueling planes and dozens of fighter jets, among other military assets, in a crisis.

The Trump administration insists that it needs to be able to plan for two simultaneous conflicts and wants more military resources at hand should a conflict break out with China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Under NATO’s collective security guarantee – Article 5 of its founding treaty – the 32 allies pledge that an attack on one of them will be considered an attack on all. It does not oblige them to provide military support, although many likely would.

In essence, the United States is scaling back how it might help should an ally trigger Article 5. The U.S. has by far NATO’s biggest armed forces. It does not intend to withdraw its nuclear weapons in Europe, which are key to NATO’s deterrence.

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center right, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, center left, arrive for a media conference during a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrive for a media conference during a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press statement on arrival for a meeting of NATO defense ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)