Celebrity chefs add spice to Latin Food Fest

Peruvian-born chef Ricardo Zarate, known for his innovative take on indigenous South American cuisine, and Tati Polo, a chef and host of Univision’s morning show “Despierta America,” will be the featured guests at this year’s Latin Food Fest Friday and Saturday, Aug. 17-18.

The event at Embarcadero Marina Park North, 500 Kettner Blvd., is expected to attract a crowd of more than 10,000.

On Friday, the main event is Chef’s Night Out, a high-energy party hosted by Tati Polo. Saturday is the Gran Tasting San Diego, with stations serving food, wine, beer and spirits, cooking and wine demonstrations, chef awards and a four-hour performance by La Junta Sound System and Sol e Mar. Zarate and Polo will be among the chefs doing cooking demonstrations.

Tickets for Friday’s party, 7:30-10:30 p.m., are $25 (or $35 for early entry at 6:30 p.m.). Tickets for the Gran Tasting from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday are $30 for general admission; $25 for designated driver; $38 for early admission (11 a.m.); and $149 for VIP.

For more information and tickets, visit www.latinfoodfest.com/events.