Celebrate Latin foods, spirits at weekend fest

California’s biggest annual Latin culinary extravaganza comes to the Embarcadero this weekend. The seventh annual Latin Food Fest kicks off with Latin Spirits Festival from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16. On Saturday, Aug. 17, the Gran Tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. will feature food, wine, beer and spirits stations, cooking and wine demonstrations, chef awards and live music.

Both events are at Embarcadero Marina Park North, 500 Kettner Blvd.

Among chefs participating this year will be Enrique Olvera, Sindy Lazo, Javier Plascencia, Omar Limon, Marcela Valladolid and Ricardo Zarate.

The event also helps to raise money for the Hunger Coalition, which partners with schools and nonprofits to launch or expand free meal programs for kids.

Tickets for the spirits festival on Friday are $29 (or $49 for early entry) and Saturday’s Gran Tasting tickets are $35 for general admission, $49 for early entry and $149 for a VIP package.

Learn more online at latinfoodfest.com.