Michele Stueven
This weekend’s three-day BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach brought its unique dining experience hosted by Daou Vineyards back to the main stage, featuring a culinary set list prepared by chefs including Josiah Citrin, Antonia Lofaso, pastry chef Stephanie Boswell, Jacob Ramos and partners Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George from Camphor.
Located directly next to performers that included The Black Keys, Gwen Stefani, The Black Crowes and Modest Mouse with a panoramic view of the festival and the King Harbor marina, guests wined and dined into the sunset.
L.A. native chef Ramos and Food Network star Boswell served brunch alongside Sugar Ray and DAMA’s Lofaso prix fixe menu accompanied the songs of Stefani.
Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George from Camphor (Michele Stueven)
For the festival’s finale that included a performance by CAAMP, Camphor’s Boonthanakit and George delivered a searing four-course meal that included egg salad with black truffle over a celeriac slaw with remoulade (paired with a 2021 Daou chardonnay,) bluefin tuna tartare with kalamata olives and papadam, a bluenose sea bass with bay scallop ravioli, and a rich chocolate mousse with coffee granita worth a standing ovation for dessert.
Overseeing the curated wine list was Daou ambassador Marino Monferrato, the familiar face behind Hell’s Kitchen with chef Gordon Ramsay, who has served as the show’s maître d’hôtel for the past 10 seasons.
There also were plenty of other local food vendors on the festival grounds, including South Bay local Matt McIvor’s Proudly Serving smash burgers, who will be opening his first brick-and-mortar a few blocks away from the beach in September, and a swinging karaoke corner courtesy of Jack Daniels.
Camphor egg salad with black truffle and 2021 Daou chardonnay (Michele Stueven)