August 4, 2014
GastroMagic: The Interactive Culinary Stage at Outside Lands
EDGE READ TIME: 5 MIN.
Taking its magical food and drink experience to another level and celebrating San Francisco culinary culture even further, Outside Lands introduces GastroMagic, a new area within the festival complete with an additional stage and fantastical entertainment in the way of star personalities, food, cocktails, comedy, improv, music, and of course sorcery.
Found within the woods of McLaren Pass and neighboring Choco Lands, GastroMagic will be a place where wild concoctions take place. The area will have a mod vibe, its own stage, a lounge, and audience seating.
The GastroMagic lineup was programmed in partnership with San Francisco's Chefs Feed to allow chefs, butchers, musicians, mixologists, comedians, improvisers, dancers, and magicians to share the spotlight and to offer a perspective on food that promises to stimulate all five senses. Names to look for include Christopher Kostow, Chris Cosentino, Brandon Jew, Evan Rich, Paul Grieco, Dave McLean, Big Freedia, Holy Ghost!, Duck Sauce, and Lewis Black.
Additionally, a collection of San Francisco's most enchanting cocktail bars will be on hand, curating mixology magic; these include 15 Romolo, 1760, Alembic, The Homestead, Local Edition, and Hotsy Totsy. Keeping appetites in check, a new vendor, BaconLand, will also be found within GastroMagic serving a menu of bacon flights with the country's very best swine selections, including local favorite Fatted Calf and Tennessee's acclaimed Benton Bacon. The menu will also offer Grilled Cheeses with Bacon with cheese from San Francisco's Cowgirl Creamery.
Several of the GastroMagic performances will have an intimate tasting table component where fans will have the opportunity to indulge in what is created during the show. These will be announced online prior to the festival. Seats are complimentary and will be given on a first come, first serve basis onsite to the first ten fans to arrive before that particular performance.
Now in its seventh year, Outside Lands has become a cherished event that the city of San Francisco has embraced. Fans from across the country flock to spend an incomparable weekend in one of America's greatest parks. Each year, festival organizers ensure that every facet of the event highlights the Bay Area and all of the components that make it one of the most desirable places to live and visit. In its first six years, Outside Lands raised over $8.3 million for the benefit of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department.
The Line-Up
FRIDAY
Hampton Creek chef and former "Top Chef" contestant Chris Jones changes food's molecular anatomy and flavor profile, and talks about the future of food technology.
Award-winning chef Chris Cosentino teams up with a musician to discuss the creative process of food and music.
A discussion about a bittersweet love for Amaro and all its nuances.
A party for the senses ensues with Holy Ghost! spinning and Donald Wressell of Guittard Chocolate Company creating a masterpiece on stage.
?
SATURDAY
Chefs Feed's beloved video series comes to Outside Lands; comedian Matt Besser weighs in as these talented San Francisco chefs read, cry and laugh at the worst of their reviews.
A New Orleans style brunch like no other, Big Freedia shakes and bounces all over the stage and audience members who answer her call to twerk will be awarded with beignets.
A round table discussion with San Francisco's award-winning Rich Table takes on a medieval theme.
This lively tasting panel led by comedian Lewis Black will determine which goes best, beer, wine or bourbon, with Southpaw BBQ's creations.
This soiree will treat the audience to beats by Duck Sauce and bites by Brandon Jew.
SUNDAY
Christopher Kostow, three Michelin-starred chef and author of "A New Napa Cuisine", joins the stage with a musician.
San Francisco's renowned Shakespeare comedy troupe brings a kitchen theme and plenty of laughs to the Bard's work.
Fatted Calf competes against female butchery shop Avedano's to break down a pig while professional dancers breakdance on stage.
With a game show inspired format, Craig Robinson hosts as sister restaurants Marlowe and Park Tavern compete against one another in kitchen challenges and trivia.
A discussion of mezcal is amplified by a troupe of mambo dancers and a limbo contest.