On September 18th, Malibu Food & Wine opened its second annual weekend celebration with an intimate, star-powered evening at Saddlerock Ranch, hosted by Academy Award winner Charlize Theron in support of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP). Set among Malibu’s rolling hills and vineyards, the opening-night gathering paired acclaimed culinary talent, exceptional wines and a shared commitment to philanthropy.
More than 150 guests gathered Friday evening for the benefit dinner, which supported CTAOP’s work advancing the health, safety and opportunities of young people throughout Southern Africa. Theron founded the organization in 2007, and the night’s purpose was felt throughout the celebration—from the warm, personal exchanges with guests to the collective sense of community around the table.
Founded by husband-and-wife team Chef Marcel Vigneron and Lauren Rae Levy, Malibu Food & Wine returned following a successful inaugural year. The three-day event reflects the founders’ vision of bringing together culinary excellence, thoughtful brand partnerships and meaningful community impact in one distinctly Malibu setting.
Charlize Theron, host of Malibu Food & Wine’s Friday kickoff dinner, joins Co-Founders Chef Marcel Vigneron and Lauren Rae Levy, alongside acclaimed chefs Andrew Zimmern, Bryan Voltaggio and Michael Voltaggio
Vigneron, whose career has made him one of Los Angeles’ most recognizable chefs, leads the festival’s culinary direction. Levy—an entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of LRL Group—oversees strategic partnerships and community engagement, helping shape an experience that feels both elevated and purpose-driven.
The evening began with a cocktail reception featuring tray-passed bites, fine wines, cocktails and interactive culinary moments. Guests enjoyed a live culinary demonstration presented by Snyder Diamond, where Chef Vigneron showcased Bosch technology alongside Aura California’s premium knife collection and Tumbler’s accessible knife-sharpening system. The demonstration also spotlighted Orgreenic, the cookware brand created by Levy and Vigneron.
The culinary presentation featured a distinguished lineup of chefs: Andrew Zimmern, Bryan Voltaggio, Michael Voltaggio and Vigneron. Wines were curated by featured vintner Baron Ziegler, founder of Marine Layer Wines, whose selections would later accompany each course of the evening’s seated dinner.
Adding a local touch, Malibu-based Kelly Furano’s Sandy Brew poured its plant-based beer, while Bruce’s Beans and Nice Coffee Roasters served nitro cold brew, espresso and iced lattes throughout the reception.
Live music from the Minta Spencer Collective set the mood, with sound presented by Aviator Nation Dreamland. Against the dramatic backdrop of Saddlerock Ranch, guests moved through the space as golden-hour light faded over the vineyards and surrounding mountains.
Following cocktails, attendees sat down for an intimate five-course, farm-to-table dinner. The menu was created collaboratively by Zimmern, the Voltaggio brothers and Vigneron, highlighting seasonal California ingredients and thoughtfully paired Marine Layer Wines.
The chefs drew from an exceptional group of purveyors, including Sea Stephanie Fish, Campo Grande, Schaller & Weber, the American Lamb Board and Seatopia, with abundant produce sourced from California farms. Each course reflected the festival’s larger point of view: ingredient-driven food, creative technique and a strong sense of place.
As dinner unfolded, the chefs and winemakers shared the stories behind the dishes and pairings, giving guests an immersive look at the process, inspiration and relationships that shaped the meal. The format transformed the dinner from a traditional tasting experience into a lively exchange between the culinary team and the guests gathered in support of CTAOP.
Among the notable attendees were Top Chef Season 23 winner Rhoda Magbitang, Man v. Food host Adam Richman, filmmaker Rupert Sanders, Melissa Cohen Biden, former NFL star Kyle Rudolph, Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel and celebrated photographer Normal Seeff.
Theron was a gracious and central presence throughout the evening. African guests frequently stopped to greet her, often leading to animated conversations in her native Afrikaans—a personal reminder of the connection between the Malibu gathering and CTAOP’s ongoing work in Southern Africa.
The visual setting was equally memorable. Designtonik created an elegant tablescape inspired by Malibu’s natural landscape, layering the dinner setting with a refined, organic sensibility that complemented the vineyard surroundings and the evening’s warm, communal atmosphere.
Guests departed with curated gift bags, but the lasting impression was the event’s sense of shared purpose. Malibu Food & Wine’s opening night brought chefs, winemakers, partners and guests together around food, hospitality and philanthropy—setting a high note for the weekend ahead.
Malibu Food & Wine continued Saturday with Italian Night (featured in video below), hosted by Adam Richman, followed by Sunday’s Country Cookout, which closed the three-day celebration at Saddlerock Ranch.
Photos Courtesy of Vivien Killilea/GettyImages | Featured photo: Charlize Theron, host of Malibu Food & Wine’s Friday kickoff dinner, joins Co-Founders Chef Marcel Vigneron and Lauren Rae Levy
Videographer: Semira Ben Amor
