Get Ready for Fig Fest!

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The 12th Annual Fig Fest is coming up next month at Fresno State.

Karla Stockli, head of the California Fig Advisory Board tells KMJ News, “California produces 100% of dried and 98% of fresh figs sold commercially, in the country. Although dried figs are available year-round, fresh figs are available May through December. The reason we have our annual Fig Fest in August, is to celebrate the bounty. All of the fresh varieties will be available, so guests will able to enjoy the best of the harvest, during that peak season.”

Some of the highlights at this year’s event, Stockli says, “We’ve got over 50 restaurants and food purveyors. They’re going to be roasting, poaching, and grilling figs, from fresh to dry, doing some port wine reductions with figs, pairing them with figs, and other proteins.”

Also being featured this year is celebrity chef Fabio Viviani.

Marilyn Cowley of Culinary Competitions International says, “he’s been on Cutthroat Kitchen; he has the number one show on Yahoo for cooking. He is a huge Italian personality.”

Viviani says “California rules when it comes down to figs for the action, and fig lovers.”

There will also be a beer and wine garden, with craft beers, California wines, as well as a fig and cheese pairing.

Click here for ticket information.