She’s the creator and executive producer of the Golden Foodie Awards and the founder of the OC Restaurant Association, OC Restaurant Week and the Pacific Wine & Food Classic, which returns to Newport Dunes Aug. 17 and 18 (tickets $150 to $200 per day, pacificwineandfood.com). Yes, Pamela Waitt certainly knows a thing or two about good food. “Restaurants are in my DNA,” says the Mission Viejo resident, who’s excited to launch the inaugural OC Burger Week July 14 to 20 (burgerweek.com). “I’ve been working closely with chefs since my early 20s, and I was fortunate to collaborate with all of the right people who shared my vision of putting Orange County on the map in a way that had never been done before.” And with PWFC ranking among America’s 10 Best Food Festivals according to USA Today, Waitt is continuing to cook up winning concepts for her beloved community. Here, she gives us a taste of a few of her favorite things.
“I love to splurge at Selanne Steak Tavern. The halibut with lemon risotto is my go-to dish.” Laguna Beach, selannesteaktavern.com
“We live in our backyard, and my favorite appliance is our DCS grill. I try to grill everything we eat because I think it tastes better!” BH1 Model 7 Series 48-inch traditional grill with rotisserie on cart, $8,738, Fisher & Paykel, Costa Mesa
“Jo Malone London has so many great scents, but the Lime Basil & Mandarin Luxury Candle smells like heaven.” $495, Jo Malone London, South Coast Plaza
“My dream vacation is a stay at the Santa Caterina resort on the Amalfi Coast. With the beautiful Mediterranean climate, the bluest waters and some of the best food in the world, I would never leave!” hotelsantacaterina.it
“I have a small obsession with Celine sunglasses. For me, the bigger, the better.” Butterfly sunglasses, $460, Celine by Hedi Slimane, South Coast Plaza
“I am a huge fan of glass art, and my all-time favorite glass artist is Kazuki Takizawa in Los Angeles.” “Stopper-Driven,” from the Two-Words series, price upon request, kazukitakizawa.com
“People close to me know that I have a very serious relationship with margaritas. Naturally, my favorite cookbook involves
zero cooking.” Cocktails: Modern Favorites to Make at Home, $20, Williams Sonoma, South Coast Plaza
Photography by: the brands; Portrait by Tae Kwon; kazuki takizawa, “stopper-driven” photo by robert wedemeyer; shot on location at newport dunes & waterfront marina
