Emeril Lagasse, José Andrés, Andrew Zimmern and Masaharu Morimoto are among the celebrity chefs set to appear on the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage at this year’s BottleRock Napa Valley, May 22-24.
One of the biggest changes this year is the addition of two new emcees: Green Day drummer Tré Cool and San Francisco Giants broadcaster and former pitcher George Kontos, who will join longtime stage host Liam Mayclem, KCBS’s “Foodie Chap.”
Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat
Chef Michael Voltaggio uses a flamethrower to blacken a tray of jerk chicken, to the concern of emcee Liam Mayclem, on the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage during the second day of BottleRock Napa Valley, in Napa, California, on Saturday, May 26, 2018. (Alvin Jornada / The Press Democrat)
The culinary stage, which has evolved into one of BottleRock’s signature attractions, regularly blurs the line between food festival and variety show. Past moments have included Martha Stewart cooking alongside Snoop Dogg, Masaharu Morimoto setting the world’s speed record for filleting a 200-pound tuna, chef Michael Voltaggio wielding a chainsaw and several appearances by Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry. Surprise guests have included singer Benson Boone, who performed his signature backflip on stage, and Guy Fieri, who made a guest appearance.
Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP
Michael Voltaggio, left, and Bryan Voltaggio are seen on the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage at the 2025 BottleRock Napa Valley on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Napa Valley Expo in Napa, Calif. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Will Bucquoy
Actress Cameron Diaz holds up a glass up rose on the Williams-Sonoma Culinary Stage at BottleRock in Napa, Friday, May 24, 2024. (Will Bucquoy)
This year’s lineup pairs chefs with musicians, comedians and celebrities, including the Backstreet Boys, Dave Grohl, Teddy Swims, Chelsea Handler, Fred Armisen and Phil Rosenthal. Other featured culinary personalities include “The Pasta Queen” Nadia Caterina Munno, Evan Funke, brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, and Napa Valley chefs Philip Tessier and Eddie Chavez.
Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat
Chef José Andrés of World Central Kitchen with Bradley Cooper keeping the crowds screaming at the Williams Sonoma Culinary Stage during BottleRock Napa Valley 2024 held in Napa on Saturday, May 25, 2024. (Erik Castro / For The Press Democrat)
Founded in 2013, BottleRock has become one of Northern California’s marquee festivals, drawing more than 40,000 attendees daily over Memorial Day weekend with its combination of music, wine, craft beer and high-profile food programming. Tickets routinely sell out within minutes.
Beyond the culinary stage, this year’s food lineup includes buzzy Bay Area restaurants Carabao, Stateline Road Smokehouse, The Charter Oak, Cochinita, PRESS and Petit Américain, chef Danny Stoller’s Bay Area pop-up, along with a range of food trucks and specialty vendors.
Sonoma County’s presence will be comparatively modest this year, with participants including Ausiello’s Homeslice Pizza of Santa Rosa, HopMonk Tavern, Gerard’s Paella and Petaluma’s Mariapilar Ice Creamery.
Dining and Cooking