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May 21, 2026

Inside Culinary House West: Where Brands, Bites & Big Ideas Came Together

For more than 20 years, CBC HOUSE Program press trips have created an unmatched environment for connection, bringing together leading brands and top-tier media in settings designed for authentic engagement. 

From intentional scheduling and intimate touchpoints to exclusive access and turnkey execution, each element is designed to foster relationships that extend far beyond the event itself. The result is lasting connections, meaningful media coverage, and unforgettable moments..

This philosophy came to life to shape our first 2026 program: Culinary House West. 

A serene infinity pool at a Temecula wine country estate reflects a lone palm tree and open sky, with editors gathered at a shaded outdoor table in the background.

Set against the golden hills and rolling vineyards of Temecula, California, Culinary House West delivered just what HOUSE Programs are designed to do: create genuine, unhurried moments between brands and media that no press release, product mailer, deskside or trade show appearance can replicate. 

For four days, editors and brand partners cooked together, shared meals, gathered poolside, and dove into hands-on activities designed to inspire connection and discovery. Instead of simply learning about the products, the media experienced the brands firsthand. 

Trip By the Numbers 

18
Sponsor Brands		8
Days		19
Editors		25
Outlets Represented

The Recipe Behind Culinary House

What makes these programs successful (and what takes years to fine tune) is the invisible architecture underneath. From venue sourcing, media curation, activation sequencing, onsite logistics, supplier coordination, gift strategy, post-program follow-up; CBC handles every single element from end-to-end. 

Participating brands show up to a turnkey experience and spend their time on what actually matters: building lasting relationships with editors while they experience each brand firsthand.

At CBC, we offer unmatched, professional event management and execution experience while doubling as the hosts for media attendees – fostering connections in real time, ensuring a positive experience for brands and attendees.

Day 1: First Bites and Fresh Connections 


An Instagram Story from @bluesuedeschue captioned "fridge of my dreams" showing a refrigerator stocked floor-to-door with CBC PR client products including Organic Valley creamers and milks, Kern's juices, La Colombe coffees, Organic pasture-raised eggs, and Daisy cottage cheese.

The week kicked off with a crave-worthy welcome lunch from Tony Roma’s, giving guests a chance to settle in, unwind, and connect with fellow attendees after a day of travel. 

Guests then had the opportunity to experience Pernod Ricard’s spirits portfolio, mixing up refreshing cocktails and discovering the distinct flavors and versatility behind each brand. Throughout the experience, YETI’s versatile lineup of drinkware and entertaining essentials kept media (and their beverages) cool and refreshed. 

After an afternoon in the sun, Alden’s Organic Ice Cream provided the makings for a perfectly nostalgic ice cream bar, complete with all the toppings for an ideal cooldown moment.

A hand garnishes a spicy cocktail with a red chili pepper, set alongside a bottle of Absolut Tabasco chili pepper-flavored vodka, sliced lemons, and fresh peppers on a white marble surface.

That evening, Omaha Steaks turned dinner into an event of its own with an elevated surf-and-turf spread featuring grilled lobster skewers, Tomahawk ribeyes, garlic filet bites, and reserve wine pairings. It was the kind of welcome meal that immediately sets the tone for the week ahead.

Editors raise their wine glasses in a toast around a beautifully set dining table during a CBC PR HOUSE Program dinner, surrounded by white floral centerpieces, branded place settings, and a wine bottle, beneath a gold industrial chandelier with greenery on the wall behind them.

Day 2: Bacon, BBQ & Backyard Energy 

Day two brought the flavor – and a bit of friendly competition. 

HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Bacon started the morning with a hands-on showcase of its Oven Ready Bacon, complete with a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar and mini golf tournament while bacon cooked to perfection in just 20 minutes.

A smiling editor holds a branded drink and a putter on a putting green during a CBC HOUSE Program activity, with branded flags, manicured hedges, and a sweeping mountain and vineyard backdrop behind her.

Perdue followed with a lively poolside “Flock Party” lunch and grilling demo to celebrate BBQ season. The Grill Dads kept the energy high with interactive grilling tips, branded pool floats, and a spirited game of Nugg-O featuring fried and grilled chicken nugget bean bags.

Editors and brand representatives wearing Perdue-branded blue and yellow aprons play cornhole poolside at a CBC PR HOUSE Program activation, with a vineyard visible in the background.

Later that afternoon, guests traded poolside cocktails for vineyard views during a visit at Wilson Creek Winery, learning about the vineyard’s history and regenerative agriculture practices while touring the property and barrel rooms (all while sipping award-winning wine, of course!)

Back at the house, media gathered around the grills to watch the Masterbuilt Gravity Series in action. From comforting classics to creative grilled bites, the experience showcased the versatility and ease of Masterbuilt’s grilling technology while creating memorable, mouthwatering moments.

A chef in a colorful patterned jacket carves and plates grilled meat at an outdoor evening reception during a CBC HOUSE Program, as a group of editors gathers around the table to watch, drinks in hand, on a patio with palm trees in the background.

Day 3: Wellness, Wine & Homemade Pasta 

Ensure started the day with a morning yoga session that transitioned into a poolside breakfast with the brand’s registered dietitian. Tasting the brand’s Max Protein lineup post-movement, with a credentialed expert present, gave editors the story angles that matter most: not just product specs, but why it fits into real life.

An Ensure "Strength and Sip" branded sign sits in the foreground on a sunlit lawn as editors participate in an outdoor yoga session during a CBC HOUSE Program activation, seated in meditation pose on mats behind it.

Kern’s Nectar brought bright, tropical energy and fruit-forward flavors for an elevated cocktail and mocktail bar experience, paired with a curated lunch menu inspired by Kern’s signature flavors. Guests enjoyed creative beverages made with Kern’s nectars alongside complementary small bites designed to highlight the brand’s flavors.

A styled poolside bar setup for Kern's nectar drinks, featuring a "Kern's The Bar" menu sign, tropical floral arrangement, coconut cups, canned beverages, fresh oranges, edible flowers, and monstera leaves.

Kendall-Jackson brought the sips and laid-back wine country energy to happy hour with guided tastings, snack pairings, and its “find your wine bestie” experience, introducing media to the Vintner’s Reserve Crew. The experience featured guided tastings, curated snack pairings, and lively conversation, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that encouraged connection and discovery.

Two editors wearing "Wine Country" branded caps sip white wine at an outdoor tasting table during a CBC HOUSE Program, sunlight catching their glasses in a vineyard setting.

To close out the day, KitchenAid hosted an immersive pasta-making experience featuring the new Artisan® Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. Editors rolled up their sleeves and tested the mixer’s capabilities as they crafted fresh fettuccine, showcasing the product’s versatility and ease of use. The demo was followed by an intimate, family-style dinner with the brand team.

An editor in a dark apron uses a red KitchenAid stand mixer during a hands-on cooking activity at a CBC HOUSE Program, with another participant visible in the background of a well-appointed kitchen.

Day 4: One Last Bite Before Hitting the Road

To close out an unforgettable trip, CBC hosted a farewell brunch featuring favorites from Vital Farms, Daisy Brand, Organic Valley, Oroweat, Thomas’, NuTrail, and La Colombe. It was the perfect final gathering to share laughs over a delicious spread and soak in the energy that made the trip so special. While no one was ready for the program to end, the brunch served as the ideal sendoff before goodbye hugs, last-minute packing, and airport runs, leaving everyone already looking forward to future CBC HOUSE Programs.

A hand holds a white plate with two open-faced bagels — one topped with scrambled eggs and avocado, one with cottage cheese and cherry tomatoes — alongside a carton of Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs and a container of Daisy cottage cheese.

More Than an Event (& The Results are Rolling In)

What makes Culinary House West successful isn’t flashy production or oversized activations. It’s the feeling attendees leave with afterward.

For the media, the experience offered something increasingly rare: authentic access. No forced pitches. No staged moments. Just real conversations, memorable meals, and firsthand product experiences that naturally evolve into stronger stories and longer-lasting partnerships.

Results: Social & Traditional Media Coverage

3
Placements to date		87.5M
Impressions		281
Social Posts 		624.8K
Impressions
An Instagram Story from @carmenlikestoeat showing a welcome gift spread on a bed — branded swag, snacks, a Crocs bag, blanket, and wine country hat — alongside a caption praising @cerconebrown for "best event planning" and calling the 4-day immersive experience "royalty" treatment.
An Instagram Story from @cheerfulchoices captioned "poolside drinks with @kernsnectar" showing an iced bowl of Kern's Peach Nectar cans surrounded by edible flowers, lime wedges, and fresh mint on a marble surface.
An Instagram Story from @bluesuedeschue captioned "chat this was one of the best culinary experiences of my life," showing a chef in black gloves carving a perfectly cooked ribeye with roasted potatoes on a wooden board, tagging @chefericgep and @masterbuilt.

CBC’s HOUSE Program press trips  have been running for more than two decades. That longevity isn’t accidental – it’s the product of an agency that has built genuine relationships on both sides of the table, and has earned the trust of both by consistently delivering on an unusually difficult promise: an experience that feels authentic to everyone in the room.

Until next time 🍷✨

A group of approximately 18 editors and guests pose together in front of a large sculptural wine bottle at Wilson Creek Winery, palm trees and greenery behind them.

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