MainStreet Oceanside is excited to announce the culinary talent featured at the 10th annual Taste of Oceanside VIP Experience on Friday, October 4 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Oceanside Museum of Art before the main Taste event on Saturday. This exclusive foodie event will kick off the Taste weekend, showcasing three of Oceanside’s top chefs: Saransh Oberoi of Curry & More, Roxana Pavel of Allmine, and Samantha Parker of The Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen. Each of these talented chefs will offer a unique take on global flavors, blending tradition with creativity, as they celebrate Oceanside’s dynamic and delicious food culture.
Saransh Oberoi – Curry & More
Chef Saransh Oberoi, the force behind Curry & More Indian Bistro, grew up in a family steeped in excellence, learning from his father, renowned Indian culinary master Chef Hemant Oberoi. Inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps, Saransh pursued formal training at the Culinary Institute of America and gained experience in world-class kitchens across London, New York, San Francisco, Mumbai, and Sydney. In 2020, he gained national recognition by defeating Bobby Flay on the popular Food Network show “Beat Bobby Flay.” He now operates Curry & More in Oceanside, with additional locations in San Marcos and Rancho Bernardo.
Roxana Pavel is the owner and operator of Allmine, a renowned scratch kitchen in Oceanside, California. Originally from a small village in Romania, Roxana grew up immersed in a culture of home-cooked, from-scratch meals, influenced by her grandmother, who led communal cooking for large events. Roxana earned a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism services from the Rochester Institute of Technology and worked in several fine dining establishments, including Hyatt’s Michelin-starred Blue Duck Tavern. After moving to Oceanside, she combined her extensive hospitality background and Romanian culinary roots to create Allmine, a restaurant dedicated to crafting dishes from high-quality, simple ingredients, all made in-house.
Samantha Parker – The Flying Pig
Born in Texas and raised in California, Chef Samantha grew up cooking alongside her grandmothers, creating meals that served as the cornerstone for family gatherings. Early on, she was instilled with a special appreciation for the value and versatility of locally sourced ingredients. After attending The Culinary Institute of America in Saint Helena, she returned home with sharpened skills, technique, and focus, finding a new home at The Flying Pig under original Chef Mario Moser. After many years at “The Pig,” Samantha went on to work at Campfire in Carlsbad and The Privateer in Oceanside. Now, she is back at The Flying Pig, bringing a new twist to their iconic “flip-flop fine dining” ethos.
Guests will also enjoy sweet treats from Handel’s Ice Cream and Strawberry Shack, drinks from Señor Grubby’s, music by local legend Lea Love & Swells OC, and a lowrider showcase by Member’s Only Car Club at the Taste of Oceanside VIP Experience on October 4 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Oceanside Museum of Art.
