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SOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE TO WORLD PREMIERE AS OPENING NIGHT FILM AT THE 2015 NAPA VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

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somm-into-the-bottleDirector Jason Wise’s Widely Anticipated Follow-Up to His 2013 Hit Film SOMM Will Kick-Off the – 
Festival’s 5th Edition on November 11

The Napa Valley Film Festival 2015 announced that Samuel Goldwyn FilmsSOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE will have its world premiere as the Opening Night Film on November 11, 2015. SOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE is writer/director Jason Wise’s highly anticipated follow-up to his 2013 acclaimed film SOMM, which provided viewers with an illuminating look into the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers and the massively intimidating Master Sommelier Exam. SOMM also world premiered as the Opening Night Film at the Napa Valley Film Festival, at the festival’s second edition in 2012.

DLynn Proctor in SOMM_INTO THE BOTTLE (1)Through the eyes of the world’s greatest somms and winemakers, SOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE raises the curtain on the seldom-seen world that surrounds the wine we drink by allowing viewers intimate access to the most accomplished sommeliers in the world, as well as to some of the most prestigious winemakers working today. By opening some of the world’s most rare bottles of wine, the viewer will understand how a wine ages, what happens in a cellar and exactly what oak in wine means. The film takes a look at how history has impacted wine, from the Romans, to Prohibition, to the World Wars and even current events such as the Napa Earthquake.

jason wise“We were honored in 2012 to host the world premiere of SOMM, so it makes it doubly sweet to be hosting the world premiere of the sequel, SOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE,” said NVFF Executive & Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “If you know and love wine, you know that when you plant a new vineyard, it takes five years until the grapes are good enough to go ‘into the bottle,’ so we’re thrilled to open our fifth annual Napa Valley Film Festival with such a prestigious film.”

Filmmaker Jason Wise, a 2015 Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker, added: “The Napa Valley Film Festival provided an excellent launching pad for SOMM, and I’m very excited to be returning to where it all started with SOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE. I could not imagine premiering the film anywhere else, and I am proud to share it with the Napa community.”

somm MSThe Napa Valley Film Festival’s Opening Night, Wednesday, November 11, will feature a pair of screenings of SOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE. The premiere itself will screen at 5:00 p.m. at the Uptown Theater (1350 3rd St.) in downtown Napa, a historic art deco movie palace serving as the headquarter theater for the festival. Filmmaker Jason Wise will be in attendance, as will renowned sommeliers: Brian McClintic, Ian Cauble, Fred Dame, DLynn Proctor and Geoff Kruth, who are featured in the film and were also featured in SOMM.

15630479190_08fe91d7b3_zAdmission will be granted to members of NVFF’s Patron Circle (memberships available) and other invited VIP guests. A limited number of individual tickets may also be available in advance. An encore screening at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Theater will be open to all festival passholders.

NVFF’s Opening Night Party will be held following the premiere screening at Napa’s Riverfront Promenade at the Napa River Inn.
A Forgotten Man Films production, SOMM: INTO THE BOTTLE is directed by Jason Wise, written by Jason Wise and Christina Wise and produced by Jason Wise, Christina Wise and Jackson Myers. Executive produced by Diane Carpenter and William Fowler. Co-produced by Geoff Kruth.

Napa Film Fest 2015Goldwyn plans an early 2016 release for the film. For more information, please visit:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sommdocfilm
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOMM_FILM
Instagram: https://instagram.com/somm_film/

 

Iron Horse Vineyards with CEO Joy Anne Sterling, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County Wine Country

Iron Horse Vineyards is one of Sonoma County’s most beautiful,
Sonoma Co June 2015 025small, independent, estate, family-owned wineries. It is located in cool and foggy Green Valley. You can get lost if you don’t pay attention to the sign, and don’t trust your GPS, it might get you to the back road which we did!

The founding partners, Audrey and Barry Sterling first saw it in the iron horse 4pouring rain in February, 1976, they were thepioneer of their time to buy this 300 acres of gentle rolling hills, looking like Camelot. Incurable romantics with extraordinary vision, they bought the property in just two weeks.

The estate was named after a railroad stop, which crossed the property in the 1890s. Rodney Strong rediscovered it as a vineyard iron horse 3site in 1970, planting the original 55 acres of Chardonnay and 55 acres of Pinot Noir. 13 miles from the Pacific as the crow flies. There are approximately 160 acres in vine, planted exclusively to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The predominant soil-type is called “Goldridge”, a sandy loam that has excellent drainage and is perfectly balanced, making it the most coveted for growing Pinot Noir. The estate is divided into 39 blocks, farmed individually, harvested separately and then each vinified as a ‘single vineyard’. Each has been planted with site specific root-stock and clone selections. From 2005 to 2012, we replanted 82 acres originally planted in the early 70s, enhancing all our wines.

Iron Horse is renowned for its Sparkling Wines, which have been Sonoma Co June 2015 049served at the White House for five consecutive Presidential Administrations, beginning with the historic Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings ending the Cold War.

Their delicious wines have served many world leaders, presidents, and celebrities around the world. Including the  White House Millennium celebrations, the White House dinner honoring the Pope on his 80th birthday, the 2011 State Dinner honoring the Queen of England at the Ambassador’s Residence, Winfield House, in London, the dinner President Obama hosted for the President of China in Southern California in June 2013 just to name a few.

Sonoma Co June 2015 034The winery produces a limited production, vintage Sparkling, called Ocean Reserve, in partnership with National Geographic. The winery contributes $4 for each bottle sold to establish Marine Protected Areas and reduce over fishing around the globe.

It’s a beautiful place, on the drive in, you will see all these palm trees that have been planted almost 40 years ago. Breathtaking view of the rolling hills of the vineyards, you can see Mount St. Helena in Napa Valley from there, on a clear day. And their tasting room is outdoor, a perfect place to drink sparkling on a warm day in Russian River Valley.

Sonoma Co June 2015 055 We also got to meet the CEO Joy Anne Sterling, she was kind and wonderful to show us around. She is the second generation of Iron Horse Vineyards, lives on the property with her family. They only produce about 12K-15K cases per year. It’s everything to her and her family. We’re truly humbled by the experience and feel so blessed to talk to one of the best people in the wine industry.

“This is my life, my passport to the world. Because of Iron Horse VIneyards, I can talk to anyone, anywhere, and I got to meet some of the amazing people.” CEO Joy Ann Sterling said.

A pioneer in the Green Valley appellation within the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, the Iron Horse family is building a legacy of prestige sparkling wines and estate bottled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Sonoma Co June 2015 038We got to tour the estate and was impressed with the operations. We saw many bottle made just for special occations. One of the bottle that we got to enjoy was the Michel Mina sparkling. I’m a fan of chef Michael Mina, and have dined at dozen of his restaurants, Iron Horse is his choice for sparkling wine on his wine list.

TASTING

Sonoma Co June 2015 048 The Tasting Room is open seven days a week from 10am to 4:30pm. Tastings are $20 for a flight of five wines, refunded with purchase, no charge for wine club members with a choice of three flights.

Tours are by appointment Monday through Friday at 10am. Tours are $25 per person (including tasting), refunded with purchase.

Winemaker David Munksgard offers a truck tour through the vineyards and private tasting on Mondays at 10am. Visiting Iron Horse Estate was a truly memorable experience. Limit four people. $50 per person.

WINES

Sonoma Co June 2015 040Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, price ranges from $27-$85. Sparkling wines, price ranges from $42-$220 (magnum). Their sparkling is as good as it gets. I’m a big fan.

Iron Horse Chardonnay is a signature Green Valley region wine. Pinot Noir is the winery’s rising star. All their wines are estate wines Sonoma Co June 2015 030only. The first winery and vineyards in Russian River Valley and they remain family-owned estate operations. If you ever visit Sonoma County, Iron Horse Vineyards should be the first one on your “must visit” list.

Iron Horse Vineyards
Address: 9786 Ross Station Road
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Tel: (707) 887-1507
Website: www.IronHorseVineyards.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ironhorsevyds
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IronHorseVyds
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ironhorsevineyards

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by Manda Bear 

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Lago Italian Restaurant, Chef Julian Serrano, at The Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

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Lago means ‘lake” in Italian,  is the latest project of Michelin Starred Vegas Uncork'd 2015Chef Julian Serrano, he’s been one of the original celebrity chefs to see the vision of Las Vegas; believe in it enough to move from San Francisco to Las Vegas to open Picasso at Bellagio; nearly 20 years later, just opened up LAGO in April 2015.

In 1998, Serrano brought his memorable Mediterranean-French Vegas Uncork'd 2015 514cooking to Bellagio in Las Vegas as executive chef of Picasso. The Michelin two-star restaurant has been a 14-time recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award from 2002 to 2014 and has received the coveted Grand Award from Wine Spectator magazine for its extensive wine list.

pasta gnnochi crabChef Serrano then turned his unerring eye to the cuisine of his native Spain as executive chef of his eponymous restaurant, Julian Serrano, at ARIA Resort & Casino, which opened in 2009. Featured on the restaurant’s multiple à la carte menus is an ensemble of Serrano’s signature creations including traditional and Lago branzanoinnovative renditions of tapas, paellas, seafood and more. In 2010, Esquire magazine named Julian Serrano one of the Best New Restaurants of the year. The restaurant also received the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator magazine in 2011.

In April 2015, Chef Serrano opened LAGO at Bellagio in 2015. Lago
Vegas Uncork'd 2015 045by Julian Serrano will be the chef’s first Italian restaurant and explored a new take on social dining. The restaurant’s small plate menu will celebrate Chef Serrano’s creativity and signature flavors. Lago serves contemporary, Milan-inspired Italian small plates. I got to try plenty of dishes the last few months here, and all were on point.

Lago boasted spectacular views of the resort’s iconic fountains on the Las Vegas Strip. If you can RSVP an outdoor table in the evening, you would enjoy it tremendously.

Chef Julian SerranoChef Julian Serrano at Vegas Uncork’d talked about Lago: “In Las Vegas, people got many places to go to, lots of choices, Lago is a casual fine dining. It took months for us to open this space (former Circo Restaurant location). I love the open space, the patio, the bar, bright lighting, and design, and I can see the beautiful Bellagio water fountain.”

Chef Serrano visioned Lago to be a place for people sharing small plates, conversations, food and be yourself, having a good time.  Lago has elevated the game in Las Vegas. If the two Michelin Star Picasso was the first five stars restaurant in Las Vegas, Lago is setting a new trend, an evolution for foodie, Las Vegas lover, and tourists alike

Lago OctopusService is excellent here as always. If you don’t have time for dinner, Lago is a perfect spot for cocktails before dinner or show. Sit at the beautiful long bar and the lounge, offer a relaxed atmosphere and ideal place for people-watching.

We enjoy bartenders Emer and Christopher; they are both fantastic. They gear up their cocktails game here. They use the freshest ingredients, hand-crafted,  housemade, and creative.  You should try at least one or two before your dinner or show.

Some of the delicious dishes that we got to try:

– POLPA DI GRANCHIO E FARRO, fresh crabmeat, organic farro grain, confetti

Lago dessert 2– FEGATINI DI POLLO, chicken liver, capers, pepperoncino

– FUSILLIORO, corkscrew pasta: Abruzzo, lamb ragù, spuma di ricotta, love it.

– BRODETTO DI VONGOLE, clams, spicy white wine, love it.

– AGNELLO SCOTTADITO, grilled lamb chops, garlic, rosemary, perfection.

– POLPETTE DI CARNE, tomato braised beef meatballs, so good.

– OSSO BUCO, red wine-braised veal shank, polenta al Formaggio, delicious, super tender.

Vegas Uncork'd 2015 160Chef Serrano told us that his favorite dining table at Lago is sitting at the bar. We couldn’t agree more with him, once you get to visit Lago.

Lago at the Bellagio Hotel
Restaurant Address: 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV
Phone: (866) 259-7111
Website: http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/lago.aspx 
Instagram: @Bellagio
Twitter: @chefjserrano
Facebook: Lago at the Bellagio Hotel

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by Manda Bear 

 

SpoonBar, BravoTV Top Chef Louis Maldonado, Healdsburg, Sonoma County Wine Country


Sonoma Co June 2015 091BravoTV Top Chef Season 11, Chef Louis Maldonado launched his culinary career in San Francisco as co-executive chef at Cortez, where under his direction Cortez was awarded one Michelin star in 2006. Chef Maldonado has worked at top Sonoma Co June 2015 133restaurants including The French Laundry in Napa Valley and Aziza in San Francisco. Now the executive chef of Spoonbar at h2hotel in downtown Healdsburg, where he was able to create a menu of contemporary, clean, and creative yet approachable American fare. The menu was impressive with many options for Sonoma Co June 2015 110-2vegetarian and vegan.

The chicken cracklings, duck liver mousse, celery, elderflower was crispy, tasty and delicious. The lamb loin grilled over charcoal, braised morels, spring onion, charred white bean with Sonoma Co June 2015 125crystallized lettuce was beautifully presented, perfectly cooked, and it just melt in your mouth. The Thai inspired beet boudin wrapped in a crispy pastry, lime, cilantro, coconut, peanuts, shallots, was so much flavor at one bite, amazing. The tuna sashimi,
fermented chili, shiso, serrano chili, and wild onion salsa was delightful.

Sonoma Co June 2015 116However, the roasted zucchini, pickled squash blossoms, beef bouillon, crispy buckwheat noodles was the winner of it all. It was refreshing with unexpected flavor, a perfect dish for a warm evening the wine country.

Sonoma Co June 2015 099It was refreshing with unexpected flavor, a perfect dish for a warm evening in the wine country.

Sit at the big long Acacia Tree communal center table where you can Sonoma Co June 2015 105mingle with others. If you are all “wined out” from the wine tasting all day, Spoonbar is also a perfect place for a crafted cocktail, their menu is so scientifically delicious. And with a critically acclaimed cocktail program led by rising star bar manager Alec Vlastnik, the atmosphere is lively and vibrant. From plate to place, everything about Spoonbar is a rich alchemy of art and craft.

Sonoma Co June 2015 122Spoonbar at h2Hotel
219 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, CA 95448

HOURS: Dinner, Friday – Saturday, 5-9:30 p.m.
Monday – Sunday, 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Sonoma Co June 2015 127

RESERVATIONS: 1.707.433.7222

Website // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook

 

by Manda Bear – Twitter | Instagram

Sonoma Co June 2015 088About the Author
Manda Bear

Manda Bear, a former restaurant owner, has had a strong passion for food and wine from a very young age and has traveled the world dining at over one hundred Michelin Star/James Beard award winning restaurants. Currently with Dep Lifestyle Magazine San Francisco Bay Area, Manda Bear works as publisher and contributor Drink Me Magazine, @DepLifestyleMag@DiningOutVegas. Previously, she was a contributor for Viet Press USA, Studio 14 Magazine, and DiningOut Magazine. Additionally, Manda Bear is a certified level II Sommelier at www.VintageWineMerchants.com on Santana Row in Silicon Valley, a PR/brand ambassador for hospitality, food, and the wine industry, as well as a Social Media consultant for high-tech companies in Silicon Valley. To follow her food and wine adventures, you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

5th ANNUAL LOS ANGELES FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS AUGUST 27-30, 2015

LA Food Wine 2015

Michelin starred honorees, James Beard Award winners, Food & Wine Best New Chefs, and 200 wineries, will once again converge on the City of Angels during the annual epicurean jubilee produced by Coastal Luxury Management.

LA Food Wine Alan FergieThe fifth annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival, presented with founding partners FOOD & WINE and Lexus, is set to feature three nights and four days of unrivalled tastings, dinners, lunches, seminars, book signings, cooking demonstrations, and special events, showcasing the finest in food.

Enjoy 4 days of the decadent in food and wine with an epic epicurean event, Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival. One of the country’s premier destinations, bringing together the world’s most revered culinary talent for 3 nights and LA Food Wine ches4 days of epicurean excellence.  Headquartered in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, with main events directly in front of the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall (with closures along Grand Avenue, between 1st and 3rd street), attendees are invited to explore world-class Beverly Hills, happening West Hollywood, beach town of Santa Monica, and LA Food Wine 6upcoming downtown LA, more than 100 celebrity chefs and 200 wineries come together to showcase a dynamic weekend of exceptional lunches, dinners, cooking demos, chef collaborations, live concerts,  and experience the amazing Grand Tastings, featuring the industry’s leading experts and most coveted restaurants in the world.

In past years, the star-studded LA Food Wine 5 Elliot Graham Fabiolineup has included celebrated chefs such as Daniel Boulud, Curtis Stone, Dominique Crenn, David KinchGiada De Laurentiis, Rick Bayless, Wolfgang Puck, Nancy Silverton, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Thomas Keller, Roy Choi, Michael Chiarello, Michael Voltaggio, Robert Irvine, Guy Fieri, Fabio Viviani, and Graham Elliot, as well as local favorites including Tim Hollingsworth, Michael Cimarusti, Suzanne Goin, Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, Jessica Koslow, Ari Taymor, Ori Menashe, Josef Centeno, Sang Yoon, Ben Ford, and Ray Garcia, to name a few.lexus

Marquee events slated to return include Live on Grand, Asian Night Market, the Power Lunch series, exclusive chef collaboration meals, and live musical performances from award-winning artists.

Lexus Grand Tastings
The Lexus Grand Tasting Tent at Los Angeles Food & Wine is the weekend’s most spectacular opportunity for maximum culinary LA Food Wine 1indulgence. With over 200 wines from top-notch producers from around the world to a “who’s who” list of 30 top celebrity chefs, this is your chance to mingle, mix and sip with the very best in the field. As always, there will be opportunities for book signings and photo moments with many of the weekend’s biggest and brightest names, so buy your tickets early as this extravaganza sells out each year.

no kid hungryThe Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival has supported Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels and other L.A. based charitable endeavors.

LA Food Wine 3Get your tickets here: www.LAFW.com

Save the date: Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30, 2015

To follow Los Angeles Food & Wine events:  www.lafw.com


Facebook
 || Twitter || Instagram || Pinterest  #lafoodwine

Photo credits: Gina Sinotte, Stefanie Parkinson, Tomo, Muscionico, and Jake Ahles

 

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by Manda Bear

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LA Food Wine Chef MorimotoLA Food Wine SPQR

LA Food Wine 2

BITE Silicon Valley Grand Tasting Recap

levisThis inauguration Bite Silicon Valley 2015 wasn’t only for foodies + techies get together, but also for a great cause, supporting two outstanding organizations in the Bay Area.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties (SHFB) is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger in Silicon Valley. And the 49ers Foundation mission is to ‘Keep Kids Safe, on Track and in School.’

The two days Grand Tasting fill with food, wines, cocktails at the state of the art Levi’s Stadium, the home of the 49ers. There was food_bite_silicon_valleymore than 60 chefs, 30 wineries, liquor, beer, sake, and more; all come together to showcase a dynamic weekend of exceptional bites, cooking demos, and chef collaborations. Bite SV featured the industry’s leading technology experts and celebrity chefs such as including José Andrés, Michael Chiarello, Roy Choi, Dominique Crenn, Michael Mina, and Michael Voltaggio. And it’s in the heart of Silicon Valley at the newest and beautiful stadium, the host of Super Bowl 50, and the first professional football stadium to have achieved LEED Gold certification. Levi’s® Stadium is predicted Bite Silicon Valley 2015 052to be the first Californian pro sports venue to achieve net zero energy performance. There’s no place better to host Bite SV than here.

The two days Grand Tasting with over 700 guests for the first year. The two afternoons that you can get up close and personal with celebrity chefs for the first hour or so, it’s best if you get the VIP ticket so that you can attend the wine seminars. You got to meet your favorites, TV celebrities, Master Top Chefs, you name it, they were there to greet and hand you food. There was no line on both days. There were plenty of food and drinks, floating all day, except a few stations the dishes were gone after 2.5 hours. There is no place else can do a grander epicurean event for foodies + tech together like Bite Silicon Valley.

The best part of the Grand Tasting was that no food gone to waste. Bite Silicon Valley 2015 087The excellent company Feeding Forward made sure all food leftover was to deliver to feed the less fortunate. A social venture using technology to connect those with excess food to feed those in need through their mobile app. According to @FeedingForward, by saving just 5% of food from being wasted, we can feed 4 million people. Did you know that 365 million pounds of edible food are thrown away every day? Feed Forward goal is to eradicate hunger & food waste in America. Their platform enables businesses with excess edible food to fed communities in need, instantly. Please join the movement. Follow them @FeedingForward www.FeedingForward.com.

Thank you www.BiteSV.com and Octagon Culinary for an unforgettable weekend.

Some of the high-tech dishes that fans loved:

  1. Chef José Andrés used Clean Cook Stoves solar to make that tasty tacos  @CookStoves. Many attendees were wow by it, only in Silicon Valley.
  2. Revolutionary Plant-Based Dairy @KiteHillCheese, healthy, nutritious, and sustainable. The truffle Dill & Chive cheese and 2-3dcream cheese options make out of almond milk is perfect for lactose intolerance.
  3. 3DS Culinary, 3D Printing candies booth was a popular attraction for techies here.
  4. Cracker bite by @Nomiku was a big heat with a lot of home cooks and chefs.

3-motoA few of our favorite vegetarian dishes:

  1. Chef Richie Farina, Executive chef at Moto Restaurant in Chicago, Top Chef Texas contestant, with his stunningly beautiful edible garden.
  2. 2-beyondmeat-burger100% plant base meat, burger, and taco @BeyondMeat was a popular choice for vegetarian and vegan alike.
  3. Vegetarian bite by chef Charlie Parker at happening spot in Oakland @HavenOakland, Furikake Cracker, Smoke Goat Cheese, Sweet and Sour Eggplant, Mint.

Some of the tastiest dishes of all:

  1. Bite Silicon Valley 2015 055The Glazed Pork Belly bite by Michelin Starred Chef Peter Armellino @PlumedHorse, it was our favorite dish on Day 2 Grand Tasting.
  2. Txampis “Bar Soriano” by Chef Jeffrey Weiss @JeninniKWB Seared Mushroom and garlic, it was our favorite 3-mushroomdish on Day 3 Grand Tasting. It was so good that brought many foodies back to the line for second or third bite at Sunday’s Grand Tasting.
  3. Since Foie Gras is legalized again in California, it was 3-ateliercrennpopular at BITE SV. Foie Gras Mousse bite elegantly displayed on a nice wood log by Michelin Starred Chef Dominique Crenn @AtelierCrenn, it was gone an hour before the Grand Tasting over.
  4. Delicious & the most aromatic Minced Lamb Sandwich dish @DosaSF.
  5. 3-spoonbarSimply Tasty Chilled Carrot Broth, Fermented Curry, Shallot, Peanut Granola, and Basils by Top Chef finalist Louis Maldonado @SpoonBar in downtown Healdsburg.
  1. Fresh oyster prepared by Chef Yu Min Lin’s signature dressing and Chef Dan Huynh of @TheSEAbyASH of Alexander’s Steakhouse Group was a perfect dish for 95-degree hot afternoon.
  1. 3-bourbonsteakpubLocal Salmon Crudo, Pressed Caviar, Yuzu Kosho, Crème Fraiche was the most photogenic dish by chef Chris Curtis @Chefcurtiss of @BourbonSteakPub a @ChefMichaelMina restaurant.
  1. Duck and Crab Fritter bites packed with flavor by Chef Dinari Brown @CenterPlate @LevisStadium
  2. Smoked Sea Scallop with Drop Biscuit, Bacon Aioli and tomato jam by Chef Parke Ulrich @Waterbar
    Bite Silicon Valley 2015 065
  3. Have you ever tried Foie Gras Macaron? Michelin Starred Chef Dmitry Elperin @TheVillagePubCA undoubtedly delivered this savory bite.

For sweet tooth foodies, there’re plenty desserts and pastries:

  1. 3-slanteddoorFor sweet tooth Chef Charles Phan @charlesphansf  @TheSlantedDoor served Vietnamese Coconut Rice Pudding dish. We have seen chef Charles Phan countless time at many food festivals, recently at the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Festival, but he hadn’t prepared any 3-michaelminasfdesserts before. This dessert spoon bite was a real treat.
  2. Perfect chocolate Jasmine, Hibiscus, Strawberry by Chef Matt Siciliano @MattSiciliano of the Michelin Starred @MichaelMinaSF
  3. Delicious chocolate mousse dessert from chef Veronica Aroyo @BourbonSteakPub
  4. 2-iccChocolates and plenty desserts by International Culinary Institute @ICCeduWebsite: BiteSV.com
    Twitter: Twitter.com/bitesv

BITE SILICON VALLEY, DAY 2 & Day 3 with Cooking Demonstrations & Seminars

Bite Silicon Valley, Day 2 & 3, Grand Tasting, Cooking
2-chefjoseandres_kerrydiamondDemonstrations,  Seminars, Plant Based Food, Clean Energy, and Wine Industry, at Levi’s® Stadium.

Bite Silicon Valley Saturday’s Grand Tasting featured the food of celebrity chefs locally and around the country as well as the tasty wins kept on flowing. Guests got to see 3D food printing, which
3-nomikuthis would often be seen at CES in Las Vegas.  Sous vide cooking by Nomiku @Nomiku with Co-Founder/CEO Lisa Fetterman, Solar cooking by chef José Andrés, ThinkFoodGroup, @chefjoseandres.

Moderator Jordan Mackay explained why wine is an agricultural product unlike any other. How can technology improve both viticulture and vinification, particularly in drought years in California?

We got to see Tim Geistlinger, Ph.D. Vice President of R&D; Beyond Meat talked about the 100% plan- based meat, with moderator 2-beyondmeatSantosh Jayaram @SantoJay @Table8. Yellow pea is the protein based for Beyond Meat popular Beast Burger, which served at the grand tasting. @BeyondMeat on plant-based protein & a sustainable diet for the future. Tim Geistlinger also discussed on impacting the World with diet creating the future of protein with @BeyondMeat mission.

Later was chef José Andrés, ThinkFoodGroup, @chefjoseandres talked about believing in the power of food as an agent of change at Bite Silicon Valley. Investing in solution, finding the less fortunate Bite Silicon Valley 2015 043jobs, feed them with food, affordable food for all, and Chef Andrés’s goal is to help people. Before you help others, you have to learn how to help them right! Investing in the people, in your community, making a difference in our community, seems to be the message of chef José Andrés this entire conference.

Bite Silicon Valley 2015 086Chef José Andrés demonstrated with AlSol Solar Cookstove outdoor to serve the crowd the popular tacos. He talked about poverty in the U.S. and around the world, as well as how we can be smarter on spending our money, return on our investment. We need to make sure we do not put people in misery. With technology from Silicon Valley, we can change that. Stop talking about what you do, start doing it, solve the problems with clean energy.

Bite Silicon Valley 2015 051In conclusion, “There’s no easy solution to this problem. But we raise awareness on this issue of clean energy.” Kerry Diamond, Editor in Chief of @YahooFood @kerrydiamond.
Cooking demonstrations with Francisco Migoya, Modernist Cuisine, Top Chef Michael Voltaggio, Ink Restaurant in LA.

Bite Silicon Valley 2015 073Wine Seminar was another popular event, talked about Apps, Snaps, Maps: Technology Takes on the Wine Industry. With San Francisco-based moderator, Alder Yarrow of Vinography.com and Cibo, for a lively investigation of how technology impacts the way we drink, learn, buy and share wine. With guest speaker Kim Beto and others, guests got to drink some delicious wines line up while engaging with speakers

Bite Silicon Valley 2015 069On day 3, Wine growing in an era of Digital & Drought with @mydailywine @ClarkRSmith @jorgrama @Gonzalez_Rave @PinotMaven

@Gonzalez_Rave said to stay honest with her fruit to create the best wine.

“99+% or 25,000 winemakers out there in the U.S. make less than 200 cases of wines, support them, because they don’t have the voice. They don’t’ have the resources to get their wines on the groceries store shelves.” @ClarkRSmith

Chef Michael Voltaggio @MVoltaggio shares his experiences in 13 countries: “Technology connects. Food unites people.” 

3-motoIt was a wrap at Bite Silicon Valley with Food Tech Sous Vide trail blazer Lisa Q. Fetterman from @Nomiku hosted by @kerrydiamond. We got try that tasty cracker at Nomiku station. 

With over 60 chefs, 30 wineries, 20 speakers, and all for a great cause, Bite SV benefits Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & levisSan Mateo Counties and the 49ers Foundation.  Unlike other Food & Wine Festivals in Las Vegas, South Beach or Aspen, where celebrity sightings, fancy dinners, after-parties, and happy hours sponsored by many luxurious high end brands; Bite was a successful food + wine + tech + innovation festival, like no other, where ideas, issues, awareness, and solutions were raised and together we will make this world a better place. We’re so  looking forward to BITE Silicon Valley 2016.

AUTHOR:
To follow her food and wine adventure, you can follow her on:

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Twitter: @1mandabear and @DepLifestyleMag

 

Interview with Master Chef Richard Rosendale

The 8th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine event this month, I got to sit down and interview this Master Chef Richard Rosendale at the pebblebeach-tennisclub2beautiful Pebble Beach Resorts – The Beach and Tennis club, with the breathtaking view of Stillwater Cove in Pebble Beach. Chef Rosendale looks even younger in person, with a bright smile, and warm personality, greeted me nicely at the Dining Room here. Chef Rosendale is a Certified Master Chef, a distinction earned through the American Culinary Federation. The grueling 130 hour cooking exam held at the Culinary Institute of America has a 90% fail rate and only 67 chefs have ever made it through successfully, Chef Rosendale being the youngest to ever pass the exam. The Exam is detailed in the book “Soul of a Chef” walking readers through this culinary marathon that few dare to take. Chef Rosendale is also the most internationally competitive chef with over 55 International cooking competitions under his belt and there will be many more to come. So having to sit down with chef and photograph him at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, I can only say that it’s a privilege for me to be here.

Why did you choose to participate at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine?
What not to love about this wonderful culinary event, with a lot of chef richard rosendale great chefs, somms, industry people, fans, and a great networking event too. Since I was involved with Ment’or and the BOCUSE D’OR, on this year event, I got to cook along with other top chefs at “The Culinary Olympics, The Ment’or dinner” on Friday and Saturday. Each of us got to cook a dish, and this time, I got to cook the main dish, 48 hour short ribs & Steaks were cooked to perfection last night. Plus look at this stunning view and weather around us here at Pebble Beach, I kind of feel guilty to send my wife the picturesque view photo today. 

Tell us about the BOCUSE D’OR experience?
BOCUSE D’OR is the most demanding five-hour cooking competition in the world; I was mentored and trained with top chefs chef richard rosendalefrom round the country, including chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Grant Achatz. I was the USA Champion and earned the right to represent the USA in Lyon, France where we cooked against 22 other countries, finishing in the top third of the field. My experience during this competition was filmed and turned into a documentary called THE CONTENDER that will be released sometime in 2015. I had a lot of fun during my time in Lyon, France and a lot of respects for my mentors and competitors. It’s a great honor to represent my country.

What have you been doing, since you left the Tavern Room Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia?
I’ve started my company at www.RichRosendale.com where I share some of my favorite recipes, offer cooking classes for other chefs as mentor-dinner at Pebble Beachwell as home cooks, and focus of our dinner event planning. I’ve cooked for many high clienteles, celebrities, the Dubai Royal family, foreign dignitaries and supervised meals for U.S. congress and the President of the United States, where I plan the whole dinner as an experience that would be memorable for them.

Beside my business, I’m currently involved with the CBS TV Show “Recipe Rehab” http://cbsdreamteam.com/recipe-rehab/ air on Saturday morning on CBS nationwide – Families submit their favorite high-calorie, family-style recipes, chef Vikki Krinsky and myself face off in a head-to-head competition to give the recipes a low-calorie twist, and the family chooses their new favorite. This recipe makeover challenge helps to transform America’s family favorite dish into a healthier meal, approachable, easy to cook, and nutrition dense. We have aired over 70 shows already and counting. I’m glad to have make a difference with the show, just how I would cook for my family.

 What would you say your style of cooking is?
chef richard rosendale2I was influenced at an early age by my Italian and German grandmothers. However, a lot of my style of cooking is heavily influenced by my world traveling experiences. I enjoy lighter food, but with nice flavor profile, I cook just about everything. I teach BBQ class to sous vide technique, from a light dish to a world class competition dish, I’ve done it all.

Since you have cooked for some for the royal families, celebrities, and politicians, who is your favorite people to cook for?
My favorite people to cook for are for my family, my lovely wife Laura and three kids. Wish they can be here with me right now at Pebble Beach, but maybe next time, when my one year old daughter gets a little older. And I can’t wait to be home to cook for them.

Thank you chef Richard Rosendale for taking your time from the hectic schedule at cooking for the Ment’Or Dinner at Pebble Beach Food & Wine to sit down with us, all the best to you chef, and we’re looking forward to see you on the road again soon.

To follow Chef Richard Rosendale:
https://instagram.com/richrosendale
https://twitter.com/RichRosendale
http://cbsdreamteam.com/recipe-rehab/

by Manda Bear – TwitterInstagram