March 22, 2016 – No one would argue that we don’t live in a very special area here in the Monterey Bay. The ocean, the climate, the relaxed attitude, all of these elements contribute to what makes the place we call home hard to beat. But ask any foodie what makes this place unique and they will immediately talk about our edible bounty and the numerous food and wine events throughout the year.
Chefs are well aware that this is prime ingredient territory. Jason Franey, executive chef at Restaurant 1833, has no hesitation about the virtues of his coastal community. He says, “This place is kind of an untouched gem, especially in Monterey because the ocean is right there. The fishermen come here, then sell up in San Francisco. We get that fish that comes right off the boat here first. And then the valleys, all the vegetables are all from around here, all the things in such a close radius. And the season is longer, which gives us a lot more time to play with all the local ingredients. I don’t want to sound cliche, but it’s true.”
Franey is one of the host chefs for the ninth edition of Pebble Beach Food & Wine, which runs Thursday, March 31st through Sunday, April 3rd and is sure to be bigger and more decadent than ever. With over 50 events, featuring more than 100 chefs and 300 wineries, two extravagant Grand Tastings, a kickoff golf tournament, several small luncheons and dinners, Culinary Olympics, after hours parties, cooking demos and wine seminars, this could be called a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Or in our lucky case, a once-in-a-year opportunity. But still not to be missed!
Many events are sold out or offered only as part of multi-event ticket packages. The three weekend packages are pricey, but hold many perks, and are certainly the best way to get a VIP view inside the bacchanalian splendor of it all. One such event, where a package ticket will gain access, is “The New Napa Experience” dinner on Saturday, featuring Christopher Kostow (Restaurant at Meadowood) and business partner Nathaniel Dorn as they embark on opening a new restaurant in St. Helena. Or the Mozzarella, Meat & More dinner with famed chef Nancy Silverton (Mozza) and Ryan Denicola (chi SPACCA), both coming up from Los Angeles.
In fact, there is quite a crowd of remarkable folks making the trek up the coast from LA. And perhaps the ultimate package opportunity of all is what organizers are calling the “Culinary Heights” deal. Join Walter Manzke (Republique), Neal Fraser (Redbird), Rory Herrmann (Sprout Restaurant Group), Jason Neroni (The Rose), Michael Voltaggio (ink.), and Tim Hollingsworth (Otium, Barrel and Ashes) on a private jet, leaving LAX for a four day food adventure beginning with hor d’oeuvres, champagne and caviar in the sky with these culinary A-listers.
Back on the ground, more locally, there are plenty of food heros representing our region. Chef Franey will be hosting the “Booze and Bites” lunch, partnered with husband and wife team Nicole Krasinski and Stuart Brioza (State Bird Provisions) from San Francisco. This collaboration is nothing new to this trio, as they have worked together before, specifically at the annual 12 Days of Christmas series at Meadowood, where chef Christopher Kostow hosts 11 guest chefs from all over the world.
“We are friends and it’s going to be awesome,” Franey says about this upcoming collaborative lunch. “I really respect what they are doing. They’re kind of the pioneers of that style of dining, comfortable but the technique is there too,” he says. The menu, which the three started planning about a month ago based on what they knew would be in season, will feature a fresh green gazpacho by Franey. “I wanted to do something light and not too filling to showcase Stuart’s dish,” he explains, which will feature tuna, octopus “and abalone, because we’re in Monterey!” Dessert will be by pastry chef Krasinski who is making olive oil ice cream sandwiches.
Our world-class wine community will be featured in the aptly titled “Living Local-The Bounty of Monterey” wine seminar. Chef Paul Corsentino (The Restaurant at Ventana) will be pairing hyper-local and seasonal ingredients with some of our area’s best wines. And in the spirit of March as the International Women’s History Month, consider attending the “Women and the World’s Wine Treasures” seminar on Saturday, in which the festival organizers ask, “Are women intuitively and biologically better tasters of wine? If so, and the scientific consensus is that they are, why are women historically under-represented in the wine industry?” The question will be answered through an extensive “world tour” tasting of various global regions, presented by female sommeliers.
Get tickets while you can at www.pbfw.com
About the author
Amber Turpin is a freelance food and travel writer based in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
