2014 Foodie Moments Around Monterey Bay

I ran into this guy at the Monterey Peninsula  College Farmers Market on Friday Am last Spring (2014) and he had this Porcini from Pebble Beach which looks great but I am told could be filled with  worms???  Last year we had a fair mushroom season on the Monterey Peninsula but 2015 will be epic I'm told and so far I've seen some awesome mushrooms both on my hiking trails in Pebble and PG and in Big Sur Forests.  My word of caution, please do not eat mushrooms you pick unless you have someone 100% verify that they are edible.  

Forge in the Forest small bites at the Carmel By the Glass event in September.   This annual event benefits the Carmel Mission and is sponsored by local wineries and restaurants who host strolling guests at downtown Devendorf Park.  Just a note for the history books;  Jack Galante's (of Galante Wines) grandfather was the Devendorf of Carmel that this park is named in his honor.  He and his partner formed the Carmel Development Company to sell seaside lots to the professors and academics from Stanford University and SF socialites.  Seems like that he was somewhat successful as Carmel can boast both thinkers, drinkers and social types alike.  

The master chef of La Balena in Carmel showed off his rustic bruschetta on wooden planks to the crowd's pleasure at Carmel by the Glass.

I picked 70 pounds of Serendipity Tomatoes out on Carmel Valley Road in August 2014 and made fresh bruschetta and, tomato sauce for the winter months ahead.  We  had fresh tomatoe mozzarella basil salads every week for the whole month of August into September this year due to our seasonally warm summer with endless days of 80 and 90 degree temperatures.  Not a normal summer along the California Coast of Monterey but we'll take it.

The last sit down dinner at the Independent Marketplace hosted by Happy Girl Kitchens, Fresh Catch and Serendipity Farms providing their amazing tomatoes.

Heart shaped beets and hummus appetizers were provided by Rancho Cielo youth kitchen staff who served and were greatly appreciated with praise and applause at the end of this communal meal of supporters for the Independent Marketplace.

La Balena's bruschettas on plank at the Carmel By the Glass.  

Photographer Patrice Ward appreciates a good meatball when he smells it at Carmel by the Glass.

Flashback 2014 Big Sur Food and Wine Festival - November 8th, 2014

King of festivities and fun, Mr. Toby Rowland and his seemingly effortless hosting of the day.

The king of Red Wine, Mr. Pisoni in the flesh and always a smile that kills you with joy and intoxication of his passion for wine and food.    

My favorite wine experience with Tercero Wines and Larry Schaffler and his home-made breads and Artisan Rhone Wine and Red Wines.  What great flavors of both he shared with us that day.  Thanks Larry, you are a wine maker from the heart.

Alvarado Street Brewery served up their small bites of duck ham and micrograms in a pomegranite vinaigrette

Shrock Dairy with their 3rd generation of cheese and fine milk producers located on their hill above the 101 in Salinas Valley, CA   You can tell they use happy cows ... they really have something to smile about.  

The Solano's of Haute Enchilada in Moss Landing and their amazing dish of plantains with a mole sauce & creme and pumpkin seeds roasted sprinkled on top.  This was my favorite of the day of small tastings that took place in the magnificent redwood forest of Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park (under a tent) and with a small and more intimate selection of fine wines, foods and foodies of course.  Thanks to Toby Rowland who is always the ultimate host of the event.

Shades of Big Sur Food and Wine with this past year's (2014)  favorite moments of chefs, foods, wines and celebrations of all things edible.  This great four day event has occurred in Big Sur for the past six years with a wide variety of locations from Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park "The Big Sur Lodge" to "Ventana" and "Post Ranch" for the main tastings and a fine selection of restaurants for the specialty dinners and afternoon festivities;  Big Sur Lodge, Big Sur Bakery, Ventana, Redwood Grill, Big Sur Roadhouse, Sierra Mar and Pacific's Edge, to name a few.   I must say, I miss the wine walk at Post Ranch no longer offered and would love to do a hiking with stemware one year if I could get to the website before it sells out, but I can dream of another year in the Redwoods with the smell of porcini roasting on the grill, the smell of a crisp white wine and laughter and smiles echoing down the Sur.  Good memories, good food, good wine and a great event for a great purpose and community.