Central Coast Oyster Festival Features Aphrodisiac Bar Will Be The Place To Be On June 16th !

Temptation abounds with oysters, chocolate, wine, and more

It’s only a few weeks away! With decadent delights such as oysters, chocolate, and wine as its centerpiece, the Central Coast Oyster Festival’s “Aphrodisiac Bar” is the ideal spot for a brush with romance this June 16 at the Morro Bay Golf Course from 12 P.M. to 8 P.M.

From the beginning of recorded time, certain foods have been touted as capable of putting those who consume them “in the mood,” among these are almonds, asparagus, figs, and avocados. Oysters are perhaps the most famous of aphrodisiacs.  In Greek mythology, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was born from the depths of the sea in a giant oyster shell, and Casanova reportedly started his days eating 50 raw oysters for breakfast.

This  first annual Central Coast Oyster Festival will show off  this  theme with  its Aphrodisiac Bar, where world-renowned Morro Bay Oyster Company will  prepare these succulent gifts from the sea in a variety of ways to enhance passion,  and desire.

To complement these tempting delicacies, the Aphrodisiac Bar will offer a host of locally-produced sparkling wines (a classic oyster pairing) and Tap It Brewery will provide a special “oyster brew” concocted just for the Festival. Other beverage sponsors include Fever Tree all natural premium cocktail mixers; Manguin No 1 Absinthe; and EVO Revitalizing Sparkling Water.

Of course, no event like this would be complete without a selection of fine chocolates. The festivals Aphrodisiac Bar will feature decadent chocolates and paired  with lovely  local wines.

The Aphrodisiac Bar is a modern-chic pagoda by famously whimsical The Do LaB out of Los Angeles and furnished by Beach Butlerz will promote a sensory experience unlike any other on the Central Coast.

There will be NO OTHER place to be than in Morro Bay at this very delightful, decadent festival that is sure to inspire all that attend.

Tickets for this Zero Waste festival are just $20 and are available at www.CentralCoastOysterFestival.org. The first annual Central Coast Oyster Festival is sponsored by the Morro Bay Oyster Company, the Morro Bay Golf Course, the City of Morro Bay, Tap It Brewing, Element Solar, The KRUSH Radio, New Times, The Cities of Los Osos/Baywood Park, Cayucos Abalone Farm, and ECO Rotary for a Zero Waste Event.

The first annual Central Coast Oyster Festival is scheduled for June 16 from 12-8 P.M. at the Morro Bay Golf Course. For tickets or more information, please visit w

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Bon Appetit’s Vegas Uncork’d Shines like a Bright Comet up And Down the Las Vegas Strip

The sixth annual Vegas Uncork’d kicked off once again up and down the famed Las Vegas Strip. It began in high style with Wolfgang Puck hosting an intimate lunch with Bon Appétit Editor in Chief, Adam Rapoport at Spago to celebrate its 20^th anniversary. Wolfgang Puck himself served up palate pleasing delights of Austrian White Asparagus Salad, Grilled French Sea Basses Loup De Mer and Strawberries & Cream that put a smile on everyone’s face.

Wolfgang was not done yet as he joined fellow chefs from Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Cosmopolitan and Mandalay Bay at the Caesars Palace fountains to officially mark the beginning of Vegas Uncork’d. The crowds enthusiasm bubbled over when Wolfgang Puck sabered off a bottle of Mionetto Prosecco marking the traditional official start of this culinary weekend full of all-stars.

As the sun began to set , many of the Celebrity Chef  kitchens at Caesars Palace heated up with  several Master Series Dinners where Guy Savoy, Bobby Flay, François Payard, The Pellegrino Family at RAOs  and Michel Richard served up signature dishes to impress the guests.

Chef Guy Savoy

In addition to the mouthwatering Master Series Dinners, Vegas Uncork’d literally took it to the streets when 15 of Las Vegas’ food trucks arrived in formation on Bellagio’s Hidden Drive for their inaugural “Follow That Food Truck “ event. The numerous guests enjoyed delicious treats from their favorite Food Trucks while mingling with world-renowned chefs Julian Serrano, Michael Mina, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Todd English.

The second day of this culinary parade of all stars began with first year participant, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and what a way to start !  A Paella Lunch at Jaleo where Chef José Andrés showed why he is a master in the kitchen  as he schooled the  audience on  how to prepare paella on a wood-fired paella grill which happens to be the only one in the U.S.

Just down the street at the Bellagio, Raj Parr, Mina Group’s Wine Director, Jason Smith, Master Sommelier and Bellagio’s Wine Director, and Carlos Splendorini at My Favorite teamed up to to take their guests on an adventure to be remembered. They started with The Violet Femme, a dish with Encanto Pisco, Crème De Violette, honey and lavender;  Then a tasty Hamachi Crudo, a sake-cured cucumber with sea bream emulsion paired with Yoshinogawa Winter Warrior Junmai Ginjo Sake and then a succulent Liberty Farms Duck with Stewed Rhubarb and Foie Gras Kumquat paired with Au Bon Climat Sanford & Benedic;,  This adventure on a plate  did not end until the guests  were  treated with a  Passion Fruit Panna Cotta with a Coconut-Lime Sorbet paired with Kracher Cuvee Beerenauslese. Vegas Uncork’d was just getting up a full steam and headed into the afternoon.

Mandalay Bay got into the act with  Border Grill’s Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger and Executive Chef Michael Minor putting on a Southwestern show of world class expertise they are known for. Starting with a spicy Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita ,  the chefs launched their cooking demonstration by  serving  a Smoky Bean, Bacon And Avocado Tostada,  Tomatillo Glazed Ribs with Esquite and Churro Tots.

Vegas Uncork’d is not just about world class Chefs and their works of art but also wine as well. David Lynch, Bon Appétit’s wine editor, and Raj Parr, taught a sellout crowd how to pair affordable wines with elevated menus. Five wines ranging from moderately-priced to “break-the-bank” were served during each of the four courses prepared by Chef Michael Mina.

With all of the great events offered at Vegas Uncork’d  , the crown jewel is The Grand Tasting . This year’s Grand Tasting appealed to a sold-out crowd of 2,500 and transformed the Garden of Gods pool into an epicurean paradise of delight. It was a foodie heavenly dream to mingle with Celebrity Chefs like  Gordon Ramsay, Todd English, Francois Payard, Nobu Matsuhisa, David Myers, Bradley Ogden, Charlie Palmer, Rick Moonen, José Andrés and Guy Savoy and Scott Conant .

Chef Saipin Chutima Lotus Of Siam

The party continued on into the early morning hours at The Cosmopolitan with the Celebrity Chef Poker Tournament at The Boulevard Pool that featured sliders from STK, signature cocktails from Mixologist  David Myer’s and tunes by Mia & Caitlin. Guests and chefs including Rick Moonen, Susan Feniger, Jean-George Vongerichten, José Andrés, Bruce Bromberg, Scott Conant and Stephen Hopcraft  showed off  their poker faces at the  lively tables Two Hours later ,  Mario Disi, General Manager of Scarpetta, emerged as the winner and Andrew Knowlton, Bon Appétit’s restaurant and drinks editor, followed as a runner-up. All prize winnings were donated to Communities In Schools, Opportunity Village and Vegas Roots Community Gardens.

After a late night , guests got some sleep and started along  Bon Appetit’s epic culinary road up and down the strip.  Chronicles of A Couple That Cooks Together at Bellagio’s Prime was an excellent choice as guests were treated to a tasty  meal served by renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his wife Marja, host of Kimchi Chronicles on PBS.  They started us off with Herbed Mung Bean Pancakes and continued on with the main course of Kobe Ribeye “Bulgogi” style with Kimchi fried rice and finished with a Passion Fruit Sunflower, complete with crisp meringue and a decadent vanilla pastry cream.

Estiatorio Milos at The Cosmopolitan joined in the culinary parade as guests joined Chef Costas Spiliadis for the At the Fish Market with Costas Spiliadis to share secrets of healthy eating through a Mediterranean diet.

Everyone’s sweet tooth was exquisitely satisfied by the sweet temptations of pastries and desserts at  Payard Patisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace  and  Chef Francois Payard, where he shared his masterful s skills and techniques with his guests .

A great way to celebrate after some great cuisine is with good company and cocktails. The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas  was the place to be as   guests enjoyed an endless flow of high-end cocktails with Bon Appétit Restaurant and Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton, nationally-renowned restaurateur Scott Conant and Cosmopolitan mixologist Mariena Mercer.  One of the highlights was “The Libertine” made with Maker’s Mark 46, rosemary syrup, lemon juice, maple syrup and egg white and the “Verbena” made with Milagro Silver, ginger syrup and Yuzu Sour.

As the busy day turned into evening , guests took part in a champagne toast with Chef Alain Ducasse at THEhotel's miX at Mandalay Bay for The Nature of a Good Party where they enjoyed an  exclusive five-course Taste of  MIX menu with wine pairings

For the beach bums there was a clambake like no other we have see. As waves crashed  on the Mandalay Bay Beach  shore and the stars came out in full glitter , guests were treated to live music and an OPI nail station as they enjoyed world class cocktails  and of course  fresh seafood from Chefs Charlie Palmer, Rick Moonen, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.

Chef Mary Sue Milliken Border Grill

After spending time on the beach it was time to end the day with a view from  the MIX  rooftop lounge at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay for an  After Hours party .  Guest partied the night away s alongside Chefs Rick Moonen, Charlie Palmer, Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger and many others.

Chef Susan Feniger Border Grill

The dance floor was vibrant as guests danced the night away with beats spun by Chef Keller himself  and DJ Freaky le Freak. Cocktails continued to flow alongside a selection of tasty bite-sized desserts such as cotton candy, chocolate lollipops and mini dessert tarts created by Chef Alain Ducasse, Chef Hubert Keller and Mandalay Bay Executive Pastry chef and Master Chocolatier Vincent Pilon.

Chef / DJ Hubert Keller

Vegas Uncork’d  falls over the Mothers Day weekend  and rightfully so , Mothers are held in high regard On Mother’s Day,guests attended a  Sparkling Brunch with Guy Savoy  and were treated to very  exclusive menu by the famed   Michelin-starred restaurant at Caesars Palace. What a better gift for  the Moms in the house as they  were beyond thrilled  to meet a world-renowned chef ,  free flowing champagne and an  unforgettable menu .

Vegas Uncork’d 20120 was  coming to an end , many  guests joined the renowned  Pellegrino family on the patio of Rao’s at Caesars Palace for Rao’s On The Grill. Very Casual attire was the mood for his las event as Frank Pellegrino Jr. , dressed in casual clothes and a baseball cap, grabbled a spatula  and manned the grill serving up Italian dishes at this backyard-style BBQ.  The family also shared a  a preview of Italian dishes from the soon to be released cookbook, Rao’s on the Grill,

Yet another Vegas Uncork’d  is in the history books and this one has been the best thus far. This 4 day celebration features a parade of culinary stars , mixologists and restaurateurs  that would be very hard to match anywhere else in the world  but under the star-studded  neon lights of Las Vegas . Bon Appetit and its Vegas Uncork’d is held each May  and we wait with forks in hand and wine glasses at the ready for May  2013 when Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit will reappear like an annual comet in the sky traveling  up and down the starlit Las Vegas strip .

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Vegas Uncork’d By Bon Appetit's Surfside Beach ClamBake Brings The Beach To The Las Vegas Strip

Mandalay Bay Resort’s Beach was the backdrop for a clambake with celebrity Chefs.  With waves crashing on shore and live classic California beach music on stage, guests could easily forget they were only yards from the famed Las Vegas Strip.

Mouthwatering dishes served personally by celebrity Chefs Charlie Palmer, Rick Moonen,  Mary Sue Milliken , Susan Feniger and Mike Minor showed off   their signature cuisine  under a perfect starlight sky .

Chef Mike Minor

Just like a classic clambake new friends were made at the communal tables as guests dined on culinary masterpieces of these celebrity chefs and sipped on delicious cocktails and wine.

Chef Susan Feniger

Chef Rick Moonen

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit offers guests a wide variety of events and venues where guests can meet their favorite Celebrity Chefs and sample their dishes.  If you have never attended the Vegas Uncork’d  Calmbake in previous years , mark your calendar now for Vegas Uncork’d  2013 and attend this event . You wont be disappointed .

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A Teriyaki Chicken Recipe That Is Easy , Tasty and Sure To Impress Your Summer Backyard Grilling Guests

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

By Cuisineist Test Kitchens 

Make your own homemade Teriyaki Marinade   with  ginger to spice up your summer grilling .  This Teriyaki Chicken Recipe straight from the CUISINEIST test kitchen is an easy, tasty summer entrée.

Ingredients

MARINADE

1/2cup ketchup

1/3 cup hoisin sauce

2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 ½ teaspoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons fresh ginger

2 teaspoons dark sesame oil

TERIYAKI CHICKEN

5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

Sesame seeds, lightly toasted

Cooked rice (your choice of white or brown)

2 Cups of freshly cut Chives

Instructions

Place the chicken thighs in a gallon-size zip-lock bag and add the marinade.  Make sure you press the air out of the bag and seal it. Toss the bag to thoroughly coat the chicken and then place it in a bowl and refrigerate it for at least 4 hours (overnight is better! ) Remove the meat from the refrigerator 20 -30 minutes before grilling.

Prepare your charcoal grille or set a gas grill to medium-high, close the lid, and heat until hot.  (About 10 mins )

Remove the chicken from the bag and discard the marinade. Grill the thighs ( you can brush on the marinade if you choose )  until they are no longer pink inside, about  6  minutes per side if you are using a gas grille

Transfer the thighs to a cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes. Slice each piece at a diagonal. Sprinkle on the toasted sesame seeds. Serve over rice, garnished with the chives. Serves 5 to 6 sit back and enjoy your summer meal ! 

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Taste of the Nation Las Vegas will be held on May 17, 2012!

Join us to help end childhood hunger in America.

 Join us and help  Share Our Strength’s annual Taste of the Nation Las Vegas that  will take place on May 17th, 2012 at the Rain Nightclub in Palm Casino Resort. More than 30 of the city’s finest chefs join us to help end childhood hunger in America. Located on the casino level of Palms Casino Resort, Rain Nightclub provides the perfect location to experience the Las Vegas night life while enjoying tasty treats, live entertainment, and tantalizing live and silent auctions.

Nearly 16 million children face hunger in America. Most families that live below the poverty line in America are working families, yet their regular income is not sufficient to cover the cost of housing, medical care, child care, transportation, clothing and food. Employment is simply not enough to safeguard these families against hunger and poverty.

Help us  ensure that no kid goes hungry and we look forward to seeing you at the Taste of the Nation Las Vegas 2012!

Proceeds locally benefit the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation/UNCE Chefs for Kids ,Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Three Square Food Bank and Project MANA. All organizations are fighting to end childhood hunger in Nevada. For tickets http://ce.strength.org/events/taste-nation-las-vegas

See you there!

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MEGAN ROMANO OPENS CHOCOLATE & SPICE BAKERY IN SUMMERLIN

Acclaimed Pastry Chef Brings Sweet and Savory Offerings to Summerlin

Noted pastry chef and cookbook author Megan Romano will open Chocolate & Spice Bakery on Sahara Avenue in Summerlin this Friday. Romano, a veteran of such venerable restaurants as Aureole, Lespinasse and Charlie Trotter, boasts a strong culinary background that extends far beyond the pastry kitchen.

The concept of Chocolate & Spice began several years ago when Romano began selling her book It’s A Sweet Life and treats such as Chocolate Dipped Candied Oranges online and to several Las Vegas area cafes as she was manning the pastry kitchen at Charlie Palmer’s Aureole. 

 While still at Aureole she was named Best Pastry Chef for 2011 by both Desert Companion and Vegas Seven magazines. Now, she has expanded the business, devoting herself full-time to the venture and new retail space, allowing people to enjoy her creations without heading to the Strip.

“I envision Chocolate and Spice Bakery to be a meeting place: for coffee and a light bite on the way to work, for a simple soup and beverage at lunch, and for a sweet bite any time of day. The interior is comfortable and casual, with space for gatherings and special occasions,” says Romano. “My dream has been to open a bakery and this setting is the culmination of years of experience in developing a refreshing menu of specialty desserts and hand-crafted chocolate and confections, along with light savory items.”

The early morning menu includes coffee and breakfast frittatas, such as the signature roasted vegetable and parmesan frittata and pastries including a caramel sticky brioche bun. Sandwiches and salads including a vine ripe tomato, watermelon and mozzarella salad or toasted garlic broccolini and penne pasta will satisfy at nearly any hour.

Romano’s signature sweets will certainly make Chocolate & Spice a dessert destination. Artisan chocolates, including bon bons, truffles and bark share the stage with ice creams and shakes while tarts, pies and cakes are available for pick up and can be custom ordered to suit any occasion. Highlights include the Romano family recipe banana vanilla bean cream pie, a tequila lime chocolate bar, chocolate chip and tangerine zest cookies, almond rocher with fleur de sel and a dark chocolate truffle cake.

CHOCOLATE & SPICE

7923 W Sahara, Suite 8

Las Vegas, NV 89117

702.527.7772

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 7 am – 7 pm

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Join Us at VEGAS UNCORK’D BY BON APPÉTIT FOR AN EVENING OF SIGNATURE DELIGHTS FROM INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL CULINARY ICONS, MAY 11

More than 50 Award-winning Chefs Come Together To Present A Night of Sumptuous Feasting

Gordon Ramsay Makes His Debut Appearance at Vegas’ Premier Culinary Festival

 

Its only a week away!! More than 50 of Las Vegas’ most celebrated chefs including legendary talents from Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Mandalay Bay, team up for the sixth annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit’s Grand Tasting on Friday, May 11. Held at the Garden of the Gods pool at Caesars Palace, the highly anticipated event highlights a staggering variety of signature dishes from culinary masters such as Bobby Flay, Guy Savoy, José Andrés, Hubert Keller, Nobu Matsuhisa, David Myers, Scott Conant, Michel Richard, Costas Spiliadis, Todd English, Rick Moonen, Charlie Palmer, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. It also marks the first year world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay is participating in the city’s largest and most acclaimed culinary celebration.

“I’m thrilled to reveal this year’s Grand Tasting has more restaurants participating than ever before,” said Adam Rapoport, Bon Appétit Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief. “With Gordon Ramsay joining other top Las Vegas restaurants and their well-loved chefs, this is the one event you can’t miss.”

Adding to the extraordinary line-up of chefs are two new wine and spirits elements, a Bombay Bar and a Mionetto lounge, as well as a Taste of the Forum where six restaurants from The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace including Spago and Sushi Roku showcase their specialties for the first year. Further upping the ante, the Grand Tasting will also features delectable bites from Laurent Tourondel, Andre Rochat, Kerry Simon, Max Brenner, Emeril Lagassi and other notable talents.

Space is limited for this exciting event and tickets are $200 per person. For more information on Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, tickets and full programming details, visit www.VegasUncorked.com. See you there !

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The 5th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine Provides Stars and Elegance To All That Attended

Pebble Beach is one of the diamonds in the world’s luxury lifestyle collection of crown jewels. Names like Spyglass and the Links at Pebble Beach are used congruently with names like Palmer and Nicklaus all legends with an intertwined relationship that will last well past their physical attendance on those noble greens.

This picturesque luxury community located between Monterey and Carmel also includes one of the best hotel spas in the world, The Spa at Pebble Beach and Twelve unforgettable restaurants and lounges that provide unique culinary delights.

Over the last 5 years, Pebble Beach has added one more luxurious event to its repertoire. Pebble Beach Food & Wine.  Founded in 2008 by Co-Founders  Robert Weakley and David Allen Bernahal II with 25 renowned Chefs and 75 word-class wineries has now  grown to over 75 Chefs, 250 wineries and over 50 events located all over  this  historical resort region. If there is only one event each year you should attend, hands down, without a doubt this is where you want to be in early April. Just when you thought it could not possibly get any better, the 5^th Annual Pebble Beach Food Wine 2012 raised the bar even higher than the previous year.

The four day culinary extravaganza actually started off with a founders dinner at a private residence and then a celebrity Chef and Winemaker Golf tournament at the Links at Pebble Beach.  The official opening was the Lexus Opening night reception at the Inn at Spanish Bay.  Many celebrated into the early morning hours but had to keep in mind the extraordinary lineup for the first full day of this 5^th Annual love fest of Food and Wine.

Walking into the Spanish Bay Inn, enjoying a spicy bloody Mary overlooking the magnificent view from their immaculate lobby was the perfect way to start the day.  For foodies  , it was like  a dream come true with many of their favorite Food Network stars like Guy Fieri , Anne Burrel  and Michael Symon all just “hanging  out “ and getting their day started in the lobby . Celebrity Chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Laura Werlin all joined in mingling with the guests. After the early morning interlude it was time to get the first big day started .

Oenophiles could join Pinot Noir renown winemaker Gary Pisoni and friends for a nice selection of wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands or a Master class from Philppe Melka, or even travel to France for a “Lieu-dit” with Domaine de La Vougeraie. For those wanted to stay closer to home, an excellent exploration of Napa’s Cult Cabs would be just the way to start the day.

After a morning like that it was time for lunch and there were a wide variety to choose from. Who could pass up the Luxus Chefs Table Michelin Star lunch with 3 stat Michelin Chefs Daniel Boulud and Chef Christopher Kostow ?  If Asian Fusion was more to your liking Chef Roy Yamaguchi was on hand to “show you the way”.  From a Belgium Beer Luncheon, to a grouping LA All-Star-Chefs and Wine Farm and Sea from nearby Monterey, there was something for every palate.

Chef Michael Chiarello offered a great way to spend the late afternoon with his bold Italian cooking demonstration and Chef Jacques Pepin and daughter Claudine demonstrated the Essential Pepin cooking style and had the audience in stitches with their family humor in the kitchen.

Claudine Pepin , Dana Cowen, Jacques Pepin

The sun was starting to close on the horizon but the afternoon was not quite over.  Mixologist Mariena Mercer from The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas has just the right cocktail to get you in the happy hour mood.

Kent Torrey

Kent Torrey from the renown Carmel Cheese shop partnered up with some rare wines such as Latour and Valandraud & Mondotte  from the 1999 Vintage in large formats  . Now THAT is a VERY happy, hour ! The Icon of Italy, Gaja, is just what anyone could need prior to changing into your very best for dinner with wines direct from the vineyard itself.

Dinner at Pebble Beach Food&Wine is a lifetime experience.  As the stars in the sky came out so did those huge stars in the kitchen.  The iron Chef Dinner transported all of us into “Kicthen Stadium” with culinary masters, Chefs Michael Symon,  Masaharu Morimoto and Geoffery Zakarin for Picassos on the plate and a life time of memories.

Of course the Tribute Dinner for Iconic Chef Thomas Keller brought out a who’s’ who of former Chefs and Sommeliers who have worked under him to pay tribute in Food and Wine to one of America’s best.   Oenophiles  would have enjoyed any of the previous choices but a Legacy Dinner to mark the one year anniversary of Jess Jackson’s  passing with Chefs Michael Chiarello , Richard Reddington , Justin Wangler and Elizabeth Faulkner  all from the region ,  paired his legendary wines with their remarkable dishes was an event  not to be missed.

The first full day was over and there was still a spirited After party to attend for those who were still going after round one of some of the best food and wine in the world. As guests drifted off to sleep in the early morning hours once again, they did not have suger plums dancing in their heads but visions of the great dishes and wines to come the next day as well as the first day of the Lexus Grand Tasting.

Editor-In-Chief Elaine Harris , Pierre Gasenave, Wine Editor Scott Harris

The gentle sounds of waves, seagulls flying overhead and the distant sound of Sea Lions marked the second full day and the biggest day thus far.  There was no better way to get the day off with excitement than with Celebrity Chef Anne Burrel and Cook Like a Rock Star.  She was the perfect way to get the juices flowing and showed how any novice cook  can  Cook Like A Rock Star  at home and impress their family and friends .   For wine lovers, the Sommelier Dream team of Shayn Bjornholm MS , Greg Harrington MS, Andrea Robinson MS  took a room full of  novices and experts through a Blind Tasting of White Wines.

Presently pleased, it was now off to the culinary and wine Mecca of The Lexus Grand Tasting where opulence and indulgence is the key. The best of the best from Wine, Champagne, Food Network Stars and Celebrity Chefs were there to greet the guests a serve up some mouth watering dishes and other libations.

The Lexus Grand tasting was just that, GRAND!  . Feeling fully energized it was time to head for a visits with Mr. Energy of The Food Net Work, Chef Guy Fieri. Spanish Bay Inn was wild with excitement and this high-energy Chef took to the Jen-Air stage for his Cookin’it , Livin’it , Lovin’it demo.  This was yet another one of a kind chance that Pebble Beach Food&Wine offers its guests  to see how it’s done up close and personal with a Food Network Star.

There are so many great events that all one really has to do is throw a dart and no matter where it lands it’s going to be exceptional.  A “bullseye” event had to be Celebrating 30 Years of Extraordinary: 1982 First Growth Bordeaux.  This event was so special we have to name them all as there are so few and so rare. Mouton-Rothchild , Margaux, Lafite, Latour and of course Haut Brion.

There is no other wine event at this year’s Pebble Beach Food &Wine that exemplifies what this event is all about. The 5^th year of this incredible event celebrates 30 years of the finest vintages of the finest wines in the world.  This is one tasting that many never have the opportunity ever indulge in with a lifetime of appreciating wines.

An event like Pebble Beach Food&Wine started with class and ended with sophistication at its best.  This “tete de cuvee” shows off the best of the best in one Grand Finale featuring Dom Perignon Champagne.

Chef Chris Cosentino

All of the stars this weekend had their individual stage to shine. At this event they all came together, the best of the best at the Beach and Tennis Club for a night of stars and bubbles.

Even though the Finale was over with memories of bubbles and stars, One more star showed once again how to shine. Chef Tyler Florence started off Sunday Morning and the last day of the event with an Ultimate Dining Experience to send guests home with fond memories and yet another Food Network Star to shine in their memory.  Champagne is used for hellos and goodbyes all over the world.

The final farewell came with a Hommage a La Grand Dame . A celebration of Veuve Clicquot. This world class Champagne was proper send off and a Bon Voyage until next April  4-7 2013 where many plan to return again to the home of legends , Pebble Beach Food&Wine 2013.

Join Editor-In-Chief Elaine Harris as she takes you inside Pebble Beach Food&Wine

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