A Press Democrat Blog

Kitchen Talk

Turn up the heat on home cooking

Spring risotto from a master

Tuesday, at 2:26 by

Jody Adams of Rialto restaurant  in Boston packed up her knives a few of weeks ago during Bravo TV’s “Top Chef Masters” contest, but the talented chef has not given up raising money for charity. Adams will cook for a celebrity chef competition hosted by  Napa Valley food company,  Mezzetta, as part of its  annual “Make That Sandwich” Contest kicking off on Memorial Day. (For contest details, go to www.makethatsandwich.com. The contest kicks off May 31 and the grand prize is… Read More »

Tackling tacos on the grill

Thursday, at 8:09 by

While you’re dodging raindrops this weekend, take a minute to dust off your grill and make sure you’ve got plenty of charcoal and/or propane for the outdoor cooking season ahead. Sooner or later, the sun will come out, and you’ll be ready. After watching another round of Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” last night, I’m ready to light up my grill and tackle some tasty tacos. Chef Susan Feniger of Border Grill won both challenges, including the big elimination challenge, where… Read More »

Seasons at the CIA Greystone

Tuesday, at 3:10 by

When the Culinary Institute of America was looking to create a second campus for continuing education back in the 1980s, it scouted out more than 50 locations in the Wine Country of Northern California. The school settled on the historic Greystone edifice, a former Christian Brothers winery in St. Helena, and opened its doors in August of 1995. Since that time, the CIA Greystone campus has served as magnet for food-and-wine aficionados, from local chefs like Michael Chiarello and tourists to… Read More »

Rhubarb cake for Hanna

Friday, at 8:34 by

Hanna Winery & Vineyards, which produces a minerally, food-friendly sauvignon blanc, will  celebrate its 25th anniversary at 4 p.m. Saturday with a  blending competition and winemaker dinner  at the Alexander Valley tasting room. Founded in 1985 by Dr.  Elias Hanna, who purchased 12 acres in the Russian River Valley, the winery has since grown to include 600 acres in the Russian River, Alexander Valley and the Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma. Saturday’s celebration will uncork with  teams of guests trying  to… Read More »

Waxman dish for “Top Chef Masters”

Tuesday, at 2:44 by

Bravo’s  “Top Chefs Masters” Season 2 is heating up, with Jody Adams of Rialto in Boston and Jonathan Waxman of  Barbuto in Manhattan cooking their way to the front burner last week. It’s a rivalry reminiscent of the Red Sox vs. Yankees, but with a bit more levity. Both chefs specialize in regional Italian cuisine. Adams is a classy lady who studied anthropology at  Brown University, then migrated north to Beantown to train at various restaurants before opening Rialto in… Read More »

Fabulous favas at K-J Farm Stand

Monday, at 8:26 by

The tomato plants were flying out the door at Kendall-Jackson Wine Center last Saturday, during the launch of the first ever K-J Farm Stand, a celebration of food and wine that will continue on the First Saturday of the month through October. Lots of local chefs who turned up to purchase some of the pristine produce from the garden included Doug Keane of Cyrus in Healdsburg . Cheesemaker Sheana Davis doled out tastes of her fresh Delice de la Valle… Read More »