A soft sunset, a twinkling lit table and people passionate about food and where it comes from in abundance — these were the makings of Dinner on the Farm, a seasonally hosted event for The Center for Land-Based Learning. From teaching students where their food comes from (this in itself is no small deal) to helping train farmers to be farmers (new-generation farmers) this is a invaluable resource to the community. This nonprofit benefits the land and the people who till the soil, and when all the day’s work is done, they sat down and broke bread with their supporters. The drive out to Winters in Yolo County is always a departing from the norm, taking in the country in, in all its glory.

So after going to so many events for so many years, its hard to be surprised and feel overwhelmed anymore, to feel you'll see anything new and exciting to the scenes - this most recent A Day In the Country was just that...wow factor all over! This last Sunday the Sacramento Foodie elite were all in attendence for a great cause. From the beautiful day, the ride out to Park Winters (even getting lost once again couldn't deter from the excitement), the beautiful focal point of the old white Victorian mansion in the middle of the estate grounds, and the beautiful foods as far as the eye could see! As with any event showcasing the growers all the Sacramento celebrity chefs show up - these gro

Nationally acclaimed chef Mai Pham expanded her Southeast Asian food emprie in Sacramento with the opening of her newest restaurant, Star Ginger Asian Grill & Noodle Bar, on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, and ever since I heard about it I wanted to see what it was all about. From her incredible food and cocktails that I've had at her landmark restaurant, and then the local and affordable convenience of her addition on Howe (Lemongrass Noodle Bar), I was hooked. This is exactly the kind of food that is approachable for novice foodies to the Asian dining scene, and Pham gives a wonderful introduction to what those flavors have to offer! Blending the bold simplicity of Asian street food with th

This Saturday, March 5th was Davis Farmers Market's 20th annual Pig Day, celebrating pigs, food and local agriculture, in Davis. As this was my first pig day I hardly knew what to expect, but pig, pig paraphernalia, and pulled pork sandwiches. At Pig Day one finds baby pigs, people in pig costumes, farm animals from California Education Through Animals, and pig crafts for kids. There was a petting zoo of piglets and craft booths where children can make pig tails, pig noses as well as piggie masks; booths were sponsored by the Davis Parent Nursery School, Davis Community Church Nursery School and UC Davis Rotaract Club. Pony Ranch Parties provided the pony rides. For the 20th annual Pig

The streets flooded with winemakers, vintners, grape-growers, agricultural manufacturers and wine industry icons as over 12,200 people gathered for the Unified Wine & Grapegrowers Symposium Jan. 25 through 27. This annual event, always held at Sacramento's convention center had it all from tractors to tasting rooms. Sponsored by California Association of Wine Grape Growers this industry event, which is open to the public provides significant industry insight on what's currently happening in the wine industry. From industry insights to new packaging techniques, it was a fount of information on who the wine market will be aiming at, where wine-drinking trends are going and what kinds o

"You've tried Ryan Seng's Drinks, right? I mean, YOU of all people have tasted the things he's doing down at Grange, right?" These are the sentiments that were repeated to me continuously as I got into this cocktail series. Seng hosts a bar that is not only fun to drink at, but creates a cocktail tasting experience as well. From working at New York establishments that are now showcased at the New York Times to the corporate world of bartending and waiting tables, Seng has quite a storied past working his way up the ranks. However, it was his new family that brought this Midwesterner to California, and that's when the cocktailing really began. From working with Patrick Mulvaney to Kurt Spa

When I first met the person next in line for my installment on this bartender series I immediately loved the image he projected, old-school "shady lady-style" bartender, and when I commented on his choices he said he didn't think anything of it, it's just how he does it. Mark Neuhauser has worked all over Sacramento establishments for the last 10+ years and come from a diverse background of corporate entities to boutique shops, but never has he gotten a chance to embrace the "drink" like he has now at Red Lotus. From working with Mixology giants like Erick Castro and Jayson Wilde, to helping create the beer program from the ground up at Red Lotus the talent and creativity are endless. "O

So behind all the razzle dazzle of the spirits culture here in Sacramento there is a strong hand that keeps it all going, keeps the new ideas flowing and is known as "The Godfather" of mixology in Sacramento. As the fourth installment of my series comes around this holiday season, it's Joe Anthony Savala from Zócalo that I'm talking to. Bringing Latin spirits to a town that only knew Jose Cuervo before has bridged new horizons for the tequila and mezcal world. Agave nectar is now a common additive instead of simple syrup, and it was visionaries like Savala who brought it here about five years ago, giving us access to tequila most of the world will never see outside Mexico. Widely acclaim

When the owners of Shady Lady Saloon decided Sacramento needed in on the newest bar craze, Prohibition-era drinks with people who are passionate about their craft, they lit up the Sacramento nightlife in a way that was just whispering through before. An artisan like Matt Nurge, an incumbent craftsmen at Shady Lady Saloon, makes the third bartender showcased in my All-Star Bartender series. The first time I met Nurge he was loaded down with drink orders and making it look like a snap. I don't like to burden bartenders with making labor-intensive drinks when they’re "in the weeds," but we waited a couple of minutes, and he was excited about the idea of making something new, not tired o

Fifteen semi-trailers for sound stage, all bedecked in red and white, brought Radio City Music Hall's Rockettes to Sacramento. Wedensday, the Rockettes went out to dance in Sacramento for Christmas on a national 35-city tour. Right as the red curtains went up, the crowd started buzzing, and they were off, first the legs, then the whole row of dancers came out to give the crowd what it was waiting for. With a cheesy Santa cheering up the crowd and the dancers dressed as reindeer in glowing antlers, the show began. The sound stage and setup were two of the most spectacular parts about the show, from LED projection screens giving a history of the Rockettes and their time with Radio City Mu

Ever wonder who's peer-recognized as the best bartender in Sacramento? Who makes the cocktails that scintillate the palate, dazzle the mind and always keep you guessing? Go no farther than 19th Street: we have a local treasure right here. For the second installment on the All-Star Bartender Series, I'm speaking of Chris Tucker. Tucker has been a Northern California local for much of his life, and after working in San Francisco for a period of time, and learning a great deal about his craft, he decided there was something special in Sacramento worth coming back for. So upon returning, Tucker has been working with L Wine Lounge and moonlighting at Shady Lady Saloon ever since. More than a

What's your favorite place to go get a drink? How do you like your cocktails made? When you order, are you really specific? There is a ridiculous amount of culinary talent in Sacramento, and it doesn't stop on the kitchen line. It makes its way to the speedrack and is being showcased all over downtown. In the next couple of weeks I want to give all those great drinksmiths their due, and highlight them in a series I’ve called: All-Star Bartenders in Sacramento. Check out the talent –you might be surprised the treasures that are right around the corner from you. The first in the series is a bartender that has a special place in my heart. He's a solid bartender who cares about his custome

Saturday’s AgNewMedia Conference at the University of California, Davis, taught farmers the importance of social media and how to use it to further their goals. The conference was a product of academics like Anne King, Patricia Bailey, and Melissa Jordan along with a non-stop team realizing there was a disconnect in communication in the agricultural industry. Social Media Revolution - You Tube Video As a well versed social media maven, and a 3rd generation citrus farmer, I believe there's a separation I'm finding with farmers abilities to communicate what their seeing to their consumers, they have so much information but not the tools to deliver it. This conference began bridging the ga

There was a buzz in the other room, and a wafting smell of shellfish and rice. It was the third annual paella cook-off at Berryessa Gap Winery, and it was was already under way. The beautiful drive on a late Saturday afternoon was the perfect setting to a great evening. Once inside we were warmly greeted at the door and led into the huge storage cellar where the festivities were already under way. From a sangria competition to tapas served all over, the party was off to a great start. My favorite, though not the winner of the Sangria competition, was a wonderful jalapeno and savory spiced-styled one nicknamed "man-gria," as it was so robust in flavor. The competition was exciting as it

It's always interesting to see people's reactions to their coveted restaurants, and there are few things I speak to others about lately (politics aside) that get such strong and adverse reactions. One example is Sacramento's newest bistro, The Press, in the Panhandle on 19th Street and Capitol Avenue. On two occasions I had a chance to go and patronize this restaurant, and I can see why the reactions are so varied – the experience is far from consistent. Here's an account of my two experiences, and you be the judge on which was closer to your take. First Experience: I walked in at 4 p.m. during the Second Saturday Art Walk, and it was still early enough that there was no one in the

"It’s about a wood-burning oven, which will make so much more than pizzas," claimed Mary Kimball, executive director of the Center for Land-Based Learning at Sunday's inaugural Dinner on the Farm. The Center for Land-Based Learning aims to inspire and motivate people of all ages, especially youth, to promote a healthy interplay between agriculture, nature, and society through their actions and as leaders in their communities. They do this through engaging elementary- and high-school children about agriculture and cooking in a farm setting. When invited to this dinner, I originally thought I was looking at another form of urban agriculture project, but this seems to be going far beyond

What is one to expect when going to a place called a gastropub? Typically, a gastropub concentrates on quality food while still providing a pub-like atmosphere, but critics say it takes away from the traditional pub feel. This is a larger concept to brand your restaurant with, and when John Gurnee came to town, that's what he was looking to create. A recent post by Girls on the Grid depicting how wonderful the Kupros Bistro is created a far different image in my mind than what I experienced. I sat down at the bar with my food friends, including an experienced fromager, drinkers and a sous chef at one of the Sacramento area’s leading restaurants. We found a quiet neighborhood bar wi

From the beautiful day to the scrumptious food, this was an event not to be missed. It was new to me, and I was introduced to it by local wine personality/super salesmen Clint Crow from Berryessa Gap. "You just Have to check this out," he said. And after going and finding out not only the talent involved, but the cause they support, it makes me want to tell all foodies, sustainability kids and farmers alike. Yolo Land Trust has a long history of helping landowners preserve the landscape. The local networks of farmland, rangeland, stream corridors, wetlands and oak woodlands weave together to drive the economy, support wildlife and help make Yolo County a wonderful place to live and work

Good Eats has finally opened, and after a whole lotta hoopla I was raring to get over there and try what had caused so much excitement for over two years in developments. Good Eats is attempting to be a coffee shop, prepared foods outlet, and restaurant dining experience. A lot to take on right? That's what I thought too. “Our Good Eats Kitchen is going to be a celebration of good food,” stated Michael Ashker, co-founder and CEO of Good Eats. About two years ago when the location for Good Eats was up in the air, they were looking at the Corti Brothers spot on Folsom Bvld. This was met with public outcry, and a debate over whether the right to keep a Sacramento institution should be overt