So where do you go to hear about all the hottest trends and events in the culinary world?  I know….look no further!  I am dedicating my new blog to bringing you what’s fresh, hot and trendy!  Great new recipes, lifestyle movements and current culinary events are just the beginning. 

     And I don’t want you to hold back either if there is an event, restaurant opening, or trend you would like to hear about. Let me know and I will take you there with Laura’s All Access Pass.  Get ready to go behind the scenes and get access.  Leave a comment at the bottom of our main page to let me know what topics you would like to discuss and events to attend.  

Hello, Mr. Morimoto!

Los Angeles Food & Wine: 

     So did any of you hear about the 2011 Los Angeles Food and wine event…. well check it out!  Filled with celebrities, the event began with a red carpet premiere and included all types of events ranging from a clambake in Santa Monica to a bowling after party.  The event featured at least a hundred celebrity chefs, 300 wines and 70 events.  The tickets actually were hard to come by and now I know why. Why? Because it was a huge food party in the middle of Los Angeles, everybody was there. 

 Cooking it up at the California Clambake!

     They kicked off the event in true Hollywood flare with “The Red Carpet”. Pretty impressive. Champagne at the door, paparazzi everywhere and celebrities that yes, actually eat!  Randy Jackson and Train preformed on the stage in the center of this event and set the ambiance with great music.  During the course of the three day and night event there were big decisions to make…. like which event do I attend and which event do I miss.  One of my greatest fortunes of the night(or maybe biggest mistake?) was to stand by Nancy Silverton’s stations where she was literally pumping out focaccia bread, garlic bread, fresh bread, to die for.  Have you ever tasted Nancy’s bread piping hot from the oven?  Somebody shoot me!!!!  

 

My good friend, Chef Rick Tramonto! 

     The grand tasting event was the culmination of the entire Chef’s together under one “big top” celebrating good food, great wine and innovation. Oh and you know I can’t forget the cheese, my friend Kent Torrey (Carmel Cheese shop, just go it’s amazing) was handing out and teaching all things cheese. Then some of my best buddies Chef John Folse, Chef Rick Tramonto, Chef Mark Ayers, Bill Corbett, Michael Chiarello, some fun new chef’s were all celebrating and teaching and engaging visitors from allover.  There was also a section dedicated just to cookbooks!  Here you could purchase a wide variety of cookbooks and some of the chefs were there to sign it!

     I thought that the event did a really nice job introducing these celebrity chef’s to everyone that attended and they were all having such a great time.   The chefs were engaging and having fun! Speaking of fun, the after party at LUCKY STRIKE, was AMAZING… I would have totally been disappointed to miss that one. On top of all the music, suds and food you could actually bowl…Yup, we all went bowling.  The chefs were having a ball. Between you and I, most chefs should stick to cooking rather than bowling.  It was hilarious to watch!   

     So much more to tell but there always is …the next event like L.A. Food & Wine is the Pebble Beach Food & Wine.  It takes place in Pebble Beach from April 12-15, 2012 and is featuring many of the same great chefs from LA Food & Wine!  Where do you find tickets?  Visit their website here. http://www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com  Don’t worry if you can’t go, we will be giving you all access.

Until next time, keep it fresh!

Laura McIntosh