Spring Fling Farm, Food and Wine Adventure

May 2-4, 2014

 

One of the joys of being a chef in California is the incredible produce available throughout the year. But my inspiration comes alive in the spring with a feast of the senses. The first crops of specialty produce are coming to market, trees are moving from fragrant blossoms to setting fruit, and one of my favorite spring destinations is the Central Coast where we have planned our first weekend culinary tour of the year.

 

I invite you to get away from the city, leave work and chores behind, and find a bit of your own inspiration. The drive alone is worth the trip and you can read more about it below. Add in some great cooking, behind the scenes tours and tastings, and the fabulous Cambria Pines Lodge as your home base for two delicious, days.

Join me, Chef Debbi and my Debettes

as we explore sensory delights amidst the Central Coast

 

Be a spring early bird and book now and pay in full by

April 1 for only $650 double occupancy. Price peeps up to $675 on April 2.

 

Quick, Make Your Reservation!

Tour Payments

Full Payment $675.00 USDDeposit $350.00 USDFinal Payment $325.00 USDPaid in full by April 1, 2014 $650.00 USDDiscount Early Final Payment $300.00 USD

Friday Events

May 2

 

Afternoon arrival and check in at Cambria Pines Lodge, all cozy fireplace rooms

Self Guided Tour of Cambria’s fabulous Farmers Market

 Cooking Class Meet and Greet Party

 

Saturday Events

May 3

 Meet in the Cambria Pines Lodge lobby after breakfast and travel to Paso Robles with The Wine Wrangler

 Central Coast Lavender Farm Tour, Discussion and Tasting

 Rangeland Ranch Winery Tour and Tasting

 Vineyard Lunch Prepared by Chef Debbi and the Debettes

 Pasolivo Olive Oil Tasting

 Various Winery Stops as time allows 

Return to Cambria approximately 4 p.m. for a personal afternoon and evening

 

Sunday Events

May 4

Check out and meet in the Cambria Pines Lodge lobby after breakfast at 10

 for a caravan to Paso Robles Farmland

 Tour Biodynamic Farm, Windrose Farm with Bill and Barbara Spencer

(always something exciting happening here!)

 Farm Luncheon

 

This Central Coast culinary tour was requested by several past attendees so register now to reserve your space and take advantage of the discount pricing.

 

Questions – let me know. Hope you’ll celebrate spring with us.

[email protected]

562-243-3926

 

 

 

 

 Tues., March 4th 6:30

Join us March 4th for a look at how to improve your knife skills. Don’t know the difference between chopping and slicing? What  is a chiffonade, a julienne and a dice? Don’t worry you can learn all these and how to properly use, store and use a knife safely. Learn how to cut vegetables, onions, shallots and how to cut up a chicken.

Appetizers will be served

Chef Debbi will prepare a hearty chicken and vegetable soup with the ingredients.

Reservations being taken now.

 

 

(Photo: Danny Johnston, AP)

From Bruce Horowitz, USA Today

 

Under pressure from consumers and activist groups, General Mills says it will stop using genetically modified ingredients to make its original Cheerios cereal.

While the oats used to make Cheerios have never contained any genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the company did make changes to its sourcing — and now, for example, only uses non-GMO pure cane sugar instead of beet sugar, says spokesman Mike Siemienas.

The change was made “many weeks” ago, says Siemienas, who declined to be more specific on the timing. “We do value our Cheerios fans and we do listen to their thoughts and suggestions,” he says, in an e-mail.

Some consumers have health and environmental concerns over the use of GMOs, though there is little scientific proof that products made with GMOs are less safe. The move is being hailed by anti-GMO activist groups as a major victory. It comes at a time activists have been increasingly pressuring American food makers to remove GMOs from all foods — or, at the very least, label all foods that do contain GMOs.

Last year, Whole Foods became the first national grocery chain to require all of its suppliers to label all products that contain GMOs by 2018. In the past year, Chipotle announced plans to phase out GMOs and Kashi is also is taking action to phase out GMOs.

But General Mills has no plans to phase out GMOs from its other cereals in the U.S, even though most Cheerios varieties sold in Europe are made without GMOs. “For our other (non-organic) cereals, the widespread use of GM seed in crops such as corn, soy, or beet sugar would make reliably moving to non-GM ingredients difficult, if not impossible,” says the company, in a statement.

Even then, the latest action by Cheerios maker General Mills could nudge other big food makers to follow.

“This is a big deal,” says Todd Larsen, corporate responsibility director at Green America, a green economy activist group. “Cheerios is an iconic brand and one of the leading breakfast cereals in the U.S.” What’s more, he adds, “We don’t know of any other example of such a major brand of packaged food, eaten by so many Americans, going from being GMO to non-GMO. ”

One year ago, the group used social media efforts to rally consumers to pressure General Mills to make Cheerios without GMOs. Cheerios was picked, in part, because it’s one of the first foods given to many toddlers.

As for the taste of Cheerios, well, that won’t change, says Siemienas. “Cheerios remains the same great-tasting, wholesomely good cereal that’s been a family favorite for years.”

My Botanical Story

 

Deb’s Kitchen Botanicals are created by warm sun, fertile soil, and fresh water combined with a generous appreciation for the healing and health power found in nature.

Feed your skin inside and out – naturally 

 

 

My search for a healthy skin care alternative began in 2010, when my sensitive skin could no longer tolerate commercial creams and lotions. Maybe it was the petroleum products, perhaps the alcohol, something in the fragrance or dyes, I couldn’t say. But I knew I needed something to protect and heal my skin from all my time spent outside digging in the dirt or inside frequently washing my hands and cooking utensils. My livelihood, let alone my personal comfort, rested on finding a product that I felt good about putting on my skin and my skin felt good about  – period.

The first product I really needed was a burn balm. I’m a chef, and no matter how careful I am in the kitchen, I can’t avoid the occasional hot pot.

 

Cyber Mon (through Wed!) Deals

Pricing Good Through Wed. Dec 4   

FREE SHIPPING INCLUDED!

For hundreds of years, people across the globe have made their own health treatments. Through experimentation we have unlocked the power of botanicals.  This is kitchen science. I began experimenting with ingredients known for healing skin such as African shea butter, aloe vera, and calendula oil. However, as a chef, I understand that even simple ingredients need a bit of enhancement. Think of berries with just a bit of sugar to heighten sweetness or a pinch of salt on a garden tomato. The right combination of ingredients, even for a lotion, can be transformative. And personally, I like lotions with particular textures and soothing fragrances.

I began researching ingredients often just wandering through my garden seeking out fragrances that I liked and testing herbs with known therapeutic properties.

The process was slow, much in the same way it is when I develop recipes. But when it’s good, it’s really good. I shared the first batches with family and friends and I quickly knew from the calls and request for refills that my ideas about quality ingredients held true for everything in my life. Deb’s Kitchen Botanicals was born.

I believe strongly in the earth-health connection. What goes into the soil eventually ends up in our bodies. That’s why I practice sustainable gardening, cook with organic and local ingredients, and use natural cleaners. It followed that the care I was taking in how I was feeding my insides should also go into the ingredients I was using on my skin.

Deb’s Kitchen Botanicals are made with organic and natural ingredients that are both preservative and chemical free.