Harvest Farm-to-Table: Carmel

Date:  25-26 septembre 2010
Location:  Quail Lodge Golf Club
8205 Valley Greens Drive
Carmel, CA 93923
Tel: +1 831 624 2888

What an amazing event!  Fresh, organic, seasonal food, wine, and music all in one place!  "Harvest:  Farm-to-Table" is a yearly event presented by my friends at Coastal Luxury Management in Carmel, California.  Appropriately named, Harvest takes place just at the end of summer/beginning of fall, when produce is at its best.  Colorful, bright, rich in flavors and textures, summer/fall seasons are a chef's delight.  Over 50 regional celebrity chefs and over 100 wineries gather to showcase their goodies in a series of non-stop food and free flowing wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and also cheese education!  A celebration of local agriculture and viticulture!

The weather was perfectly sunny and warm as we made our way around the entire event at least twice.  We made super repeat visits to the raw oysters and the Pouilly Fuisse!  I loved the mini strawberry muffins with strawberry icing on top.  I had two.  A difficult place to be if you're on a diet.  I really liked the mini salad made with organic seasonal broccoli and cauiliflower, summer greens and arugula, heirloom tomatoe, some feta, and ANCHOVY!  So bright, delicious, fresh, and savory!  Then, I walked right up to any of the wines and asked for a pour to help wash down the food.  Really hard to beat this day!

I made sure to attend the Riedel wine tasting demonstration.  We tasted four different wines in the appropriate stemware.  What a difference the proper wine glass truly makes.  I had no idea that Chardonnay would have such an open bouquet in the right glass.  Thought my bordeaux "one glass for all" was suitable... apparently not. 

Gin Blossoms was also playing live that Sunday.  It was an intimate gathering as we were able to get up close and personal to the lead singer Robin Wilson.  Over ten years later, he is still looking hot and singing smooth!!

Can't wait for Harvest Farm to Table 2011!