DAY ONE
TASTE3
Today was an amazing day that started off with traveling to Napa early morning to meet up at the Copia Center near Downtown Napa. 
After checking in for Taste3, ran into Garrett and Rachel, two other fellow fellowship recipients. Swapped business cards while waiting for the shuttle bus to take us to the CIA. Upon arrival, we were split into two different groups. We started our Fascination with Fermentation tour at the Center for Taste where Chef Bill Brill discussed and demonstrated dishes that illustrated fermentation at its best. Had kasu marinated sea bass with miso vinigarette and miso marinated broiled saikyo, Indian idlis with coconut chutney, and a Vietnamese spring roll where we made our own dipping sauce, and tasted kimchi. The director of beverage purchasing paired each dish we sampled with a tasty beverage, starting off with chilled sake, to a Moet and sparkling Chardonnay made fizzy with a seltzer maker, and finally a ginger beer/basil/mint sake cocktail.
Afterward, we were taken into the demonstration kitchen on campus where Peter Reinhart, master baker and author of Whole Grain Breads, talked to us about how bread is basically solid beer. He was very enthusiastic! We sampled his delicious whole wheat levain, lox with creme fraiche and caviar on rye toast, buttermilk pancakes and sour cream pancakes. Said his favorite bread is from Acme Bread, talked about Guisto flour, which I learned is widely available in bulk in Berkeley Bowl.
We finished off the afternoon with a delicious meal together with the Sommelier Summit participants. Talked to Rachel about food and community, what she wants to do and what I want to do in social enterprise and food.
Afterward, I went to check into my hotel room at Gaia, the only green LEED certified hotel of its kind. Overheard the words secret police and 16 rooms on the patio. Bush is visiting Napa for a fundraiser, no? Took out my contents of the swag bag and was amazed at the offerings to little old me.
After trying to get a nap in, I went back to Copia where I met a few food scientists for the welcome reception. Had an elderflower POM tea drink and a soda that was created because a lady was pregnant and wanted something to pair with food. Had amazing cheese served. Walked around the garden and went with Laura to Ubuntu, a vegetarian restaurant/yoga studio. She shared that she went back to her hotel to start her blog and share with her friends. We reminisced about grade school, wearing yucky glasses, about what it did to our self-esteem, and talked about family. We ordered lavender sugar Marcona almonds, a nectarine red quinoa salad, strawberry margarita pizza and house water. Deliciouso!! On the menu, they had a lemon verbena cheesecake in a jar I would have loved to try but I am pacing myself here. On the way out, noticed that Lisa Schiffman from Tuttifoodie.com was sitting a table away from us. She really encouraged me to continue with this blog. Came back to hotel and started to reflect, sans secret service and the big black Escalades.
This day further solidifies how I feel about community and food. I am extremely grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to receive this fellowship. People are so open and willing to share knowledge. I want us to engage in each other’s stories!! Anticipating tomorrow and I will drift to sleep a very excited girl!!
(pics coming soon!)
