Quote of the Day

You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline - it helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.

-- Frank Zappa

Banksy Strikes New Orleans

This post isn't really related to food; rather, it is an image of graffiti by Banksy in New Orleans. 

See more here

Cheese School of San Francisco

I had the delight and pleasure of accompanying my friend Sheana Davis to the Cheese School of San Francisco on Friday, August 29 to serve her amazing Delice de la Vallee and mingle with fabulous friends from San Francisco. A fantastic and energized crowd of 200 attended the soiree -- from giddy, civilian foodies to professional fromage gurus -- all tucked nicely into the Cheese School of SF's cozy space in North Beach. 

Sheana's Delice de la Vallee was one of 6 cheeses served that evening to a sold-out crowd, and we ran into a few folks who knew Sheana from her classes there. Sheana teaches at Cheese School SF about 4 times a year, and from what I gather has quite the fan base! Our new foodie friend Matt even made it a point to come meet us at Slow Food later in the weekend. We hope to see you next time too!

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend and Slow Food Nation

Or, Two Gals in a Suburu.

I didn't make this post earlier in the week because there was so much commotion about New Orleans. Thankfully, that storm has passed and I can relax again. 

I spent this past extended weekend up in Sonoma County and San Francisco with my good friend and ally Sheana Davis. Sheana is quickly becoming the hottest new cheesemaker on the scene, and signed up for all the glorious foodie madness for the weekend. 

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, a showcase of sorts that celebrates the best the county has to offer, and Slow Food Nation, a conglomeration of slow products from around the country, were scheduled for the same weekend, causing many small producers in Sonoma County to choose between the two. Not so for Sheana Davis and her intrepid sidekick Josie!

We shuttled between Sonoma and San Francisco many times in those 4 days, and what an adventure we had!  I'll give you the quick overview here, because each event deserves an entry of it's own. 

We delivered wine and cheese to the Cheese School of San Francisco for Friday evening's artisanal cheese showcase, we shuttled out to Healdsburg to MacMurray Ranch (a beautiful property owned by Gina Gallo -- wow), served 1000s of portions of Delice de la Vallee at the Sonoma County Showcase, served even more 1000s of portions of Delice de la Vallee at Slow Food Nation in Fort Mason, served a delightful cheese course as the coup-de-gras of the Sonoma County Wine Auction, met new friends, drank fabulous wines, worried over New Orleans and our friends who stayed, and generally had a spectacular time. 

MFK Fisher, at home in Sonoma

The New York Times just published a nice little article on MFK Fisher's final home in Sonoma, and after spending an amazing weekend there, I cannot imagine any other place more fitting. 

Read the article here for a little treat.