The “Best Winery Chefs of Sonoma County”

J Vineyards and Winery Executive Chef Erik Johnson  is amongst the four Sonoma County wineries that are donating their culinary skills and wines to produce the first-ever “Best Winery Chefs of Sonoma County” charity dinner and auction, November 9th at 6:00pm at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club.

The event will raise funds to benefit local and international non-profit projects and to recognize a group of under-appreciated, local chefs. Event chairperson Larry Martin explains that “Winery chefs are some of the hardest working culinary professionals in the industry. They craft an endless array of lunches and dinners for demanding wine professionals, yet their kitchen skills are rarely seen or appreciated by the general public.” 

Each chef will prepare a dish of a four-course sit-down dinner, allowing attendees to experience their food and to meet and mingle with the chefs while they explain their food and wine pairing

J Vineyards and Winery Executive Chef Erik Johnson takes the lead by serving J’s famed sparkling wine with an appetizer of sea scallops.   Ledson Winery’s chef Justin Brukert will offer a pumpkin soup with crème fraîche to match their award winning Sauvignon Blanc.  Arista Winery’s Executive Chef Timothy Kaulfers worked with Healdsburg restaurateur Charlie Palmer on his “Pigs and Pinot” event so he’s offering a locally grown pork dish paired with their acclaimed Pinot Noirs.  And Simi Winery’s Chef Kolin Vazzoler will create a dessert to highlight their limited production late-harvest wine. *

All four chefs will be on hand to talk about their dishes and the wine pairing and the evening will begin with a wine reception and end with a wine and travel auction.

The event is collaboration effort between Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary Club and the four wineries, with the wineries directing a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the non-profit of their choice. “J” has already chosen Canine Companions as their recipient.

Tickets for the four course dinner and auction are $160 per person, and are available at www.bestwinerychefs.com . Questions should be directed to the event chair, Larry Martin at larry@foodandwinetrails.com or by calling 707 526-2922 during work hours.

Two local hotels are supporting the event by discounting their rooms Saturday night or for the weekend. The Vintners Inn is offering their rooms for $200 a night, and at the Courtyard Marriott in Railroad Square is offering rooms for $149 a night. Booking information can be found on the event website at http://www.bestwinerychefs.com/

*menu is based on seasonable availability and can change.

http://www.jwine.com/Events/The-Best-Winery-Chefs-of-Sonoma-County