First Taste Napa: A Downtown Napa Tasting

2012 Photos

First Taste Napa: A Downtown Napa Tasting

Chefs hard at work at First Taste Napa

Pearl Restaurant

Attendees enjoyed some of Napa Valley's legendary wines

First Taste Napa

Masaharu Morimoto serves up a dish from Morimoto Napa

Food, wine and music!

Sampling a few of the small-plates

Chef Jeffrey Jake preparing Peruvian spiced duck breast with pickled chanterelle mushrooms

Mini Fish Tacos

Smoked salmon treats

Restaurant Cuvée

Oenotri chefs Tyler Rodde and Curtis Di Fede with Morimoto

First Taste Napa

Trying wines from Mason Cellars

Live music at First Taste Napa

Chef Will Wright from Bounty Hunter Wine & Bar Smokin’ BBQ

Another beautiful plating!

Guests enjoyed small-plates from more than a dozen Napa Valley restaurants

The Thomas & Fagiani’s Bar

Corsair - Cabernet Sauvignon

Terroir to Table: Farm, Table & Kitchen Experiences

Tyler Rodde and Curtis DiFede discuss their approach to sourcing the best ingredients

Chef Rodde and Chef DiFede share the history of their Southern Italian restaurant, Oenotri

Getting the lay of the land in the Oenotri kitchen

Participants try their hand in the kitchen

Tyler Rodde demonstrating how to make authentic gnocchi

Chef DiFede sharing a few tips and techniques from the Oenotri kitchen

Chef DiFede demonstrating for the group

Terroir to Table Participants

Participants try their hand in the kitchen

Tasting the final product and enjoying expertly paired Napa Valley wines

Welcome Dinner

The tables are set for Thursday's big event

Welcome Dinner participants

Chorizo Gougeres

Baby Beets & Smoked Salmon

Guests enjoying the festivities

The night started off with wine and hors d’oeurves prepared by Silverado Executive Chef Jeffrey Jake

Live music at the Welcome Dinner

Chefs Charlie Palmer and Dustin Valette

Michael Chiarello prepares Larry's Cedar-Planked Salmon with Egg Sauce

The event honored celebrated chef and culinary innovator, Larry Forgione

Larry was joined by his sons Iron Chef Marc, Bryan, and Sean

The Forgione Family in the kitchen once again!

Sean Forgione plates the cedar-planked salmon

Larry's Cedar-Planked Salmon with Egg Sauce

Duck 'Ballentine' with Pickled Red Curry Squash Gastrique, Fresh Espelette Relish, Micro French Breakfast Radish

Michael Chiarello and Jeffrey Jake plating the first course

Sean Forgione on the stove top

Getting plates ready for the next course

Silverado Chefs Jeffrey Jake, Raymond Jacquez and Pablo Jacinto

The Forgione Brothers

Chefs toast to a successful night

Legends of Napa Valley

The event took place at the beautiful CIA at Greystone campus

Guests prepare to sample some of the greatest wines in the world

The legendary tasting begins

Legends of Napa Valley

Bo Barrett Chateau Montelena

Guests experienced rare, legendary wines from founding wineries and from wineries that led the post Prohibition renaissance

Glassware for the event was provided by Riedel Crystal

Anthony Dias Blue hosted the event

Nicholas Jackson

Wine Tasting with Rajat Parr

Secrets of the Sommeliers

Guests learned the art of blind tasting from some of the best sommeliers

Rajat Parr took attendees through a step-by-step sensory journey through six world-class Napa Valley grape varieties

Wine Tasting with Rajat Parr

Checking the wine's appearance

Evaluating the wine's aroma

Taking a closer look

And finally tasting

Wine enthusiasts gained new perspective on evaluating wines

Wine Tasting with Rajat Parr

Cooking Seasonally with the Forgione Family

Introducing the First Family of American Cuisine

Culinary demonstration with the Forgione Family

Culinary demonstration with the Forgione Family

The Forgione sons, Bryan, Marc and Sean prepare to share their secrets on cooking seasonally

Culinary demonstration with the Forgione Family

Guests learned about the farm to table movement from the inventor himself, Larry Forgione

$Marc Forgione describing the \$

Cooking Seasonally with the Forgione Family

Sean and Marc Forgione

$Larry Forgione, \$

Culinary Demonstration with Johnny Iuzzini

Johnny Iuzzini kicks off the demonstration

Guests learned cutting-edge approaches to vegetable-based desserts

Johnny Iuzzini walks through the process of creating this decadent dessert

Culinary Demonstration with Johnny Iuzzini

Culinary Demonstration with Johnny Iuzzini

Culinary Demonstration with Johnny Iuzzini

Culinary Demonstration with Johnny Iuzzini

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Participants tasting Kerrin Laz's top 10 favorite wines

Kerrin Laz describing Napa Valley wines

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Kerrin Laz describing her favorite wines

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Kerrin Laz detailing the top emerging wines of Napa Valley

Attendees gain first access to the top emerging Napa Valley wines

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Wine Tasting with Kerrin Laz

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Geoffrey Zakarian

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian before the start of the Food Fight

Chef Michael Chiarello vs. Chef Geoffrey Zakarian

Ingredients are revealed

The basket featured locally-sourced ingredients

The chefs take a closer look

A friendly competition begins

Chef Michael Chiarello

Geoffrey Zakarian seasons his dish

All eyes on our two competitors

Chiarello prepares pancetta-wrapped quail, butternut squash and shallots

Zakarian samples his dish

Chiarello chats with the crowd

Zakarian prepared Moroccan duck, grape jus, sake and apple cider vinegar sautéed endives

Chiarello checks his quail

Chef Chiarello focuses on his dish

The crowd looks on with anticipation

Chiarello plates his dish

Zakarian watches on after finishing his plates

The cooking finishes and the judging begins

Chiarello presents his dish

The judges sample each chef's dish

Food Fight judges

Food Fight winner: Geoffrey Zakarian

Top TasterTM Blind Wine Tasting Competition

Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson, hosted the blind tasting competition

Winner received 2 Delta round-trip first/business class tickets AND a Viking 15″ under-counter wine cellar

Top Taster put guests' palates to the test

The mystery wines

The mystery wines

Guests begin tasting

One of our Top Taster competitors

Top Taster panelists

The Appellation Trail: Tasting Napa Valley

The event featured savories and delectables from over two-dozen of Napa Valley’s terrific restaurants

The Appellation Trail

The Appellation Trail

The Appellation Trail

The Appellation Trail

The Appellation Trail

Chef Ken Frank chats with guests

The Appellation Trail

Chef Brian Whitmer from VINeleven

Staglin Family Vineyards

Raymond Vineyards

Long Meadow Ranch

Frank Family Vineyard

Beaulieu Vineyard

Hess Collection

Fontanella Family Winery

Ackerman Family Vineyards

Celani Family Vineyards

Rocca Family Vineyards

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Jon Bonné hosted this wine tasting focused on outstanding Napa Valley Wines from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 List

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

A few of the wines being tasted

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Wine Tasting with Jon Bonné

Culinary Demonstration with Thomas Keller

Thomas Keller discussing the nine course menu at his restaurant, The French Laundry

Thomas Keller describing the perfect glazing technique

Thomas Keller and Devin Knell

Thomas Keller highlighting the guidelines for selecting fresh produce

Thomas Keller and Devin Knell demonstrating blanching techniques

Devin Knell describing his selection process for fresh produce

Culinary Demonstration with Thomas Keller

Culinary Demonstration with Thomas Keller

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Ingredients for a three-course meal

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Chef Morimoto describing the first course

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Chef Morimoto sharing tips for how to successfully roll sushi

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Chef Morimoto demonstrating one of his favorite meals

Chef Morimoto inspecting the filet knife

Fresh ingredients

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Chef Morimoto displaying his ingredients for the attendees

Chef Morimoto creating a three-course meal

Chef Morimoto creating a three-course meal

Chef Morimoto describing the ingredients he hand selects

Chef Morimoto demonstrating his technique

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Interactive Lunch with Masaharu Morimoto

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Cindy prepares a three-course, seasonally inspired menu

Cindy shows guests how to cook several recipes from her latest cookbook, Cindy’s Supper Club: Meals from Around the World to Share with Family and Friends

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Cindy Pawlcyn

Culinary Demonstration with Christopher Kostow

Christopher Kostow demonstrating how to properly pickle and jar vegetables

Christopher Kostow explaining the art of pickling and canning

Culinary Demonstration with Christopher Kostow

Culinary Demonstration with Christopher Kostow

Christopher Kostow discussing how preserving is used in his restaurant

Christopher Kostow

Christopher Kostow

Christopher Kostow prepping the vegetables for pickling

Christopher Kostow prepping the vegetables for pickling

Culinary Demonstration with Christopher Kostow

Christopher Kostow sharing the final stages of the pickling process

Christopher Kostow finishing the canning process

Christopher Kostow making sure everything is just right

Culinary Demonstration with Christopher Kostow

Culinary Demonstration with Christopher Kostow

Wine Tasting with Andrea and John Robinson

Lars, Andrea, John Robinson

Wine Tasting with Andrea and John Robinson

Wine Tasting with Andrea and John Robinson

Wine Tasting with Andrea and John Robinson

Wine Tasting with Andrea and John Robinson

Wine Tasting with Andrea and John Robinson

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Johnny Iuzzini attended the culinary demonstration

Scott Conant preparing the short ribs

Chef Conant showed attendees two ways to prepare short ribs

Chef Conant preparing the braised beef short ribs

Chef Conant making his farro risotto

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Chef Conant describes the ingredients he uses to make short ribs with garlic chips and horseradish

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Chef Conant preparing the shorts ribs with garlic chips and horseradish

Culinary Demonstration with Scott Conant

Chandon Cabernet Sauvignon being poured

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Attendees were given a varied selection of chocolate to taste with complimentary wines

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Attendees were given a varied selection of chocolate to taste with complimentary wines

Karen MacNeil explains what to look for when tasting the wines

Let the tasting begin

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

David Funaro explains how the wine brings out certain flavors in the chocolate

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Karen MacNeil and David Funaro

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

David Funaro shares his favorite selection of chocolates

Karen MacNeil and David Funaro

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Wine Tasting with David Funaro and Karen MacNeil

Wine & Cheese Tasting with Kerrin Laz and Jason Rose

Kerrin Laz and Jason Rose lead a wine and cheese tasting with guests

The tasting featured their favorite pairings of Napa Valley’s most compelling wine offerings and terrific Napa Valley and California cheeses

Dean & Deluca’s new Culinary Director, Jason Rose

Wine Director, Kerrin Laz

Laz and Rose share secrets of pairing wine and cheese

Wine & Cheese Tasting with Kerrin Laz and Jason Rose

Wine & Cheese Tasting with Kerrin Laz and Jason Rose

Wine & Cheese Tasting with Kerrin Laz and Jason Rose

DSC_7299Wine & Cheese Tasting with Kerrin Laz and Jason Rose

Wine & Cheese Tasting with Kerrin Laz and Jason Rose

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer explore the world of pasta and pastry in this culinary demonstration

Pasta and pastry making

Christina Kaelberer

Michael Chiarello kicks things off by creating mouth-watering pasta

Michael Chiarello

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Christina whips up a delectable sweet treat

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Culinary Demonstration with Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Michael Chiarello and Christina Kaelberer - Pasta Demo

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Chef Jake and Christine M

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Dinner with Napa Valley Winemakers

Conservatory Dinner at the Williams Center

Dinner at the Williams Center

At the table at Conservatory Dinner, Williams Center

In the kitchen with Larry Forgione

Conservatory dinner

Forgione Family at the Williams Center

Forgione Family at the Williams Center

Forgione Family at Work

Conservatory Dinner at Williams Center

Conservatory Dinner at Williams Center

The final touch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table®: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table®: A Sustainable Brunch

The menu, orchestrated by Silverado Chef Jeffrey Jake, connected culinary and oenophilic elements in artful – and delicious—ways

The table is set for Flavor! Napa Valley's final event

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

FF_01Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch33

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

This year's brunch celebrated the wines and winemakers that define this true commitment to sustainable abundance: Cakebread Cellars (Julianne Laks), Etude (Jon Priest), Mumm Napa (Tamra Lotz) and Trefethen Family Vineyards (Hailey Trefethen)

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Thanks to the wonderful Silverado Resort and Spa staff!

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

Terroir to Table: A Sustainable Brunch

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