04 Sep, 2009
Cook & Crush in San Francisco, World Class Vegan in Fort Bragg
Posted by: Beach Reporter In: world
Cook and Crush with the best in California
California is the perfect place to discover new wines and foods. California’s wine country spreads across the state and is the stuff of wine lovers’ dreams. But don’t overlook the cities and towns where opportunities to learn abound.
San Francisco’s Crushpad, where you can learn the wine trade and receive cooking classes from famous chefs, is a state-of-the-art winery where you are the wine maker. You choose your level of involvement and Crushpad does the rest. Crushpad provides grapes from top California and Bordeaux vineyards, top wine makers, and a state-of-the-art winery specializing in small lots. crushpadwine.com
Any winery can teach the science of wine tasting, and winemaker dinners are known for their food and wine pairings. Make your own dinner with Cavallo Point’s hands-on cooking classes. Located in Sausalito / Fort Baker, Cavallo Point is a luxurious, historic hotel on the Marin County side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Restored and more beautiful than ever, the original officers quarters were renovated to create Bayside accommodations, and the newly designed Golden Gate rooms and suites were also added. The guest reception area, restaurant, bar, and meeting facilities are also housed in remarkable landmark buildings.
This unique resort sits on a dramatic oceanfront setting on 45 natural acres in Golden Gate National Park, just minutes from the town of Sausalito. Very residential in feeling, comfortable, and timeless, the setting provides a sense of community, while offering an historic perspective as well as contemporary design. Guests enjoy the relaxed, casual campus-like setting with easy access to the main public areas, dining, and meeting rooms. The rooms are not cheap. But the escape is unique and worth every penny!
In Fort Bragg Living Light Culinary Arts Institute features cooking classes with raw food preparation, vegan cooking and lighter eating options made so tasty, you can really get hooked on eating vegetables. Known internationally as the premier raw organic vegan chef school in the world, a 17-day chef-training program teaches students all aspects of creating raw living foods—from appetizers to desserts, breads to confectioneries. Attendees range from Parisian executive chefs to novices. Working at their own pace under the direction of Cherie and her talented staff, students of every level can expect to increase their culinary competence and to experience a new sense of personal confidence. rawfoodchef.com. Best Western Vista Manor Lodge in Fort Bragg offers some ocean view rooms and some suites with cooking facilities, and best of all, rates are usually under $100 per night.