Chef - travaganza! Pebble Beach rocked!

4 days, 60 chefs, 250 wineries: I left Thursday night for my latest chef quest, the Second Annual Pebble Beach Food and Wine Experience in Monterey, CA. My beloved colleague Elizabeth Bourget from Gourmet to Go Personal Chef Service put me up at her home in Scotts Valley and we were out the door by 6:15 am on Friday to seek out the Inn at Spanish Bay. We missed the entrance and drove over 10 miles of the world's most gorgeous coastline. Wow. The homes, the quality of the light, colors and sounds filled our eyes and ears. But the sights I really wanted were some of the worlds top chefs, so we turned around once we figured out our mistake. We arrived at our location, finding our gracious leader, Helene Crees and the games began.

This 4 day event took place in several locations all over the property and beyond and included private $2000 a person dinners, a Crystal Champagne dinner by Chef Eric Ripert and events ranging from $100 a la carte events to a $12, 400 VIP Package. Me, I worked side by side with my heroes, the best seat in the house!

After delicious coffee and snacks in the swanky volunteer lounge we headed to the Jenn- Air Demonstration tent. The reception area had Illy Cafe Coffee and a beautiful book store and sales area. An automated wine koisk was set up with two huge heated tents back to back with two full demonstration kitchens outfitted by Jenn- Air and Kitchen Aid. Our prep tent was in between and it was there that I met the fun and super cool team of Chef Ted Consoli , Brenn Gambon, Cruz Esparza and Nancy Lauk. I have never met a better team, truly. Every single staff person from PB was excellent. Even the Food and Beverage Manager, Pascal Rifflart , who must have had a ridiculously huge job that weekend was gracious, present and fun. Think of it, this is a four day extravaganza with huge chef dinners, galas, fully booked rooms, chef demonstrations and so on. Huge. He took the team photo of all of us! Quite a wonderful person.

First up was Chef Thomas Keller of the already legendary French Laundry in Yountville, CA. He was the holy grail of the weekend as far as I was concerned. All I hoped was to see him cook and wash even a dish he had dirtied. I got to experience so much more than that!

But first, the dirt, Chef Todd English was a no show! Can you imagine, thousands of dollars of press, PR , printed book size programs, 10 foot tall posters, guests expecting you etc. , etc. NO SHOW! We had to move his guests seats in to Keller's tent. Maybe he heard who he was up against and chickened out. The chefs demos were scheduled back to back, English and Keller at 10am. It was a win for all , who would not want to see Keller? Really, now.

My king arrived in his famous, prepared, calm, cool style. He is tall and so incredibly present. He is considered easily one of the top five chefs in the world, even by the French, and yet he is gentle and fun. He had prepared all of his "Miz"( chef talk for cut and organized food ingredients for cooking) and brought all of his own tools, All Clad cookware by the box full. He had several assistants, my favorite was Mark Bodinet. They helped, but chef took care of his full set up. Such a pro. I had a blast getting him water, towels, chopping parsley for him. I am serious, it was an honor. Chef was more than happy to pose for pictures and he willingly came over, sat down and gently set his hand on my knee in such a kind way. He has that thing that I heard Bill Clinton has where he can look you in the eye and you feel like you are the only person in the world. Wow. Do not get me wrong, I do not covet Laura's man, I truly am enamored by the food, the process, the impact he has made forever on the food industry. But, I do swoon when he is near.
Degrees of separation 3 out if 6, his legendary status was tempered by his decidedly un-snobby demeanor.

Guests swarmed in, late of course, California time. Chef had no where else in the world he had to be. Neither did I , neither did I... And then he began.

Next up, chef Keller's demo and photos, Jacques Pepin, Rick Tramonto and much, much more!