Global Village Chef Stage with Standards of Excellence! July 1-5th coming soon...

Once again, the Marin County Fair is breaking new ground with another innovative event. The Fair always manages to create new and wonderful experiences for people of all ages. So, how about a new culinary experience? How would you like to smell and taste incredible, authentic foods such as freshly made Jamaican Jerk sauce, fragrant Indian curry and even Native American cuisine created by some of the area’s most treasured chefs and artisans? This year’s fair theme is Going Global: Connecting Cultures and features a state-of-the art demonstration kitchen, named the Global Kitchen. This kitchen brings world cuisine, shared traditions and top cooking techniques to you in a dynamic, interactive setting!

The day I left my small town in Pennsylvania to live in Stockholm as an exchange student, I began my life long journey of culinary and cultural discovery. I learned that cooking and sharing a meal is the ultimate international language. We learn about individuals, nations, history and ourselves through cooking and eating global cuisine. We know that to seek an authentic understanding of a region, we just need to find the nearest café, restaurant or street food cart where the “locals go”. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, how many words is a shared meal or cooking experience worth? This is why I am always “drawn to the kitchen” where ever I travel.

That is why I am thrilled to host 25 cooking demonstrations in the Exhibit Hall during the Marin County Fair. Each demonstration features a diverse array of local and international talent. Come hear stories of growing up in near and far away lands, learn secrets of top private chefs and get an inside look at the world of the restaurant chef. Experience, smell and taste exotic ingredients blended with the best local, sustainable agriculture.

Highlights include a culinary demonstration for kids and parents by youth mentor Guillermo Mejia of Whole Foods Novato, a chocolate making class featuring sweet and savory dishes by Chef Luis Realpozo from the groundbreaking social entrepreneurial team at Homeward Bound of Marin, the San Francisco Chronicle’s feature writer and cookbook author and “Breakaway Cook” Eric Gower with his “Global Flavor Blasts”, Chef Scott Scheidt from Sabor of Spain presenting irresistible Spanish delicacies, Pastry Chef Catherine Bragg with her amazing gluten-free treats from FlourChylde Bakery, Chef Alolfo Veronese of La Forchetta Catering bringing his Italian heritage to the plate, “The Culinary Cowboy ” Jonh Farais sharing Native American dishes, Chef Seann Pridmore of the Epicurean Group cooking three great South American dishes and Jeff Stoffer, who will share his story of traveling to Thailand for Chez Panisse and give financial wisdom along the way. We even have visits from local street food carts and trucks coming right to the stage!

Sponsors Straus Family Creamery will help supply appetizing tastes of local and international products between the chef events and Standards of Excellence Appliances will supply the top notch appliances for a truly memorable cooking experience that the chefs and the audience will love.

Not a day goes by that I am not amazed by this area and its bounty and diversity. The Bay Area is truly one big “Global Kitchen”. Join me as I am “Drawn to the Kitchen” with these great chefs. Be sure to bring all of your senses, including your sense of wonder and travel around the world with me, one global kitchen and one incredible culture at a time.

http://www.marinfair.org/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171&Itemid=254