SF CHEFS, a week-long celebration of all things food and drink in SF, ushered in it’s second year last week, August 10-15. It was as full, fun and delectable as the first year. From industry seminars like the intriguing Tales from the Still, which kicked off the week, to the Grand Tasting tent in Union Square, there was never a dull moment… nor a hungry one. Food from some our best chefs and drinks from some our best bartenders flowed freely at the Spice Party or Friday’s Hog in the Fog festivities. Here are merely a few photo highlights:
8/12 Spice Party at the Westin
Reza Esmaili’s lovely “Rosebud” aperitif w/ vodka, Hendrick’s gin, Lillet Blanc, Aperol, rosewater, “Russia Rose” dry rose
Organizers and chefs gather for a photo
Hoss Zare’s (of Zare at Fly Trap) lovely, bright Persian Yogurt Soup
DJ in the balconies of gorgeous mezzanine ballroom of the Westin
Mourad Lahlou’s brilliant Egg Charmoula spiced w/ harissa, chili, cumin, caraway, topped with potato foam
David Nepove mixes r1 Spice Party cocktails
Mourad Lahlou (Exec Chef) & (Pastry Chef) from Aziza
8/13 Hog in the Fog in Union Sq.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony w/ chefs in Union Square
Martin Cate shakes up one of the best cocktails of the night: El Piloto (Flor de Cana 12yr rum, Velvet Falernum, Herbsaint, Angostura bitters, lime, grapefruit, cinnamon syrup)
Neyah White pours Yamazaki & Hibiki whisky (tower of ice in the background operates as both bottle perch & ice for drink pours)
Daniel Hyatt of Alembic serves a gorgeous take on a Mint Julep w/ Maker’s Mark and black tea bitters along with mint and sugar
Food highlight of the night: Frances’ Bacon & Peach White Corn Blinis
Chris Cosentino of Incanto celebrated the pig with head cheese accented by pickled mustard seeds
Dominic Venegas (of Smuggler’s Cove & John Walker & Co.) makes lovely Hendrick’s Gin cocktail w/ lemon, lavender & rose hip honey
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Joel Baker (of Bourbon & Branch) creates a lush version of a Julep w/ Makers, Amaro Nonino, Small Hands’ pineapple gum syrup, black pepper essence, mint
Duggan McDonnell (of Cantina, Encanto Pisco) “will work for pisco” (www.sfbg.com/2010/07/ 14/appetite-campo-de-encanto-sf-gets-its-own-pisco)
8/14 Grand Tasting in Union Square
Surprisingly, my top taste of the day was Magnolia Brewery’s simple, utterly delicious Smoked Sea Trout & Kolsch Mustard on a chip – I kept returning for more
The ever gracious Hubert Keller (Fleur de Lys, Burger Bar, Top Chef Masters) serves food
Another delectable: Perbacco’s Iberico ham over silky burrata
Michael Mina serves food with his family
David Nepove (L – USBG) & Robert E. Gonzales (USBG, Tommy’s) mix whiskey sours & whiskey marmalade sours
Tony Abou-Ganim talks about stocking & tending your home bar
1300 on Fillmore Blue Cheese Grits w/ wild mushrooms & tomato marmalade
8/14 Top Chef Happy Hour
At the W Hotel, former Top Chef Contestants compete for best cocktail (L-R: Mattin Noblia, Erik Hopfinger, Laurine Wickett, Ryan Scott, Jennifer Biesty) (photo: Daniel Stumpf)
I judged cocktails w/ Hubert Keller (who also DJed) & Susannah Chen of YumSugar (photo: Daniel Stumpf)
Jen Biesty shakes it up over her Fiji ice creation (photo: Daniel Stumpf)
We voted Jen Biesty’s cocktail tops (great balance of flavors): “The Fiji Facial” – Nob Hill inspired (cucumber juice, Square One cucumber vodka, Cointreau, lime, ginger, organic cane sugar, mint)