Lexus Culinary Classic at Cavallo Point, Sausalito

by  on  in On the Town

My first experience at the 5th annual 2019 Lexus Culinary Classic  at gorgeous Cavallo Point Lodge And Spa was a special weekend, April 26-28, with the dinner at George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch being the highlight in a weekend full of national guest chefs, winemakers, cycling and racecar figures, wine blending.

Highlights in photos — and stay tuned for info on next year’s Culinary Classic.

The last day’s tasting with live music, gorgeous views, Lexus cars to test drive and an array of national chefs and local winemakers to taste inside
An unforgettable dinner viewing George Lucas’ gorgeous art collection and savoring live jazz over dessert post-dinner at Skywalker Ranch (we were only allowed to take photos outside)
Night one kicked off with this “East ‘Meats’ West” dinner inside Cavallo’s chapel
Just one of the courses at the “East ‘Meats’ West” Dinner: grilled Baja Magdalena scallops on the shell with Hokkaido-style chan chan Yaki sauce, shimeji mushrooms, dusting of Terranea Resort-harvested kelp flakes from chef Bernard Ibarra of Terranea Resort, paired with 2017 Clif Family Winery Oak Knoll Sauvignon Blanc.
The Cavallo Point chapel transformed for “East ‘Meats’ West” dinner

On the final day tasting, there were a number of stand out tastes, including:
— Chef Sarah Steffan of Tennessee’s famed Blackberry Farm crispy grit cakes in truffle aioli & burnt honey
— Heitz Cellar’s ever wonderful Zin and Cabernets, poured by CEO & master somm Carlton McCoy (always one of the truest examples of classic, balanced Napa wines that age stunningly)
— Chef Anthony Cole of Chatham Bars Inn in MA lobster “Newburg” in hen egg emulsion with caviar— at Cavallo Point: The Lodge at the Golden Gate; Fort Baker, San Francisco Bay.
Golden Gate Bridge and Bay views from Cavallo Point, nestled in the Fort Baker cove
Test driving a Lexus LC500h through the gorgeous Marin Headlands, one of the many perks of the weekend
Cruising the Marin Headlands