What do you get when you take six California sushi chefs and have them battle it out in a 45-minute winner-takes-all sushi brawl?
SushiMasters!
The California Rice Commission held its fourth annual SushiMaster competition last night in Sacramento and it was a battle between chefs from Fresno, Hollywood, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento’s own Billy Ngo, chef/owner of Kru. A few months back, a few SacFoodies raved about Kru’s sushi (apparently the Ziggy roll reigns supreme according to SacFoodie palates), so we were definitely rooting on our hometown chef. However, his victory will come another day because this year’s SushiMaster is Chef Tomaharu Nakamura of Sanraku Four Seasons in San Francisco. I lived in San Francisco for five years, and for two of those years, walked by Sanraku Four Seasons every day, and never once went in. Foolish, foolish me.
So Sacramentans, what’s your favorite sushi joint in the Capitol city? I’d have to say mine is Nishiki. The Capitol and McHenry rolls are scrumptious!
‘Wine & Dine’ in Sacramento, Why Not?
We’ve just received word that the 2nd Annual Sacramento Wine & Dine is just around the corner. What does this mean? It’s your opportunity to dine in the ‘who’s who’ of Sacramento restaurants, each with a special discounted prix fixe Wine & Dine menu (with wine pairings to boot!). The event runs this Saturday, June 7 through Saturday, June 14.
Click here to see all participating restaurants and view their Wine & Dine menus.
Slow Food Event: SLOW DOWN ON THE DELTA
This Saturday, Slow Food Placer, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo Convivia will be hosting a special dinner on the Delta with guest speaker Anya Fernald, CEO of Slow Food Nation and longtime program director for California Alliance of Family Farms. Her husband, Renato Sardo, head of Slow Food International, will also be attending.
The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Vino Farms, 51375 S. Netherlands Road, Clarksburg, CA 95612.
Talented chefs from each region will prepare a four-course meal from each county’s seasonal agricultural products – Patrick Mulvaney (Sacramento), Molly Hawks and Michael Fagnoni (Placer), Daniel Bell (Solano) and Pru Mendez (Davis). The chefs are sourcing locally grown food, such as spring lamb, endive extravaganza, local cheeses and nuts, and appetizers and desserts using fruits and vegetables sourced from the four counties. Wines from each county will also be served
Tickets: $85 General Public; $75 Slow Food members available at Brown Paper Tickets
For more information, visit http://slowfoodsacramento.com.
Sushi Show Down (try to say that ten times fast!)
Our friends at the California Rice Commission will again bring the SushiMasters Finals to Sacramento. The June 10 event should prove to be an appetizing treat for both the eyes and taste buds. Representing the Sacramento area in the sushi-making show down will be none other than Billy Ngo of Kru restaurant, a Sacfoodies sushi favorite.
The 2008 SushiMasters Finals are open to the public and will also feature sushi and sake tasting (yum!), so don’t miss out!
Who: Come one, come all!
What: 2008 SushiMasters Finals
When: Tuesday, June 10, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Sacramento Convention Center
Why: Where else in Sacramento can you see a good ol’ sushi show down?
Cost: $65, visit http://www.sushimasters.com for ticket information
For the Love of Zin
The sunny Lodi winegrowing region is known for its production of Old Vine Zinfandel – a jammy wine that pairs well with spicy, grilled summer meats and vegetables. This year’s annual ZinFest Wine Festival featured 50 Lodi wineries, 100 degree temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere.
Two of our favorites wineries were most certainly pouring – D’Art and Macchia. Dave and Helen Dart make one of our favorite Lodi wines – an award-winning rich and full-flavored Tempranillo, and Macchia’s Zins never let us down.
Wine lovers had the opportunity to sample many Lodi wines, enjoy live music and even attend a wine and cooking school.
The heat didn’t keep the crowds away, but it sure was nice to kick back and enjoy a ride around the lake back to the parking lot.
If you’ve never been, mark your calendars for next year’s Lodi ZinFest and just maybe it won’t be quite as hot.