Another connection to home- Wine and Food with Chef John Ash

As much as I've loved my culinary classes, and all the cooking we've done, the 9 week introduction is over after exams. (The week looms in front of me…. Report on that to follow shortly). Beginning on Monday, we will be in Wine Studies, which is the initial reason I wanted to come to Greystone. The class will be an intensive course on all things related to wine, including food and wine pairings. The curriculum for the class was designed in part by John Ash, who was a favorite faculty member in the wine studies program here at Greystone in the 1990s. Chef Ash has an extensive background in food, wine, and California cuisine, and has left a legacy around the valley. I regret that I won't get to take a class from him myself, but I expect a full report on the wonderful class he will teach at In Good Taste on September 29. I wish I could be there! Luckily, I'll be following a similar class at the origin of those delicious recipes here in Napa.

Don't miss this opportunity to "travel" to Napa !

-Josie

"From Earth to Table" with John Ash

John Ash was one of Food and Wine Magazines “hottest new chefs” in 1985. Since then, he founded a restaurant, John Ash and Company, was the culinary director for Fetzer Vineyards, and teaches wine classes at CIA Greystone (my school!). Although I haven’t had the pleasure of taking a wine class from him yet (we don’t do wine until November), I did have the opportunity to go to his restaurant for lunch and tour the store in Santa Rosa. It was a lovely afternoon, filled with delicious food and wine (amazing California cuisine- Thai style mussels, a perfectly crisp crostini, glazed salmon…. We enjoyed ourselves).

The good news is that John Ash will be a guest chef at In Good Taste on Saturday, September 29 at 6:30 pm. He’ll be demonstrating recipes from his book that showcase his creative California cuisine. While I was at the restaurant, I mentioned that I had first discovered Chef Ash at In Good Taste. The hostess knew exactly what I was talking about, and I was so proud to say that I was a part of the wonderful community that makes up the store and cooking school. :-) It almost made me feel at home.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet John Ash and learn about his food, company and cooking style. It will be an evening to savor!
- Josie