What a Magnificent Day in the Country!

So after going to so many events for so many years, its hard to be surprised and feel overwhelmed anymore, to feel you'll see any new and exciting to the scenes - this most recent A Day In the Country was just that...wow factor all over! 

From the beautiful day, the ride out to Park Winters (even getting lost once again couldn't deter from the excitement), the beautiful focal point of the old white Victorian mansion in the middle of the estate grounds, and the beautiful foods as far as the eye could see!

As with any event showcasing the growers all the Sacramento celebrity chefs show up - these growers can be the most important contacts for these chefs. From P. Mulvaney to A. Pascal, J. Longacre to A. Harrington, everyone was here to support. 

Not to mention all the San Francisco stars schmoozing though-out, but the grand scale was when California Governor Jerry Brown stopped by to say a few words and partake in the fodder and libations. 

Along with Gov. Brown was also a true wine star of mine Cal Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross (which I totally had a gushing moment with - where I swear I said "I love your work"...I know, I know). But while the foodie in me was having a hay-day it was the farmers that were really on parade.

The memorable family of Jeff and Annie Main from the Good Humus Farm are a prime example of bringing together farm and foodie - this couple have a 20 acre farm of carefully planned production agriculture and diversified habitat in the Capay Valley. This farm is a perfect example of what Yolo Land Trust (creators of this incredible event) are working so hard to protect. 

They are helping little farms like Good Humus by helping them buy the rights their easement - otherwise known as making their land secure for always being farmed, and not taken over by land developers. Can anyone imagine a better food-related cause for such a wonderful and star-studded event?

Ok, now on to the food...highlights include:

• the red corn polenta covered in chiva barboca made from full belly goat - Grange
• Soft creamy, savory, salty, wonderful flavors all over

• sorbet and liquor shots (rallying when their pig wouldn't roast) - Mulvaneys 
• talk about starting the party, tequila and peach sorbet anyone? 
  

• pumpkin gelato with chocolate sauce, fig tarts, apricot tarts - Konditorei
• soft, creamy gelato with all the flavors of fall

• pork sliders with fig jam and arugula, short night black mission figs - Slow Club
  
• salty, sweet, crunchy, brioche rolls - beau

• watermelon melon margarita's and watermelon, basil, feta salad - Durst Organic Farms
• who wouldn't love a salted-rimed dixie cup filled with sweet watermelon margarita topped with soft watermelon foam, and an accompanying watermelon salad

• candy striped figs stuffed with walnut butter drizzled with balsamic glaze, and an heirloom melon gazpacho garnished with olive oil and vodka
• seriously? This was insane, like popping candy desserts in your mouth, and then finishing it with a savory shot! not to mention they had one of the best catering display designs I've ever scene

There was soooo much great food that I could go on indefinitely, but these were my post food-coma highs

I was like a kid in a candy store with all this great food, food photography, celebrity chef sightings, politico sightings, drinking wine....and then the wonderful and moving speeches from Mary Kimball, Executive Director of the Center for Land-Based Learning and Michele Clark, Executive Director of Yolo Land Trust 

- it's through the impacts of these women, growers like Craig McNamara, Jim Durst, Moyra Barsortti, and so many more that are making California better every day from how we look at food to each bite we take.