SF CHEFS.FOOD.WINE. – August 6-9, 2009

Chef/DJ/Top Chef Master Extraordinaire, Hubert Keller DJing at Saturday night's Urban BBQ

SF Chefs.Food.Wine was nothing short of blissful weekend of  eating, drinking and connecting with passionate foodies, industry folk, chefs, bartenders and vineyards… all from the Bay Area.

The first urban food & wine “classic”, as it were, happened right under tents in Union Square, with classes, tastings and sessions at nearby restaurants, and a three night roster of gala dinners, awards ceremonies and parties. I wish I could have gone to every single one, but I will tell you now, mark you calendar for next August and plan to splurge on one day, one evening event, anything. If there is one food and drink event I’ve found worth the price, paced well, allowing for face time with chefs, wine owners and bartenders, with more amazing tastes than you have room to try, and one big party, it’s this one.

Watch my Bay Guardian Appetite column for more… I enjoyed three events of the weekend. Here’s a snapshot in photos, by my husband, Daniel Stumpf, for Saturday Night’s Urban BBQ.

Friday’s Grand Tasting

Mountains of artisanal breads & the Golden Gate Bridge in bread form
Union Square transformed into the Grand Tasting Tent
Chris Cosentino & Jamie Lauren's friendly cook-off competition - MC Michael Chiarello looks on
Illustrious judges Hubert Keller, Tyler Florence, Sara Moulton, Jessica Battilana
Chiarello samples Cosentino's corn cocktail

Saturday Night’s Urban BBQ

Entrance to the tents... magic awaits within
Entrance to the tents… magic awaits within
Artists painting live during the evening
Artists painting live during the evening
Neyah White's brilliant build-your-own cocktail bar with his housemade bitters, exotic sugars and spirits
Neyah White’s brilliant build-your-own cocktail bar with his housemade bitters, exotic sugars and spirits
Scott Beattie & Lou Bustamante mix Beattie's gorgeous Autumn Apple cocktail
Scott Beattie & Lou Bustamante mix Beattie’s gorgeous Autumn Apple cocktail
Watermelon granita
Watermelon granita with tuna
Martin Cate mixes a classic Nui Nui & a sneak Smuggler's Cove preview, The Dead Reckoning
Martin Cate mixes a classic Nui Nui & a sneak Smuggler’s Cove preview, The Dead Reckoning
Chocolate Whiskey Alaska for dessert from Absinthe's Luis Villavelazquez
Chocolate Whiskey Alaska for dessert from Absinthe’s Luis Villavelazquez
15 Romolo's guys serve a Smokin' Bols (Bols Genever, Benesin Mezcal, Cascadian Amarillo hops, mint, lime, simple syrup)
15 Romolo’s Aaron Gregory & Jared Anderson serve Smokin’ Bols (Bols Genever, Benesin Mezcal, Cascadian Amarillo hops, mint, lime, simple syrup)
Chef DJ Hubert Keller rocks the crowd
Chef DJ Hubert Keller rocks the crowd
Silver Moon's Mojito Ice Sorbet drizzled with rum & lime essence
Silver Moon’s Mojito Ice Sorbet drizzled with rum & lime essence
Dancin' to Hubert
Dancin’ to Hubert Keller’s turntable tunes

8/8 Chocolate Enchantment After Party

collage