NORTH BAY
North Bay producers land Good Food Awards: The 2014 Good Food Award winners have been announced, with several North Bay producers given the nod for taste and responsible production.
Here are some of the Wine Country winners:
- Bear Republic Brewing Co. of Healdsburg won in the Beer category for its Cafe Racer 15, a seasonal ale that's a double IPA.
- Bellwether Farms of Petaluma won in the cheese category for two cheeses: Whole Milk Ricotta and Carmody, a buttery, cow's milk cheese.
- Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co. of Point Reyes Station won in the cheese category for Toma, a buttery cow's milk cheese.
- Flying Goat Coffee of Healdsburg won in the coffee category for its Ethiopia Wote Konga.
- Tallgrass Ranch of Sonoma Valley won in the oils catgory for its Tallgrass Ranch Estate Blend extra virgin olive oil.
- Wine Forest Wild Foods of Napa won in the pickles category for its Pickled Sea Beans.
This year's 130 winning food ad drink producers were selected from 1,450 entries from all 50 states in a blind tasting held in September.
For a complete list of winners, go to goodfoodawards.org.
SONOMA COUNTY
Crab feed season still in full swing: It's time to dive into a few crab feeds this winter while the delicate Dungeness are still being caught offshore in the eelgrass beds. Here are a few to consider:
The 25th annual Great Sonoma Crab and Wine Fest, to benefit the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Sonoma County Fairgrounds' Grace Pavilion. $75 includes wines, hors d'oeuvres, fresh crab with all the accompaniments and a live auction. 544-3575 or sonomafb.org.
Sbragia Family Vineyards will hold a family-style feast of fresh crab with chardonnay and live music at 6 p.m. Saturday at the winery, 9990 Dry Creek Road, Geyserville. $90. To reserve: info@sbragia.com.
The AAUW Santa Rosa Branch Crab Feed will begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Saturday Afternoon Club, 430 10th St., Santa Rosa. $45, includes crab, salad, dessert and wine and benefits the AAUW Educational Opportunities Fund and Sonoma State University scholarships. To reserve: 542-1050 by Feb. 4.
The Penngrove Social Firemen Crab Feed starts at 5:45 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Penngrove Community Clubhouse. Dinner includes crab, pasta, salad, bread and a no-host bar for $40. Tickets available at JavAmore Cafe in Penngrove. 794-1516.
HEALDSBURG
Dry Creek Passport tickets on sale Saturday: Tickets to the 25th annual Passport to Dry Creek Valley, April 26-27, will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday and are expected to sell out quickly.
Fifty wineries throughout Dry Creek Valley participate in the two-day event and feature wine tasting, gourmet food and live entertainment.
A two-day passport costs $120, a Sunday-only passport is $70. To reserve, go to wdcv.com.
SEBASTOPOL
HopMonk plans Feb. 9 beer dinner: HopMonk Tavern will celebrate San Francisco Beer Week at 6 p.m. Feb. 9 with a special beer dinner attended by Dave Adams, director of beer education at the legendary Green Flash Brewing Company of San Diego.
Five ales from Green Flash will be paired with a menu prepared by HopMonk Executive Chef Billy Reid. Dishes include Peruvian Style Ceviche, Grilled Endive Salad, Chocolate Dusted Beef Wellington and a Butterscotch Mousse over Vanilla Crisps.
Tickets are $59, including tax and tip. To reserve: hopmonk.com/store/beer-dinner. 230 Petaluma Ave. 829-7300.
HEALDSBURG
New sommelier at Dry Creek Kitchen: Sommelier Courtney Humiston has joined the team at Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen, where she is in charge of an all-Sonoma County wine list of more than 500 wines.
Humiston started out covering food and wine as a reporter for NBC New York, then moved to Napa Valley in 2010 to study wine at the Culinary Institute of America, where she earned the certified sommelier designation through the Court of Master Sommeliers.
She has worked at Press restaurant in St. Helena, which has the world's largest collection of Napa Valley wines.
At the Dry Creek Kitchen, she will continue to curate the wine list, which includes vintages from 1986 to 2012, with an emphasis on pinot noir and chardonnay.
Dry Creek Kitchen is located at 317 Healdsburg Ave. 431-0330. charliepalmer.com.
ROHNERT PARK
Chinese New Year menu at M.Y. China: Celebrity Chef Martin Yan's M.Y. China restaurant at the Graton Resort -amp; Casino will showcase a special menu through Feb. 21 to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse.
The menu will highlight an array of traditional Chinese New Year dishes on two prix fixe menus: the Prosperity menu ($88 for two) and the Wealth menu ($68 for two).
M.Y. China will also feature Iron Horse's Sparkling Chinese Cuvee and specialty cocktails inspired by the Year of the Horse.
The restaurant is located at 288 Golf Course Drive West, Rohnert Park. 703-1955. tastemychina.com.
HEALDSBURG
Lioco, Shed join for monthly lunches: Lioco Wines of Santa Rosa is teaming up with the Healdsburg Shed to offer a family-style lunch on the last Friday of every month.
Lioco was founded in 2006 by partners Matt Licklidder and Kevin O'Connor and is known for its balanced chardonnays and pinot noirs.
The first lunch will be offered at noon Friday in the private upstairs dining area of Shed. The menu includes Winter Chicories with Red Wine Vinaigrette, Radishes and Herbs; Braised Chicken Leg with Creamy Polenta and Chanterelle Mushroom Jus; and a Fruit and Spice Cake with Creme Fraiche Whipped Cream.
The cost is $75, including wine, food and tip. To reserve, call 331-3582. Shed is located at 25 North St.
Compiled by Staff Writer Diane Peterson, who can be reached at 521-5287 or diane.peterson@pressdemocrat.com, and Peg Melnik, who can be reached at 521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com.
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