Mustard Season in Northern California
How did the Road Trips Foodie miss the start of the Napa Valley Mustard Festival? Fortunately, it continues through March 27, 2010, so all of us still have time to savor the distinctive taste of the condiment. This Friday (March 12, 2010), for example, is A Spicy Soirée, a black tie gala beginning at 7 p.m. in the Black Stallion Winery, 4089 Silverado Trail, Napa, California. While sipping Napa Valley’s finest vintages and tasting your way through the most creative mustard recipes of the year, the Critic’s Choice recipe judging will take place behind closed doors. Road Trips Foodies in attendance can pit their taste buds against the professionals by casting ballots for People’s Choice Chef of the Year. Tickets at the door are $125.
Then, celebrate the mustard season and taste mustards from around the world from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Signature Event on the Napa Riverwalk Marketplace Saturday and Sunday (March 13 and 14, 2010). Highlights of this rain or shine food, wine and arts festival include celebrity chef cooking demonstrations. Adult admission to The Marketplace is $40 at the door, and includes eight food and five wine tasting tickets (value $1 each), plus a wine glass.
The Photo Finish, the grand finale, steps off at 7 p.m. March 27, 2010, in the Rubicon Estate, Rutherford, California View the season’s beauty captured by photographers from far and wide while tasting an array of Napa Valley wines along with sweets and savories. (Of course! The photos are for sale!) This event sells out, Road Trips Foodies, so if you’ll be in Napa then, buy your tickets in advance for $95.
The 17th annual festival of the spicy spread began January 31, 2010.