Foodbuzz Gala Dinner

by Lauren on November 11, 2010

Ever since I wrote about that one bite of pumpkin naan with paratha dip and jalapeño jelly, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it! Where can I find that around here?!?! OR that amazing pork sandwich that was coated in cornmeal at the Street Food Fare. Oh, I want to go back to San Fran!

But the last two Foodbuzz Festival Posts were just an amuse-bouche to the Gala dinner that took place on the last night in San Francisco. It was a truly extraordinary event, and looking back now, makes me feel very lucky to have been a part of it.

It all started back at the Ferry Building for some wine and passed hors d’oeuvres. I only got to try the polenta cups fllled with goat cheese, and hoison beef wrapped around green onions, but both were incredible.

Then came the 4 course sit down dinner. The building was decorated so beautifully with big round tables dressed in dark purple tablecloths with bright green centerpieces, and place settings for each person.

We started with a Roasted Golden Beet Tart with Feta and Currants, Wild arugula, and Basil Puree. This dish was paired with the 2009 Bonny Doon Vineyard Ca’ del Solo Albarino. I am a huge Albarino fan, so I was excited about this wine pairing.

Course number two was probably my favorite dish of the entire meal, and maybe of the entire weekend. Seared Scallops with Bonny Doon Vineyard Verjus Beurre Blanc. This was served with Braised Fennel and garnished with Fried Fennel Fonds. There really are no words to describe this dish besides UNBELIEVABLE!

Next was the Lamb dish. This was a Rosemary and Garlic Infused Rack of Lamb with Local Wild Mushrooms, Pinot Noir Sauce, and a Butternut Squash Puree.

This course was paired with the 2006 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant, which is a Rhone blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Carignane.

This dish was very good, but after seeing Lauren’s vegetarian option I wish I had ordered that instead.

And last, but not least was the dessert. Tarta de Almendras with Oranges, which was a Buttery Almond Cake with Oranges and a Spanish Sherry Sabayon.

And of course this course was served with coffee and dessert wine. The dessert wine was the 2008 Bonny Doon Vineyard Vinferno, and it paired perfectly with the dessert since the dessert itself was not too sweet. I always think dessert wines go well with desserts that aren’t overly sweet.

Our waiter was incredible, and they served the dishes with just the right amount of time in between each one. We talked, and drank, and ate, and talked, and it was just a memorable night.

And that concludes my time in San Francisco. It was so nice to meet over 300 people that were all so different, but all so similar. We were brought together by food and photography. This trip not only challenged me, but it also inspired me in so many ways. I would do it all over again in a heart beet. You can definitely count me in for next year, except this time I’m staying longer. And taking more videos!