They’ll be saluting agriculture on the west coast very soon. Any announcement that contains phrases like “menu of local produce and bold red wines” catches my attention. So check out the Taste of The Valley Food and Wine Show.
The Salinas Valley, located on the Central Coast of California and known as the “Salad Bowl of the World,” will be the setting this September for the 2007 Salute to Agriculture fresh produce, food and wine show.
The annual vintner and culinary event begins Wednesday, Sept. 12, with an exclusive limited-seating, multicourse dinner pairing produce and wine to be served under a canopy overlooking the picturesque Salinas Valley. This new VIP Pairing Dinner will feature a Mediterranean-fused menu of local produce and bold red wines from the San Antonio Valley wine region, the newest viticulture area of Monterey County.
On Thursday, Sept. 13, the annual Agricultural Leadership Awards Luncheon will honor an outstanding leader in the produce industry, with a menu highlighting fresh produce and wine. An invitation-only VIP bus tour for food editors, writers and specially invited legislators on Friday, Sept. 14, will give an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Salinas Valley’s innovative growing and processing facilities and the area’s bountiful vegetable fields.
Friday’s grand finale will be the Taste of the Valley Food and Wine Show, featuring local growers, vintners and award-winning chefs preparing new and vintage menus made up of Salinas Valley produce and wines. The evening event also includes the second annual Earth to Eats series of chef demonstrations that will combine celebrity chefs and wine experts with the region’s bounty to create healthy menus.