Carmel Magazine

046-074 Shortcuts_SU05 Carmel Magazine 10/23/13 5:40 PM Page 3 SHORTCUTS EVENT Photo: Kodiak Greenwood Big Sur Food and Wine Features Spectacular Settings Breathtaking Big Sur is the setting for the Big Sur Food and Wine Festival (BSF&W), which takes place November 7-10th. Settings include Post Ranch, Ventana, Henry Miller Library, Big Sur Roadhouse, Rancho Rico, Big Sur Bakery, Esalen, Deetjen's Big Sur and Treebones Resort. oby Rowland-Jones' life journey has led him to some interesting T places, gastronomically speaking, beginning in his native Wales, weav- Apple Pie Schools. The word community is the driving force behind BSF&W. Santa Lucia ing through London, Los Angeles and San Francisco, before landing on the Highlands vintner and winemaker Gary Franscioni has been involved in and five years ago founded what has quickly become one of the area's sig- "Big Sur is very dear to us," Franscioni says, speaking of himself and Peninsula in 1991. He's become a staple of the tight-knit culinary scene the festival since day one. nature events, The Big Sur Food and Wine Festival (BSF&W). partner Gary Pisoni. "We are like the home-based wineries here." tacular settings this magical region has to offer: Post Ranch,Ventana, Henry Noir—Friday November 8 for a Winemaker Dinner at Big Sur Bakery. Deetjen's Big Sur Inn and Treebones Resort. And that doesn't include sev- he adds. "At Big Sur, we hang out with friends." BSF&W takes place November 7 through 10 in some of the most spec- Miller Library, Big Sur Roadhouse, Rancho Rico, Big Sur Bakery, Esalen, eral stunning private residences and the opening night soiree at the Highlands Inn. "The initial idea was to promote Big Sur as a culinary destination," the animated and enthusiastic Rowland-Jones says, "and to raise funds for the community." To date, the festival has raised more than $100,000 for ben- eficiaries including The Big Sur Health Center and Captain Cooper and 48 C ARMEL M AG A Z I N E • H O L I D AY 2013 Franscioni will be pouring his ROAR wines—especially his delightful Pinot "At other food and wine festivals, we spend our off time selling wine," There's another key word: friends. "All the chefs and winemakers are friends of ours and of each other," Rowland-Jones says. "As a result, everyone really goes above and beyond." At press time, several events were sold out, but tickets remain for some events. Visit www.bigsurfoodandwine.org for more information. —Michael Chatfield

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