The SAN FRANCISCO FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW, coming up March 23rd-27th at the San Mateo Event Center, is celebrating chefs in the garden for the first time ever with a series of garden-to-table cooking demonstrations and talks with leading local chefs Alice Waters (Chez Panisse), Roland Passot (La Folie, Left Bank), Sean Baker (Gather), Jeffrey Stout (Alexander’s Steakhouse), Andrea Froncillo (The Stinking Rose), plus Margo True, food editor, Sunset magazine. Another highlight is filmmaker Deborah Koons Garcia screening excerpts from her upcoming film project, “Symphony of the Soil.”
The “Designing a Chef Worthy Garden” seminar series, with its roster of California chefs, fits right in with this year’s “Life in the California Garden” theme. On Saturday March 26th, Alice Waters and staff will give a cooking demonstration at 2:30pm and a special lecture at 3:30pm celebrating the 40th anniversary of Chez Panisse and its focus on the local food movement. More garden-to-table cooking demos with Sean Baker on Wednesday March 23rd, Andrea Froncillo on Thursday March 24th, Jeffrey Stout on Friday March 25th (all starting at 1pm), and Margo True (11am) and Roland Passot (3pm) on Sunday March 27th will be paired with pointers on how to grow a chef’s garden.
On Friday March 25th at 6pm, see excerpts from Deborah Garcia’s new documentary project, “Symphony of the Soil,” which examines the state of community-based and scientific growing practices worldwide, with an emphasis on green, sustainable practices. Segments premiering will cover dry farming grapes in Napa, vegetable gardening in England, and a successful biodynamic community in Egypt, followed by Q&A with the filmmaker.
Also of interest to the food-centric gardener will be edible garden experts, like author Rosalind Creasy, with kitchen-friendly garden techniques; a farmers’ market with flowers and produce; the 6,000-square-foot Modern Homestead edible garden display by Star Apple Edible Gardens of Oakland, featuring an elegant chicken coop and demonstrations on beer and jam making; and a new wine garden tasting area created by the Livermore Valley Wine Growers Association. Local wineries Concannon Vineyard, Crooked Vine Winery, Cuda Ridge Wines, Darcie Kent Vineyards, Stony Ridge Winery, and Wente Vineyards will offer wine tastings.
As always, the show will feature garden installations from top Bay Area designers; seminars and book signings by experts on a range of topics like flower arranging, design trends, water conservation, lawn alternatives, and growing walls; a marketplace with over 200 vendors selling plants, seeds, tools, and gift items; the Sproutopia children’s garden with fun, hands-on learning opportunities; and brilliant art installations.
Tickets can be purchased online here; admission includes all regular seminars and demonstrations.
Event Info
Wednesday Mar 23, 2011 – Sunday Mar 27, 2011 Wed–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 10am–6pm Advance purchase single-day $16 online, $20 at the door; multi-day, all-show pass $25; half-day pass $15; children under 16 free Info San Mateo Event Center 1346 Saratoga Dr., San Mateo 925-605-2923
