By Tanya Henry
Two big-time celebrity chefs are making appearances in Marin this month. Though both are highly accomplished James Beard Award-winning restaurateurs and cookbook authors, they couldn’t be more different.
New York chef Marcus Samuelsson, who wrote the moving Yes, Chef: A Memoir, has teamed up with the Cooks with Books team at Book Passage and Insalata’s chef/owner Heidi Krahling for an event at the San Anselmo restaurant on Saturday, October 22 at 12:30pm. Samuelsson is promoting his new The Red Rooster Cookbook: The Story of Food and Hustle in Harlem, which celebrates his Harlem restaurant of the same name. Krahling will prepare recipes from Samuelsson’s book and offer guests an intimate afternoon that will include sumptuous Southern cuisine, wine, a signed copy of the book and conversation ($115 per person). Book passage.com.
Meanwhile, TV chef/personality and orange-Croc-wearing Mario Batali is on the road promoting his newest release, Mario Batali–Big American Cookbook: 250 Favorite Recipes from Across the USA. Though mostly known for all things Italian, Batali pivots with this book and takes a deep dive into the foods that we eat here at home. Everything from fish tacos to Boston cream pie is covered in his 25th cookbook. A party, on Thursday, October 27 at Terrapin Crossroads, will include lunch, wine and a signed copy of the book ($125 per person). Book passage.com.
End the month with one of my all-time favorite, only-in-Marin experiences. Headlands Center for the Arts is offering a Sunday Supper on October 30 at 5:30pm in their historic, renovated Mess Hall. Chef Damon Little will prepare a seasonal menu that will be served family-style. Enjoy hyper-local food shared with new friends in this turn-of-the-century historic building—priceless! The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Headlands.org.
Finally, this might be your last chance (before it gets too wet) to take a farm tour and taste some of the state’s very best cheeses—all in one place. The California Artisan Cheese Guild is celebrating American Cheese Month with The California Cheese Experience at the Giacomini Dairy, home to Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese. Cheesemakers will be on hand presenting their cheeses, telling their stories and providing insight into their craft. Marin French Cheese, Cowgirl Creamery and Tomales Farmstead Creamery, among others, will be showcased on Sunday, October 23, 1pm to 4pm, at The Fork at Point Reyes Farmstead, 14700 Highway One, Point Reyes Station ($125 per person). Cacheeseguild.org.
