Spring Greetings!
CP _ Sally Schmitt 2-2018
Culinary Hero
I had lunch at Mustards recently with one of my culinary hero's, Sally Schmitt . Sally and her husband Don started the French Laundry in Yountville and ran it for 16 years before selling it to Thomas Keller in 1994.
 
When I first met Sally in the early 1980's I showed her a news-clipping photograph of her. I carried it with me to prove to any naysayers that there were indeed women chefs in America. Some of you may remember Sally from the cooking classes she taught first at Trefethen Family Vineyards and later at the Apple Farm in Philo.
 
The exciting news is that Sally is almost finished with her memoir and cookbook. I look forward to her recipe for the olive oil crust used in her savory pies. I'll let you know when it's published.  
International Women's Day
 On March 8, International Women's Day , I was on a panel at the CIA in Napa discussing work/life integration, personal empowerment, and gender equality in our community. I was pleased to share the stage with several prominent women from the Napa Valley including vintner and local historian Robin Lail.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day  
My friend Don Fraser will be pleased to know that April 20 is National Pineapple Upside Down Cake day. It's on the menu at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen so be sure to get in to celebrate this delicious dessert.
Spring into a few menu changes at CBK
The Adult Grilled Cheese with rhubarb at Cindy's is made with Fiscalini cheddar and Cowgirl Creamery Wagon Wheel cheese. The addition of rhubarb gives the sandwich a nice brightness.
 
The Fiscalini bandaged-wrapped cheddar made in Modesto is aged to perfection in the tradition of the best English cheddars. The Wagon Wheel is made in 16-pound wheels in Petaluma. If you love cheese like I do check out the Cowlgirl Creamery website and its Library of Cheese.
 
Our local cheese expert is Janet Fletcher. Janet writes for the San Francisco Chronicle and many other publications and holds classes in the Napa Valley. I have signed up for a class and you can check out her schedule of classes HERE.
 
The Sizzling Rice Bibimbap (say it quickly 3-times) at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen has fresh spring ingredients including roasted carrots, sweet peas, miso and our house made Kimchi.
Middle Eastern Cooking at Mustards Grill 
At Mustards Grill we feature recipes from the best Turkish, Lebanese and Greek cookbooks in my library for Pour Off Pair Off Friday's. Check out the menus HERE and make a reservation for your favorite day.
Oatmeal Cookies
Showers of April Recipes  
In the spirit of National Chocolate Mousse day (click HERE for mousse recipe!) on April 3 and National Oatmeal Cookie day ( click HERE for the cookie recipe!) on April 30 the recipes for this month feature both of these treats. 
France is Feast has been extended! 
France Is a Feast, the photographic journey of Paul and Julia Child at the Napa Valley Museum in Yountville has been extended through May 20, 2018. It's the world premier exhibition of extraordinary and intimate photographs by Paul Child, depicting his life with wife Julia Child in France. Be sure to get the audio tour-I am interviewed. 
Happy Spring!

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  Cindy Pawlcyn Napa Valley
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