Wine Tasting in Budafok
The doors to Honig Pence winery, in the Roman town of Budafok, just outside Budapest. I visited Hungary in early July 2013 and spent an afternoon getting to know the … Continue reading
Transition back after the BasqueStage…
After living the first half of 2012 in Pais Vasco, I have returned to California. I came home with excitement, ready to start in earnest my cooking career. I left … Continue reading
Walking the Camino de Santiago
Next time you feel like walking twenty-two kilometers, I have just the trail for you. It runs from Donostia to nearby surf-spot Zarautz, and the views are out of this … Continue reading
Wrapping up at Aroa
Time flies when you’re harvesting peas, right? This maxim- and the classic …when you’re having fun- applies to our most recent and final apprenticeship at Aroa farm. Elisha and I … Continue reading
On the Farm at Aroa
I have never sneezed so much in my life. While I’ve always been a bubble kid in terms of allergies, these past three weeks have been a doozy. My fellow … Continue reading
Tending Sheep, Making Cheese: One week at Martin Txiki
“It takes ten thousand hours of practice to master a skill,” Elisha reminded me. We were watching Tere, a veteran local cheese maker, cut the curds of sheepsmilk to make … Continue reading
Wrapping up at Fronton de Tolosa
The BasqueStage is sure keeping us on our toes! Fellow Sammic scholar Elisha Ben-Haim and I recently finished another stage, this time at the traditional Basque restaurant Fronton de Tolosa. … Continue reading
Rompeolas- Lunch on the Streets of Tolosa
Ever wonder what it’s like to cook for 250 people? Fellow Sammic BasqueStage scholar Elisha Ben Haim and I found out last week. We collaborated with Chef Roberto Ruiz, head … Continue reading
Nature in Pais Vasco
The food here is amazing, but so is the landscape. After one solid month of rain, the sun has come out and it feels like spring is finally here. Here … Continue reading
Visit to Iztueta Dairy Farm
“Careful, that calf is nine days old,” the fourth generation dairy farmer told us. We were kneeling in front of six large stalls with young calves inside, all a little … Continue reading