Shop with the Chef
Market tours with chef and cooking demonstration
Our Shop with the Chef series features professional chefs from local restaurants, caterers, and cookbook authors who provide cooking demonstrations throughout the year at the market, from May through November.
When: Second Saturday of each month, May through November. Tour begins promptly at 8:30 am. Cooking demonstration begins between 8:45 am and 9:00 am.
Where: Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College
Coming Chef Events:
SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2008:
Chef Paul Magill
Private Chef
Trained in classical French cuisine, Paul recently moved to California from his native New Zealand and is skilled in many different styles of cuisine from classic Italian to Pacific fusion. Paul’s broad work experience ranges from working as a chef at the ‘bottom of the earth’ in Antarctica at New Zealand’s Scott Base to working as a private chef for royalty in the South of France!
SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2008
CHEF PATTY SEARLE
CONSULTANT, PRIVATE CHEF AND CATERER, THRIVIN’ EDIBLES
Chef Patti Searle is a recent graduate of the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute in Fort Bragg, CA, a premier raw organic vegan chef school. Patti fell in love with raw/live food while on a retreat in San Diego over two years ago, and having experienced the many benefits of eating raw cuisine, turned her love for making food for people into a catering business in early 2007. Patti delivers healthy lunches and dinners for busy people all over the South SF Bay area each week and caters events for both corporations and individuals.
In addition, Patti offers private consultations about how to organize your raw kitchen, food prep classes (for 1 or more), menu planning, and grocery shopping. For more information, contact Patti at chefpatti@thrivinedibles.com or see her website www.thrivinedibles.com.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2008
CHEF MICHAEL GREER
OWNER/CHEF AT LA BELLA VITA BISTRO, 257 CENTER AVENUE, APTOS, CA 95001
Michael Greer, owner/chef of La Bella Vita Bistro opened the doors of his cozy neighborhood café in July 2007. Michael considers himself a self-taught chef and has been cooking for the past 22 years. He specializes in Italian cooking but enjoys introducing a bit of Asian flair and creating unique sauces. He welcomes you to come enjoy fine Italian dining at La Bella Vita Bistro and has accommodations for 50+ people.
For reservations, call 831.685.8111 or see their website at www.labellavitabistro.com.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
CHEF TOM MCNARY
OWNER/CHEF AT CARRIED AWAY FOODS, 7564 SOQUEL, APTOS, CA 95003
Tom McNary and Mima Lecocq have owned and operated Carried Away Foods in the Aptos Center location since November 1989. After graduating from cooking school, Tom worked at Chez Panisse in Berkeley for many years, which helped to shape his food philosophy of using the freshest, seasonal ingredients prepared with passion and care. Tom takes pride in preparing high quality foods using primarily organic, locally-sourced ingredients from the farmers markets.
Tom heads up the kitchen and is the mastermind behind the seasonal menus. Carried Away Foods is a favorite spot for locals who appreciate healthy meals to “carry away.” A monthly menu is posted on their website offering a wide selection of delicious items. Go to www.carriedawayfoods.com for current menu of the month or catering menu. Call 831.685.8111 for more information.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2008
HEIDI SCHLECHT AND AMY LINDSTROM
OWNERS/CHEFS OF FEEL GOOD FOODS AND RIVER CAFÉ AND CHEESE SHOP, 415 RIVER STREET, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
Heidi Schlecht and Amy Linstrom were born and raised in the Santa Cruz area. They have been enjoying food and friendship together since childhood. High school found them frequenting gourmet food shops during lunch break and vacations were spent exploring the culinary traditions of the world.
Growing up in the food business, Heidi has always been cooking and now lives with her family on their mountain vineyard where she tends her many fruit trees and large garden.
She started Feel Good Foods catering business in 1994 after a seven-year collaboration in an organic wholesale food business with Amy. Amy studied and taught at the UCSC Farm & Garden Program and then worked as a kitchen gardener where she kept finding herself in the kitchen. She went on to complete an apprenticeship at Chez Panisse and then joined Feel Good Foods in 1998.
In 2004, Amy and Heidi opened River Café and Cheese Shop, offering artisanal cheeses and is the perfect place to pick up a quick bite of breakfast or lunch, or picnic supplies for a wine tour or the beach.
The River Café and Cheese shop is open Monday through Saturday.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2008
STUDENTS FROM CABRILLO COLLEGE CULINARY PROGRAM
Come enjoy a cooking demonstration by students from the Cabrillo College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management program. This excellent program provides students with basic culinary food preparation and service training, advanced a la carte and buffet food production and service experience, as well as food service management training for the industry. Cabrillo College offers both a Certificate of Proficiency and an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management.