Chef Assistant at the Ranch!

                                                                       What a weekend! 

I am so jazzed about all the fun I had this past weekend at the historic Santa Margarita Ranch for Sunset Magazine's Savor The Central Coast. I was busy in the Chef's Barn prepping for the guest Chef's and their demonstrations.

First up, was Cindy Pawlcyn who is a successful Northern California restaurantuer most well known for her popular Mustards Grill in Napa Valley.

Cindy was a total pro. I have three of her cookbooks and every recipe I have tried has been perfect. For her demonstration she prepared Halibut Stew and Grilled Swordfish with Best Ever Tapenade and slad of Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Red Onion. Both of these recipes can be found in her most recent book Big Small Plates.

Next up was Cat Cora

I knew she had to be tough, (after all, she is the only female chef to ever win the title Iron Chef) and I wondered if she might have an attitude or remind me of many of the 'full of themselves' chefs I have worked with in the industry. No way, not this sweet southern gal! She is the real deal. On top of her game, in control of the crowd, pleasant and patient with everyone that admires her.  She even remembered my name when I ventured over to the other tent to have her sign her cookbook: Cat Cora's Classics with a Twist: Fresh Takes on Favorite Dishes

Sunday was all about Aarti.

I used to follow Aarti's food blog before the country even knew her name. Aarti helped me through nights of insomnia and reminded me that I like to cook and make food because it has the power to make myself and others happy.

I was thrilled when Aarti made it to The Next Food Netwrok Challenge and the hubby and I watched that season every week, cheering her on through the television set. I love Aarti on her blog, homemade You-tube videos and now on the Food Network because I know that I could totally be friends with her. 

I wondered if this stardom had hardened her a bit. I could see how it might. To my happiness it had not. She is a lovely as she used to be in her home kitchen with her hubby filming her. I told her how long i have been a fan and I believe it mde her happy.  Her hubby - or Bren as he is fondly known in her blog - was there to spend the day with her. He is a real as can be also. She included him in her demo and it made everyone in the audience feel like I do, that we are old friends. Aarti was a pro in her demo and I was her assistant on stage. I am afraid I might have tried to hard to help her and pulled the finished product out of the oven too soon. The food was done but in hindsight I think I  should have just turned the oven off and let her do the magic of bringing it out of the oven. I have to admit I was a little nervous up there and I wanted to be sure I didn't mess anything up. If it bothered her Aarti never let it show. She demo's her Pout Plumper Chicken Wings and Arayes.

Aarti was such a doll, she even ran back to give me ahug and thank me before she went off to her meet and greet.

Eveyone of the recipes that were demo'd were excellent! 

All of these ladies really know their stuff. It was a pleasure to be their assistant and I hope to be able to do it again for someone else next year.