In May 2014, we gathered among redwood trees in our favorite food and wine region of California. Together we built wood-fired ovens, experimented with flavor extractions, made chocolate from cacao and learned the wondrous workings of honey bee hives.
People in the culinary world speak a special language, and we are all connected through food. We each leave our own mark in the world, but together we are a powerful force in helping to determine what we eat now, and what we will eat in the future.
Emilia Juocys, Eat Retreat alumni & chef
For a taste of the regional food culture, Eat Retreaters ventured into Mendocino County to spend a morning with local producers.
Craft Distillers
Ansley Coale walked Eat Retreaters through the distillation process and a tasting of the award-winning brandy, Germain-Robin, made in Ukiah, California.
The Apple Farm
The Apple Farm is a working farm with a focus on education in Philo, California. Eat Retreaters were invited to observe the slaughter process as Sophia Bates and Brittany Davis harvested lambs.
Philo Ridge Vineyards
Eat Retreaters enjoyed a vineyard tour and barrel tasting with Fred Buonanno and Heather McKelvey, the vintners, winemakers and founders of Philo Ridge Vineyards.
Mendocino Grain Project
Doug Mosel and John Gramke led a tour of Mendocino Grain Project’s fields and granary where they raise, harvest and mill a diverse crop of ancient, heirloom and landrace grains.
When I followed my instinct to cooking school, I had a vision of being a part of something bigger. Something was happening in the food world and I wanted to be part of it. Here’s a secret: it’s all about the people. The people that grow it, butcher it, ferment it, cook it, teach it, photograph it and, of course, eat it. Eat Retreat reminded me why I joined the ranks.
Clare Langan, Eat Retreat alumni, chef & culinary instructor
Our Event Partners
Table 128 at The Boonville Hotel
Sprig
The Local Butcher Shop
Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company
Chuao Chocolatier
Enzo Olive Oil
Spice Hound
Ancient Heritage Dairy
Black Oak Coffee Roasters
Siren Fish Co.
Germain-Robin
Almanac Beer Company
Signal Ridge Vineyard
Navarro Vineyards
Philo Apple Farm
Craft Distillers
Philo Ridge Vineyards
The Anderson Valley Team
Kathryn Tomajan
Kathryn Tomajan farms three acres of olives in Sunol, California. She is a certified olive oil taster and the maker of Fat Gold.
Heather Marold Thomason
Whole-animal butcher & supply chain expert
James Collier
Photographer, writer & creative strategist
Nate Keller
Chef
Passion abounds in the food universe, but informed, coherent, level-headed and effective passion is a rare constellation… and Eat Retreat was the Milky Way.
Jonathan S. White, Eat Retreat alumni, grass farmer & cheese maker
Still Hungry?
To get the full story of Eat Retreat Anderson Valley, check out our book!