CIA Greystone
Image, Appellation St. Helena

A hands-on occasion is approaching that provides an excellent opportunity to experience the pairing of wine with food.  On Saturday, April 1, the annual bASH event will take place in the massive, stone building that houses at the Culinary Institute of America, Greystone, St. Helena, in the Napa Valley.

Team awards
Image, Appellation St. Helena

Teams of CIA students along with notable St. Helena chefs, caterers, and winery chefs will bring their best to the table at this historic venue, built in the late 1880s.  More than 25 Appellation St. Helena wineries will team with the burgeoning food artisan “Rising Star” students, instructors, and chefs by bringing their wines that pair best with the delectable cuisine.  Attendees will join in by acting as judge by voting for the three best pairing teams. For 2017, expect over 30 chef/winery teams to participate.

Food and wine pairing
Image, Appellation St. Helena

Established in 1946, the CIA‘s stated mission is to provide the “world’s best professional culinary education”.  In my many trips to the CIA, Greystone, every bit of cuisine I have tasted there has been excellent, and I mean every bit!  Expect suburb cuisine from the notable chefs and caterers also.

ASH (Appellation St. Helena), represents 20 growers and over 50 wineries in the area.  Wine production is no newcomer to St. Helena, and boasts Napa Valley’s oldest winery, Charles Krug, founded in 1881.  ASH wines are known especially for their purity of fruit.  That fact will not detract from the food and wine pairings.  Be prepared, April 1 should be a real bash!