A cable TV show called "Top Eats" is being developed for the Discovery Channel and one of the pilot episodes was filmed in Sacramento.
A camera crew recently descended on midtown's Lounge ON20, where executive chef Pajo Bruich showed off some of the techniques he uses to create some of the city's most cutting-edge food.
Also featured was Edward Martinez, the pastry chef of Hawks who left behind his street-gang roots to become one of Northern California's most creative pastry chefs. (You can read more about Martinez at www.sacbee. com/foodwine.)
For the filming, Bruich showed off some spherification and sous vide techniques, along with creating a noodlelike dish out of lychee. Then, everyone sat down for dinner and talked more about the food.
"We did a good array of things," said Bruich. "We showed the products on the farm and with the seafood supplier, then went into the kitchen and then the dinner table to show how it all came together."
The episode is in post- production, and then it's wait-and-see time for word about the series getting picked up by the Discovery Channel.
In other collaborative news, Bruich and Martinez will work together at a Napa dinner May 31 that's hosted at J.P. Harbison Wines. Elaine Baker, another of Sacramento's prominent pastry chefs, will also be on this culinary team.
Chris Macias
Big wine doin's at Bogle
Today as Earth Day arrives, the family behind Bogle Vineyards invites you to come out and maybe get your feet a little muddy, too.
Part of today's event will take place in Bogle's chardonnay vineyards, adjacent to the winery's tasting room, where company president and vineyard manager Warren Bogle will discuss Bogle's sustainable grape-growing practices. Participants should wear shoes that they're not afraid of getting a little soiled.
Winemaker Chris Smith will discuss Bogle's sustainable winemaking practices, followed by a reception right in the vineyard. The discussion part of the event is expected to last an hour.
"It's going to be a fun, casual event," said Jody Bogle, who runs customer affairs and international sales for the winery. "Warren will talk about the (sustainable) practices we use in the vineyards, and these aren't new. He learned these things from our dad and grandfather."
Along with Ryan Bogle, the company's vice president, siblings Warren and Jody mark the family's sixth generation of farming in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This latest generation is determined to keep the winery growing; it ships some 1.2 million cases annually and was named the country's 15th largest winery by Wine Business Monthly.
The company, which has also used production and storage facilities around Northern California, is in the process of consolidating all its operations in Clarksburg.
The winery will also host events every Friday during the summer featuring live music and food, and with extended tasting room hours to 8 p.m.
Today's event is free and starts at 10 a.m. Bogle Vineyards is at 37783 County Road 144 in Clarksburg.
For more information: (916) 744-1139, www.boglewinery.com.
Chris Macias
Will repay you Tuesday ...
I don't know how they're going to do this, but it should be fun trying. The folks behind the Sacramento Burger Battle plan an event for September in which they will invite the many restaurants with excellent burgers to put forth their best entries.
Then a panel of judges will somehow pick the best one. It should be brutal. As we have pointed out many times, Sacramento has some great burgers and the list keeps growing. My recent contender for best burger is Restaurant Thir13en. Then I start thinking about all the others Hawks, Mulvaney's, Formoli's, Juno's, the Eatery, Willie's, Scott's Burger Shack and start to wonder: Can anyone eat all of these at a competition and stay alive long enough to declare a winner?
One way or another, I suppose we'll have our answer in September. Sounds like a great idea, a fun event, a good cause (charity) and good publicity for the Sacramento food scene. To keep up with details as they become available, including a specific date and venue, go to www.sacburgerbattle.com.
Blair Anthony Robertson
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