K. REKA BADGER

Holidays have long been associated with food and drink, necessities that transform into hedonistic pleasures at certain, festive times of the year. With Valentine’s Day looming, lovers everywhere are combing cookbooks and menus searching for just the right treats to set a romantic mood. For those who harbor a powerful sweet tooth, whipped cream, decadent […]

Home to mild weather and moderating ocean breezes, Santa Maria enjoys a fairly even climate all year round. But with temperatures on the rise across the globe, local wine collectors may want to take another look at the storage conditions that will best protect their precious galleries of liquid art. Unlike spirits, such as bourbon […]

Partisan supporters, die-hard fans, and even the gridiron action-impaired eagerly anticipate the big day that lies just ahead. Whether drawn to the spectacle of sport or merely tagging along for the lively social scene, Super Bowl Sunday revelers know they’ll be digging into bowls, baskets, and platters loaded with tasty food. In the United States, […]

Any winemaker worth his or her salt will readily admit that wine is not made, it’s grown in the vineyard. Dedicated viticulturists agree, and though they’re the ones who tirelessly feed, water, prune, and tie up the vines, they usually credit sun and soil with performing the alchemy that yields fat berries full of wondrous […]

The roast turkey, glistening ham, and juicy prime rib are just a memory, and the holiday pies and frosted cookies have been eaten down to the last crumb. With the new year well underway, many revelers feel the urge to simplify not only their social calendars, but their diets, too, by incorporating lighter fare, along […]

During the sun-drenched days of summer, fans root for their favorite golfers and baseball teams, and when winter rolls around, they pile into football stadiums and basketball arenas, ready to cheer the action. Just as sports have their seasons, so, too, do many wines.     Searing hot days call for crisp white wines that cool […]

Another year rides the bullet train into history, leaving us with a blur of memories steeped in area wines and the fragrance of Santa Maria-style cookery. A look back reveals a landscape of pungent falafels, fresh sushi, cooking competitions, and mail-order barbecue. Personal chefs have gone organic, winemakers embraced unusual varietals, and new wineries continue […]

You’ve bought toys for the kids, sweaters for the in-laws, and shiny cans of car wax for the man who has everything. If you’re still in the dark about what to get for wine-loving friends and relatives this holiday season, consider these timely ideas and vintage delights. Those who are new to the wine world […]

Fresh, tasty bread ranks high among life’s most delightful staples, and Santa Maria residents now can choose from 16 different kinds of handcrafted loaves for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since Nov. 10, when the Panera Bread bakery-café opened in the new College Square complex, the heavenly scents of flour and yeast meeting oven heat have […]

Take one look at the schedule of events on tap at Santa Barbara County wineries, and it’s evident that the region’s vintners take great delight in the holiday season. Offering a diverse lineup of activities, area winemakers clearly intend to jumpstart the season of wonder and merriment. On Friday, Dec. 5, embrace the joy of […]

Once again, the time has come for Central Coast hosts to plan weekday meals and festive feasts in the name of seasonal fun. With the arrival of Thanksgiving Day—the official launch of the holidays—they dust off family recipes and break out their favorite cookbooks in a bid to create both traditional dishes and foods with […]