In the culinary world, you know you’ve made it when you no longer need a last name. Such is the case with Chef Brooke, aka Brooke Stockwell, who is one of the region’s fastest rising stars. Starting her career as a private chef, Chef Brooke moved on to stints as executive chef at Terravant Wine […]
REBECCA ROSE
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Get seedy at Dunes Center book club
The Dunes Center has a book club that meets once every six weeks. Their current selection is Triumph of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses & Pips Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History by Thor Hanson (pictured). The book club will meet on Sunday, June 25, at 2 p.m. to discuss the selection. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Celebrate 30 years of dance in Santa Ynez
The Santa Ynez Valley Performing Arts Company, under the direction of Christine Fossemalle, presents its 30th anniversary celebration featuring a public performance of “An Invitation to Dance” at the Santa Ynez Valley High School Little Theatre, June 22 through 24. The show will be the farewell performance for 2017 graduates including Victoria Arias, Isabella DeLeon, […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Local students can participate in free ‘Youth Arts Alive’ classes
Students looking to get involved in arts have a chance to sign up for free classes in Santa Maria. Youth Arts Alive is offering free one-hour classes in music, dance, theater, and visual art for ages 12 to 17 (seventh to 12th grade) at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. The classes take place on […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Exploring the pinot noirs–and other wines–Foxen Vineyard and Winery is famous for
Not to brag, but one of the great things about writing on our region’s food and wines is it is literally my job to spend time eating and drinking. It’s hard to complain, especially when that means getting to spend some time at a place like Santa Maria’s own Foxen Vineyard and Winery. Among the […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Neil Goodman’s bold sculptures featured at the Elverhøj in Solvang
A shadow becomes a line. A line becomes a curve. A curve stops and breaks into a sharp edge. Thus begin the many facets of the sculptural work of Neil Goodman. A new exhibit titled Looking West at the Elverhøj Museum of History and Art in Solvang offers viewers a chance to visit with some […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
On very good manners
Rebecca helpfully explains basic table manners for your next dinner party
I’m aghast! It’s 2017 and we’re still all running around like complete savages. As a professional food and wine writer, I am shocked at the poor table manners I witness on a daily basis. It’s a travesty and I’m here to save America. Understanding the finer nuances of proper manners at the dinner table is […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Thai-licious: Try something new at Thai Hut in Orcutt
Aside from my native Southern food, there is no better comfort food in the world than Thai. Whether it’s platefuls of pad thai smelling of freshly squeezed lime and lightly toasted peanuts or big pots of tom kha gai, there is something inherently warm and inviting about the region’s cuisine. And Thai Hut in Orcutt […]
Posted inNews
Valley of the Arabians: Santa Ynez is home to some of the world’s most famous horses
Take a turn off Highway 154, into the many side roads that wind through the Santa Ynez Valley, and you’ll know instantly why it’s known in horse raising circles as the “Valley of the Arabian horse.” Dozens of horse farms fill the rolling hills that crawl out from the highway. The region has attracted horse […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The Hitching Post Casmalia celebrates 65 years of tradition
When Bill Ostini returned after time away from the family and asked his father for a job, the restaurateur had one request of his son. “Dad gave me a steak, said, ‘Cook it medium rare,’” Bill said. So he put the meat on the grill at The Hitching Post in Casmalia and seared it off. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society presents a history of women’s shoes
If you’ve ever looked a pair of women’s shoes and thought, “How could anyone wear that?” you’ve likely never seen the footwear women had hundreds of years ago. Thanks to the Costume Council at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, visitors can get a look at the evolution of shoes from around the world. Kathleen […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Culinary rube
Rebecca explores the terrifying time she first learned to cook
I may be a food and wine writer now, but I wasn’t born with any kind of dignified understanding of food or even the basic understanding of how to prepare food on my own. I went through my 20s living off leftover pizza and whatever hangover food Denny’s offered on Saturday mornings. But part of […]