Bauer Ranch – Profile

Location: Covelo, CA in Mendocino County
Owner: William “Sparky” Bauer
Sparky is a fifth generation, Native American/German cattle rancher.  He runs Angus and Hereford cattle, wintering them up in the mountains and summer pasture in Round Valley (where Covelo is located).  All of his herd is grass-fed and grass-finished.

This Just In: Brookside Farm’s Flavor King pluots

As often as I come across a “perfect” piece of fruit, however, I rarely employ the philosophy of showcasing its perfection by serving it untouched; as Chef Paul Canales says, “the customer is not paying me to shop for them – I’m here to cook!” Only once or twice a year does a fruit come along that I feel is featured best by serving on its own, without setting it in a composed dessert context. That time has come…

It’s Beef Season

UPDATE: See the revised schedule
It is late spring and this is the time to be eating beef. The steers have been eating plentiful amounts of green grass (from our plentiful rains) and several important ranchers have presented us with offers too good to turn down.
First, Mac Magruder’s 8-month-old veal came in a couple of [...]

Magruder Jam

A great visit yesterday to Mac Magruder’s cattle ranch (they raise hogs and lambs too). It is truly a wonderful place. The whole story is coming but we had to get this out right away:…

Agricola: flora et fauna – Profile

Emphasizing sustainable production, Agricola produces specialty tree crops, grass/clover hay and high quality grass fed (and finished) beef. Additionally, the farm facilitates wildlife habitat with native plantings and nest boxes….

Chef Canales Gives a Tour of the Meat Locker

We installed a large meat locker a few years back that finally provided the space for some more ambitious projects such as receiving whole sides of beef, as well as hanging and aging meat….

A Visit From Two Piedmontese Friends

Essential to the Oliveto Wine in Time project is Aldo Vacca, Director of Produttori del Barbaresco. Beginning in 1998, he has helped shape our ideas about wine, introduced us to many other fine producers, found old wine for our list, been a great host and friend, and helped us acquire hours of video tape about the region. On June 25th and 26th, Chef Canales will offer…

Introducing…CLARENCE PEAK

As well as raising beautiful pigeons, Phillip Paine, has also been busy raising a thoroughbred race horse. Clarence Peak won his first race April 23, 2009 at Golden Gate Fields against 25 to 1 odds. The second race of his career is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday May 17th…

From the Field – Spring Lamb

Just this morning Don Watson showed up with four, first of season spring lamb, about 90 days old. We’re hanging them for a few days to help tenderize the meat & plan to have them on the menu starting Saturday night (remote possibility not until Sunday). They’ll be on the menu through Tuesday or Wednesday….

The Economy – The State of Our Food

“Cooking with foods grown by farmers you have met, in nearby places that you have driven past, will give you a sense that your world is one of interconnected parts. You will observe the vitality of the produce in the way it tastes, smells, and feels, and by how long it remains wholesome and appealing [...]