& Entertainment Show!
Joel M. Fisher, PhD is the wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the
Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of
Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for
the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and
is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts
programs throughout Southern California. Sommelier for the Escoffier
Association of Southern California, Joel is also a member of Patterson
Magazine's tasting panel. Dr. Fisher is a member of the Society of Wine
Educators, The Circle of Wine Writers (UK) and was awarded a Wine Enthusiast
Media Scholarship for 2005 at the Culinary Institute of America. He is the
author of the Wine Work Book now in its 6th edition. Joel is President of the
LA WINEFEST.
Chef Craig Strong joined
Montage Laguna Beach as Executive Chef of Studio in June 2009. Chef Strong,
known for his modern French cuisine with California influences, developed a
love for cooking at an early age. One of eight children growing up in San
Diego, he was inspired by his mother and grandmother to first experiment with
tomatoes and zucchini grown in the family's vegetable garden that was his to
manage. From 1990 to 1994, Chef Strong held numerous culinary positions,
including Saucier at La Caille in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah; the Capitol
Club at Hyatt Regency, Washington, D.C.; Sous Chef at the fine dining
Glitretind Restaurant at Stein Erikson Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah; First
Assistant to Chef at the Adams Mark Hotel in Philadelphia, and then at The
Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, where he honed classic techniques with Asian
influences. In 1995, he moved to Atlanta to work at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead,
as Garde Manger with Chef Guenter Seeger and then as Saucier and Tournant with
Chef Joel Antunes, whose classically trained French background added yet
another international dimension to Strong's style. Chef Strong then moved to
Europe as Sous Chef for The Newport Room at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona, the
fine dining restaurant in a property managed by Ritz-Carlton. Working in Spain
added another facet to Chef Strong's cooking. The emphasis on olive oil, fresh
seafood and the Mediterranean climate, similar to that of Southern California,
led Chef Strong to embrace the bold flavors and rustic style of Spanish
cuisine, adding the refinement of French techniques. The concept and
overall experience of Studio is dedicated to highlighting the best this idyllic
location has to offer—pristine ingredients from local purveyors, unsurpassed
views of the Pacific Ocean and an elegantly comfortable approach to the dining
experience. Studio has most recently been recognized with Three Stars from Los
Angeles Times, Five Stars from Mobil Travel Guide, Robb Report as one of 'America's
Finest Dining Restaurants,' and Food & Wine magazine's 'Top 50 Hotel
Restaurants'. Studio has also earned the 'Best of Award of Excellence' from
Wine Spectator and is rated one of Zagat Survey's 'America's Top Restaurants'
DON FENWICK - "CRUISE WORKS"
Beginning in 1984 with a
MagicCruise to Alaska, Don and Marky
Fenwick have been producing "common
interest", or themed cruises for over 25 years. Utilizing their
skills as entertainers and organizers, the Fenwicks produce four or five
various cruise/conventions each year, including a StampCruise (with the
American Philatelic Society), MiniCruise (for miniaturists), and Murder
Mystery. Neither Don nor Marky started out to become cruise organizers.
Both were actors, meeting in a Broadway show, Lost in the Stars, in 1972.
"Both of us were actors for most of our adult lives, and managed somehow
to make a living at it." They left New York in 1973 and still reside
on the West Coast. Both have worked in film and television with recurring
and guest roles in various television series
Carlo Ferrini, universally acknowledged as
one of the best winemakers in the world, including 2008 Best “Winemaker of the
World” by Wine Enthusiast, will be in LA for VIVA VINO LA week appearing at two
exclusive events. The first is an exclusive “Conversation with the Winemaker”
seminar where he will discuss his new project: Domodimonti in
Marche. The second is a special Domodimonti Wine Dinner at Ado
Restaurant with dishes prepared by Italian Master Chef Antonio Mure’ on May 15.
Carlo Ferrini is a world famous enologist and one of Italy’s foremost winery
consultants. His degree from the University of Florence with his
published thesis in microbiology of alcoholic fermentation provides the
education to his marvelous palate. He operates his business mainly
in his native Tuscany, where he is a consultant winemaker to some of the most
prestigious Tuscan wineries, and consults in the locales of Trentino, Friuli,
Abruzzo, Sicily and Marche.
Sante Losio is a matchless communicator on the vast subject of wine. His
communication talents, enthusiasm and above all his knowledge all provide an
incomparable dimension to the discovery of wine. In daily contact with the
professionals - wine makers, oenologists, sommeliers, tasters, journalists,
consumers, restaurant owners, cellar masters, and the wine lovers. Sante
remains at the leading edge of the wine world. Sante is an Italian wine expert
with an entrepreneurial spirits and 25+ years wine industry experience,
including sales roles in all 3 tiers of the U.S. wine industry and managing
foreign supplier relations. My profession of sommelier, which remains a source
of constant pleasure, leads me to discover new possibilities, new affinities
and new associations each and every day, enriching my experience. I hope we
will be sharing a time of warmth, friendship and discovery around a glass of bio dynamic wine soon!
DR. JOEL FISHER - "LA
WINEFEST"
Joel M. Fisher, PhD is the wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the
Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of
Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for
the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and
is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts
programs throughout Southern California. Sommelier for the Escoffier
Association of Southern California, Joel is also a member of Patterson
Magazine's tasting panel. Dr. Fisher is a member of the Society of Wine
Educators, The Circle of Wine Writers (UK) and was awarded a Wine Enthusiast
Media Scholarship for 2005 at the Culinary Institute of America. He is the
author of the Wine Work Book now in its 6th edition. Joel is President of the
LA WINEFEST.
Executive Chef Craig Strong -
Montage Laguna Beach Hotel
Chef Craig Strong joined
Montage Laguna Beach as Executive Chef of Studio in June 2009. Chef Strong,
known for his modern French cuisine with California influences, developed a
love for cooking at an early age. One of eight children growing up in San
Diego, he was inspired by his mother and grandmother to first experiment with
tomatoes and zucchini grown in the family's vegetable garden that was his to
manage. From 1990 to 1994, Chef Strong held numerous culinary positions,
including Saucier at La Caille in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah; the Capitol
Club at Hyatt Regency, Washington, D.C.; Sous Chef at the fine dining
Glitretind Restaurant at Stein Erikson Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah; First
Assistant to Chef at the Adams Mark Hotel in Philadelphia, and then at The
Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia, where he honed classic techniques with Asian
influences. In 1995, he moved to Atlanta to work at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead,
as Garde Manger with Chef Guenter Seeger and then as Saucier and Tournant with
Chef Joel Antunes, whose classically trained French background added yet
another international dimension to Strong's style. Chef Strong then moved to
Europe as Sous Chef for The Newport Room at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona, the
fine dining restaurant in a property managed by Ritz-Carlton. Working in Spain
added another facet to Chef Strong's cooking. The emphasis on olive oil, fresh
seafood and the Mediterranean climate, similar to that of Southern California,
led Chef Strong to embrace the bold flavors and rustic style of Spanish
cuisine, adding the refinement of French techniques. The concept and
overall experience of Studio is dedicated to highlighting the best this idyllic
location has to offer—pristine ingredients from local purveyors, unsurpassed
views of the Pacific Ocean and an elegantly comfortable approach to the dining
experience. Studio has most recently been recognized with Three Stars from Los
Angeles Times, Five Stars from Mobil Travel Guide, Robb Report as one of 'America's
Finest Dining Restaurants,' and Food & Wine magazine's 'Top 50 Hotel
Restaurants'. Studio has also earned the 'Best of Award of Excellence' from
Wine Spectator and is rated one of Zagat Survey's 'America's Top Restaurants'DON FENWICK - "CRUISE WORKS"
Beginning in 1984 with a
MagicCruise to Alaska, Don and Marky
Fenwick have been producing "common
interest", or themed cruises for over 25 years. Utilizing their
skills as entertainers and organizers, the Fenwicks produce four or five
various cruise/conventions each year, including a StampCruise (with the
American Philatelic Society), MiniCruise (for miniaturists), and Murder
Mystery. Neither Don nor Marky started out to become cruise organizers.
Both were actors, meeting in a Broadway show, Lost in the Stars, in 1972.
"Both of us were actors for most of our adult lives, and managed somehow
to make a living at it." They left New York in 1973 and still reside
on the West Coast. Both have worked in film and television with recurring
and guest roles in various television series
Carlo
Ferrini - "Best Winemaker in the World" VIVA VINO LA
Carlo Ferrini, universally acknowledged as
one of the best winemakers in the world, including 2008 Best “Winemaker of the
World” by Wine Enthusiast, will be in LA for VIVA VINO LA week appearing at two
exclusive events. The first is an exclusive “Conversation with the Winemaker”
seminar where he will discuss his new project: Domodimonti in
Marche. The second is a special Domodimonti Wine Dinner at Ado
Restaurant with dishes prepared by Italian Master Chef Antonio Mure’ on May 15.
Carlo Ferrini is a world famous enologist and one of Italy’s foremost winery
consultants. His degree from the University of Florence with his
published thesis in microbiology of alcoholic fermentation provides the
education to his marvelous palate. He operates his business mainly
in his native Tuscany, where he is a consultant winemaker to some of the most
prestigious Tuscan wineries, and consults in the locales of Trentino, Friuli,
Abruzzo, Sicily and Marche.
SANTE LOSIO - SOMMELIER
Sante Losio is a matchless communicator on the vast subject of wine. His
communication talents, enthusiasm and above all his knowledge all provide an
incomparable dimension to the discovery of wine. In daily contact with the
professionals - wine makers, oenologists, sommeliers, tasters, journalists,
consumers, restaurant owners, cellar masters, and the wine lovers. Sante
remains at the leading edge of the wine world. Sante is an Italian wine expert
with an entrepreneurial spirits and 25+ years wine industry experience,
including sales roles in all 3 tiers of the U.S. wine industry and managing
foreign supplier relations. My profession of sommelier, which remains a source
of constant pleasure, leads me to discover new possibilities, new affinities
and new associations each and every day, enriching my experience. I hope we
will be sharing a time of warmth, friendship and discovery around a glass of bio dynamic wine soon!