01/14 JIM FIOLEK, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VINTNER'S ASSOCIATION, CHEF KEN FRANK LA TOQUE, WESTIN VERSA NAPA

JIM FIOLEK - SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VINTNER'S ASSOC.

 The Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1983 to support and promote Santa Barbara County as a premium wine producing and wine grape growing region. The Association includes winery members whose annual production is at least 75% Santa Barbara County labeled, as well as grower/vineyard members and business associations. The Vintners’ Association produces festivals, seminars and tastings and provides information to consumers and the wine and travel media.


CHEF KEN FRANK  LA TOQUE - WESTIN VERSA NAPA

Acclaimed Chef Ken Frank is entirely self-taught and brings a personalized touch to his contemporary French cuisine at the Michelin-starred La Toque restaurant, located in The Westin Verasa Napa. 

Frank’s love of French cooking began when his family moved from California to Yvoire, France. After a few years in France, he returned to California and refined his skills at a number of restaurants, first achieving national acclaim at La Guillotine in Los Angeles. Frank next went on to serve as the opening chef at Michael’s in Santa Monica. In 1979, the 23-year-old chef opened the first La Toque on the Sunset Strip, but after 14 years, Frank sold the restaurant and in 1995 opened the award-winning Fenix at the Argyle.

In 1998, the second incarnation of La Toque made its debut in Rutherford, California in the heart of Wine Country. The restaurant was soon established as Napa Valley’s most sought after dining destination, and La Toque was awarded a Michelin Star in 2007.

In September 2008, Frank moved the restaurant to The Westin Verasa Napa where it has continued to be well-received by the nation’s top critics and reviewers.  In 2008, La Toque earned a three-star review from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Michael Bauer and in October 2009 was honored again with a Michelin Star, which it retains to this day.  Most recently La Toque was named oneof America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2012” in Wine Enthusiast Magazine.