Chef’s Notes: Farm to Fork, Treats, Tahoe Central Market, Carolines

FARM-TO-FORK DINNERS

Our region is going to offer more farm-to-table dinners this summer. The third annual Nevada City farm-to-table banquet is August 16. It is downtown on Commercial Street, which has become a foodie paradise, thanks to the Nevada City Farmers Market, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co. and now Wheyward Girl Creamery.

At Lake Tahoe, Homewood Mountain Resort is offering Farm to Peak dinners on August 15 and September 6. Bierwagen’s in Chicago Park plans “Branches & Blessings” farm dinners on July 25 and August 29. Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork celebration is September 10-27, including a gala dinner with local food, wine and beer.

TREATS’ ICE CREAM PICNIC

Treats of Nevada City, an artisan ice cream maker in the historic downtown, makes it possible to bring fresh ice cream on a picnic to the South Yuba River. “The possibilities are endless with our new reusable insulated pint containers,” says Treats owner Peggy Wright. “Take your favorite flavor ice cream on a picnic to the river, the lake, or camping, hiking, cycling and to a friend’s house.” The reusable containers keep ice cream cold for at least 90 minutes.

TAHOE’S GOURMAND GROCERS

A new market and deli has opened on Lake Tahoe’s West Shore at Sunnyside. The West Shore Market & Deli offers home-made sandwiches, salads, fresh bread and pastries, in-house smoked and cured meats and artisan cheeses, a juice bar, gelato, craft beer and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar. It also offers fresh fish and meat for grilling.

Around Tahoe, we also enjoy the Tahoe Central Market in Kings Beach, offering fresh, local organic produce and dairy, along with a gourmet deli, fresh meat and fish, juice bar, an exceptional selection of beer and wine and more. Others include Obexer’s General Store, a dockside grocery store and deli in Homewood, and Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet in Tahoe City.

CAROLINES COFFEE AT SAFEWAY

More grocery chains are embracing local products. Carolines Coffee Roasters’ coffee now is sold at the Safeway Store in Grass Valley’s Brunswick Basin. Carolines also is sold at SPD Markets in Grass Valley and Nevada City, and Ikedas in Auburn, among other places. Carolines’ store in historic Grass Valley has been freshly remodeled.

(Photo: Randall Benton/Sacramento Bee/ZUMAPRESS.com)