Dick S. wrote: >His wife Chantal is very nice, too. I haven't eaten at his >restaurant, but have enjoyed visiting with both at the Yosemite >Chefs' Holidays in January. > Tell us about these. I have heard them advertised on the radio. > How does it work? What does it cost? What do you get? > Was it worth it? > > Anyone besides Dick been to this? I went for the first time this year. The Ahwahnee is very nice, although I'm not too impressed with their kitchen, even with the help of the fabulous guest chefs. The cooking demonstrations are free and open to the public, so you don't have to sign up for the $625/couple package to go. Demonstrations include modest tastings. Most all the instructors for the entire period (I think it runs 4-5 weeks) are really impressive. You get recipes in the demos, plus a cookbook with recipes from the banquets if you buy the package. Package includes 3 nights at the Ahwahnee (you can also get accomodations -- less expensive, no doubt -- at the Yosemite Lodge), 1 "meet the chefs" reception, cookbook, and 1 banquet dinner prepared by some or all of the demonstrating chefs of the previous 2 days. One thing we did, which definitely was worth it, was to drive down to Erna's Elderberry House for dinner one night. It's south of the southern entrance to Yosemite, about a 1-1/2 hour drive from the Ahwahnee, in Oakhurst. It's a prix fixe, set menu, but they'll make accomodations for just about any dietary preferences (or even a lower cost for fewer courses) that you request, even if you don't ask in advance. Wonderful food, beautiful dining room, very nice wine list, the utmost in cordial and friendly service -- generally a fabulous time for, I think, $58pp. You can also stay in their inn, but it's quite expensive (about $300-400+/night) -- it's supposed to be gorgeous, with the same great attention to your every need and desire. Other than that night, we mostly ate at the cafe at Yosemite Lodge, which isn't great, but is much less expensive than the Ahwahnee. Yosemite is gorgeous in the winter -- can be snowy or not. We had a little snow on the ground, and sunny days for hiking off all the meals and tastings. I recommend it for a nice winter getaway.
California