Cakes Unleashed!!

BEST TASTE EVER

The April 10th Taste of Plumas won countless rave reviews as "The Best Ever" in it's four-year history. Restaurants, caterers and culinary establishments out-did themselves and the wine selection was superb. The whole evening long was filled with happy faces and compliments.

This is a particularly important fact since Taste of Plumas is one of the primary fundraisers for Plumas Arts and "we work very hard to keep the FUN in FUNdraising, especially these days," comments Roxanne Valladao, Plumas Arts Director. Plumas Arts is particularly grateful to all of the culinary establishments that participated in the Taste of Plumas and as well as the merchants, artists and individuals who donated many wonderful items to the auction. And of course, it all would not have worked without the 250+ attendees to this sold-out who graced Plumas Arts by supporting this vibrant cultural organization with their ticket purchases and generous donations.

Photo By Kim James Photography

The Taste of Plumas brings chefs, owners and servers out of the kitchen and puts them center stage giving these culinary artists a chance to shine in front of an admiring public. Plumas Arts is grateful and proud of our 2010 Taste of Plumas participants from… the Almanor Basin: Bella Luna Catering, Carol's Café & Catering, Gamboni's Peninsula Grill; East County: Lena's Cantina, Longboards Bar & Grill, Mt Tomba Inn, Whitehawk Lodge Restaurant; Indian Valley: Cakes Unleashed, Evergreen Market and Quincy: Alley Cat Café, American Valley Baking, Café Le Coq, Champion's, The Drunk Brush, Greenhorn Guest Ranch, Morning Thunder Café, Pangaea Café & Pub, Quincy Natural Foods, Southern Accent, Sweet Lorraine's and the Feather River College Culinary Arts Program. The event also hosted Lassen Peak Winery, Mt Tehama Winery Regal Wines, Southern Wines & Spirits and Steele Wines.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

The People's Choice Awards give a chance for the consumers to be the critics, but this was no pleasant task. Competition was fierce this year because everything was just so wonderful. Several ballots that were turned in noted that it was just impossible to choose. Add to this the fact that all restaurants received votes and the margins between votes were seldom very large. Plus we all know that all the presenters and the participants were all winners no matter how the voting turns out.

The Strawberry Balsamic Shortcake with Triple Cream presented by the Alley Cat Café was the big winner for Favorite Dessert. It was also considered a favorite as a "sweet" pairing with the Fair Trade Organic Coffee. Longboards Bar & Grill won the Favorite Pairing for the third year in a row combining a Banh Mi Vietnamese Sandwich with their 2006 Longboards Label Monterey County Petite Sirah.

Carol's Cafe & Catering's Seared Shrimp with Roasted Red Pepper Salad & Parmesan Polenta was the Favorite Appetizer. The Fresh Grilled Corn Stuffed Peppers by Bella Luna Creative Catering and Fancy Tasty Sushi by Pangaea also making strong showings.

Our discerning crowd considered presentation both in terms of overall display and for the plating of the food. Cakes Unleashed's cake art was an over all display favorite with the FRC Culinary Programs Pile of Puff also getting notice. Carols Café & Catering and Gamboni's Peninsula Grill split the Favorite Presentation category with the most votes.

Café Le Coq was the Favorite Entrée with Patric's hand made charcuterie featuring Paté, Wild Duck Proscuitto and Elk Sausage. Best of Show went to Gamboni's Peninsula Grill for the Hamachi Salad of fine chopped Asian slaw with yellow tail and cooked scallop.

Many people were turned away for ticket sales in the days before this Sold Out event. Make sure that you get in the room next year by purchasing tickets well in advance. Mark your calendars now for the 2011 Taste of Plumas on Saturday April 9th.