THE AHWAHNEE ANNOUNCES 2011 SEASON CHEFS’ HOLIDAYS LINEUP
WITH 29 WORLD-CLASS CHEFS FROM ACROSS AMERICA

From Boston to Los Angeles, the 26th annual event celebrates the country’s best
culinary talent in the wintertime splendor of Yosemite National Park

The Ahwahnee, a full-service, AAA Four-Diamond hotel located in Yosemite National Park, Calif.,  announces its 2011 season lineup for the 26th annual Chefs’ Holidays event series.  Celebrating the range of styles, personalities and trends that characterize the American culinary scene in the beautiful natural setting in Yosemite National Park, Chefs’ Holidays brings together 29 prominent American chefs and culinary professionals from Boston to Los Angeles in a wintertime celebration that includes a series of eight sessions from January 9 to February 4, 2011.  For each session of Chefs’ Holidays guests are invited to take part in a “Meet the Chefs” reception, educational cooking demonstrations and tastings, a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour and a five-course Chefs’ Holidays Gala Dinner prepared by the guest chefs and paired with four wines, served by candlelight in The Ahwahnee Dining Room.



“Chefs’ Holidays is a much-anticipated event each year at The Ahwahnee,” said Chance Jorgensen, general manager of The Ahwahnee. “Guests enjoy the magic and comfort of being surrounded by a breathtaking winter wonderland setting and interacting with the country’s best culinary professionals.”
 


“We work hard to bring the best of the best to Chefs’ Holidays each year,” said Program Director and Chief Concierge Kathy Langley.  “Many of our participating chefs are nationally-known for their talent and have been recognized with James Beard Awards. Others you may recognize by their participation in such shows as ‘Iron Chef’ or ‘Top Chef’ and others continually ‘wow’ guests nightly at their restaurants.  This is a chance for people to get up close and personal with some of their favorite chefs in the industry.”
 


Since its inception as a small gathering of top chefs and hotel guests in the winter of 1985, Chefs’ Holidays has become a premier and much-sought-after destination for epicures and culinary professionals alike.


“I look forward to Chefs’ Holidays year after year,” said Chef Jesse Ziff Cool of Flea St Café, who has been part of the event since 1989. “There’s a genuine camaraderie among the guest chefs and the staff in The Ahwahnee kitchen.  The positive energy spills over to everyone involved.  It’s truly rewarding to give participants a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what really happens in the professional culinary world.  For all of us it is a magical opportunity and pleasure to step out of our restaurants for a few days and into one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world.  We all feel honored to take part in this extraordinary culinary celebration.”
 


The 2011 lineup is as follows:
 


Session 1: January 9-11 (Sunday – Tuesday) ~ “Chefs of Pat Kuleto Restaurants”

Moderator: Pamela Wischkaemper, Culinary Consultant

A collaborative dinner featuring one course from each chef:

Host Chef: Percy Whatley—The Ahwahnee

Guest Chef: Mark Franz & Emily Luchetti (pastry)—Farallon, San Francisco, CA

Guest Chef: Parke Ulriche—Waterbar, San Francisco, CA

Guest Chef: Adam Mali*—Nick’s Cove, Point Reyes, CA
 


Session 2: January 13-14 (Wednesday – Thursday)

Moderator: Pamela Wischkaemper, Culinary Consultant

Headliner: Michael Tusk*—Quince, San Francisco, CA            

Demonstrator: Colin Ambrose—Estia’s Little Kitchen, Sag Harbor, NY

Demonstrator: Jesse Ziff Cool—Flea Street Café, Menlo Park, CA
 


Session 3: January 16-18 (Sunday – Tuesday)

Moderator: Izabela Wojcik, Director of House Programming, James Beard Foundation

Headliner: Michael Cimarusti* —Providence, Los Angeles, CA

Demonstrator: Ariane Duarte—CulinAriane, Montclair, NJ

Demonstrator: Scott Youkilis—Maverick/Hog & Rocks, San Francisco, CA
 


Session 4: January 19-20 (Wednesday – Friday) ~ “Culinarians from the San Francisco Ferry Building”

Moderator: Izabela Wojcik, Director of House Programming, James Beard Foundation

Headliner: Traci Des Jardins—Jardinière & Mijita

Demonstrator:Peg Smith & Sue Conley—Cowgirl Creamery/Sidekick

Demonstrator: Michael Recchiuti—Recchiuti Chocolates
 


Session 5: January 23-25 (Sunday – Tuesday) 

Moderator: TBA

Headliner: Tony DiSalvo —Whist, Los Angeles, CA

Demonstrators: Douglas Keane—Cyrus, Healdsburg, CA

Demonstrator: Annie Somerville—Greens, S.F. CA
 


Session 6: January 26-27 (Wednesday – Thursday) ~ “Taste of LA”

Moderator: TBA

A collaborative dinner featuring one course from each chef:
Host Chef: Percy Whatley—The Ahwahnee

Guest Chef: Neal Fraser—Grace, Los Angeles, CA

Guest Chef: Suzanne Goin—Lucques, Los Angeles, CA

Guest Chef: David Lentz*—The Hungry Cat, Los Angeles & Santa Barbara, CA

Host Chef: Paul Padua—The Ahwahnee (pastry)
 


Session 7: January 30-February 1 (Sunday – Tuesday)

Moderator: Andrew Friedman, Author
Headliner: Barbara Lynch*—No. 9 Park, Boston, MA

Demonstrator: Jerry Traunfeld—Poppy, Seattle, WA

Demonstrator: Elizabeth Falkner—Citizen Cake & Orson, San Francisco, CA
 


Session 8: February 2-3 (Wednesday – Thursday) 

Moderator: Andrew Friedman, Author

Headliners: Duskie Estes & John Stewart—Zazu/Bovolo/Black Pig Meat Co, Healdsburg, CA

Demonstrator: Brandon Miller—Mundaka, Carmel, CA

Demonstrator: Andrew Kirschner*—Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA



*Indicates new chef this year.
 


Special two- and three-night packages for Chefs’ Holidays are available at The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, which includes lodging for two and admission for two to the following: three culinary demonstrations, private “Meet the Chefs” reception, behind the scenes kitchen tour, and five-course Chefs’ Holidays Gala Dinner with wines to complement in The Ahwahnee Dining Room.  The following rates are based on double occupancy, subject to change, and do not include room taxes.  Individual tickets for the Gala Dinner are available for $269 per person, including tax and gratuity.


Two-night Packages and  Three-night Packages from:
THE AHWAHNEE
  $995       $1,245
YOSEMITE LODGE AT THE FALLS
  $695      $792

For more information on Yosemite Chefs’ Holidays at The Ahwahnee or to make reservations, call 801-559-4903 or visit online at www.YosemitePark.com/Chefs.  

The Ahwahnee is a full-service, AAA Four-Diamond hotel located in scenic Yosemite Valley, which is home to stunning natural beauty, bountiful activities and historic charm. The Ahwahnee is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and has been accepted as a member of Historic Hotels of America, a program that recognizes hotel properties for preserving and maintaining their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodge at the Falls are operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, an affiliate of Delaware North Companies and the authorized National Park Service concessioner overseeing lodging, dining, guest recreation activities and transportation services in Yosemite.