Forks. Corks. Action! 2014 Series Kicks Off at Hyatt Carmel Highlands

Winemakers Dinner with Steve McIntyre, The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG),2013 Grower of the Year

Forks. Corks. Action! 2014 Includes Wine Maker Series, Meet the Farmer Lunch Series, A Taste Of… and Hello Sunshine Thursdays

CARMEL, CA — An experience for all the senses, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Pacific’s Edge Restaurant pairs unmatched views of Carmel and the famed Big Sur coastline with spectacular “California Coastal” cuisine prepared with the freshest locally sourced ingredients.   At Hyatt, we believe in Food Thoughtfully Sourced.  Carefully Served.  Hyatt is proudly offering food options that are good for Hyatt guests, good for the community and good for the planet.  Food from natural, local and sustainable sources.  “We are always striving to honor the individual requests of our guests,” said Steve McNally, General Manager of Hyatt Carmel Highlands.  “That’s why our menus feature plentiful, healthful options alongside our more indulgent ones.  And our children’s menus encourage them to eat well and be well with right-sized options.  So no matter what our guests order, a great deal of thought and care has gone into each dish.  Our guests deserve nothing less.”

cq5dam.thumbnail.250.140.png.pagespeed.ce.GHuJbHJa8UCelebrate 2014 with Pacific’s Edge Winemaker Series in the legendary Wine Room!

Learn, Swirl, Sip and Enjoy!  Meet the Winemakers and enjoy a four course dinner with wine paired to each course.  During the series, winemakers will discuss the history, culture and qualities  of Monterey and Santa Cruz County featured wines which will accompany Executive Chef Matt Bolton’s seasonal menus.  The Winemakers Series brings guests closer to the producers and personalities that craft the wine we love.

There will be 4 Winemakers Dinners in 2014.
·                  January 16th McIntyre Vineyards
·                  March 20th Morgan Vineyards
·                  June 19th Talbott Vineyards
·                  November 13th Mount Eden

The winemakers events will cost $95 inclusive

Save the date For The First Winemakers Dinner of the Year at Pacific’s Edge
“It is hard to imagine a more prestigious or beautiful place to hold a winemaker dinner in Monterey. Between the food, the view and the wine the evening should be spectacular!” said Steve McIntyre.

Where:                 Pacific’s Edge  Wine Room located at 120 Highlands Drive in Carmel By The Sea
Date:                     Thursday, January 16, 2014
Time:                     6:00 p.m.
Cost:                      $95 per person inclusive
Reservations Required: (831) 622-5445

Sip:         Featured Wines McIntyre Wines including special hand selected wines by Steve McIntyre from the 2009 and 2010 block.  Steve will even bring a mystery wine to surprise the attendees

Meet:     The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) 2013 Grower of the Year award to Steve McIntyre

McIntyre Wines:
In Steve McIntyre’s analogy of the wine business, his position is similar to that of an artist. He fervently believes that the bottle of wine is basically a cumulative experience, consisting of a number of different components. He includes growing and processing as the most important rudiments in his equation and also, several lesser elements. In his scenario, someone must mesh all the parts together in much the same fashion that an artist blends together his oils and canvas. In McIntrye’s opinion, the Winemaker occupies such a position in the wine industry.

Steve McIntyre also holds the distinction of being one of a tiny number of Scots that have a stake in California’s wine industry. The fact that he is in the minority doesn’t bother him a bit. “I genuinely love growing grapes and making wine,” he commented. “I’ve always felt that selling it is the necessary evil.”

An Evening with Steve McIntyre and the wines of McIntyre

Pacific’s Edge
Wine Room
Thursday, January 16, 2014

∙Hors d’oeuvre∙
Dungeness Crab
persimmon, meyer lemon

Gougere
parmigiano reggiano

McIntyre L’homme Qui Ris

∙First Course∙
Wild Sea Bass
celery root, hazelnut, butternut squash, truffle jus

2012 McIntyre Estate Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands

∙Second Course∙
Kurabuta Pork
parsnip, chanterelle, cracklins, thyme jus

2006 McIntyre Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands

∙Entrée∙
Sonoma Duck
alder smoked, porcini, wheat berries, huckleberry jus

2012 McIntyre Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands

∙Fromage∙
Boucheron, Istara, Old Amsterdam
housemade pecan fig bread, honeycomb, seckle pear

2012 McIntyre Estate Block K-1 Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands

∙Mignardises∙

$95 Inclusive

Executive Chef- Matt Bolton
Pastry Chef- Gina Hudson
Wine Director- Paul Fried
Restaurant Manager- Jacques Melac

Save the date for Forks. Corks. Action! Events Throughout 2014
Learn, Feast and Enjoy at the “Meet the Farmer” Lunch Series
Meet the farmer, learn about key local ingredients from the actual growers and learn how to prepare a dish by Chef Matt Bolton.  Sip a glass of wine, take in the view and savor a three course lunch!  This farm to fork experience is sure to take attendees on a culinary excursion.

Chef Matt believes in cooking local by using fresh seasonal ingredients from Monterey County’s best artisan farmers and purveyors.  Do you know where your food comes from? Hyatt Carmel Highlands invite you to meet our farmers, enjoy wine and a three course lunch.

There will be 4 Meet the Farmer lunches in 2014.
·                  February 15th, Meet the Abalone Farmers – Monterey Bay Abalone
·                  April 5th, Meet the Cheese Farmer – Schoch Family Farms
·                  July 12th, Meet The Vegetable Farmer – Swank Farms
·                  October 11th, Meet the Forager
The cost is $55 inclusive per lunch.

New for 2014:  In October there will be one excursion to a farmer’s ranch for a farm to field dinner.  The farm to field excursion will include a family style meal at the farm, opportunity to meet the farmer and enjoy the bounty created by Chef Matt.  Stay tuned for details!

A Taste of ….
·         April 16th – A Taste of…  Rye:  Features Rye based liquors.  Include a flight with tasting notes and cocktail recipe suggestions.
·         July 18th – A Taste of…  The Agave Session:  Features an Agave sweetened Margarita for spring.  There is a heritage and culture associated with Tequila and Mezcal that dates back well over a thousand years, when the agave plant – also known as the maguey – was utilized by Mexico’s native peoples for virtually everything: from food and drink to sugar, shoes, soap, building supplies, and even medicine.  Join us for an exciting tasting of this exotic elixir, each by artisan producers, as we pay homage to the heritage, history and culture of Mexico’s national spirit.  It is also likely that agave-based libations will be consumed.
·         October 15th – A Taste of…  Mint Moment!:  Enjoy conversation and cocktails over one of summer’s most popular herbs: Mint!  Start off with a crisp Mojito and savor appetizers featuring mint.
·         December 17th – A Taste of…  The Many Faces of Cognac, Armanac and Brandy:  Features flights of cognac and a discussion on the flavors and types.
Cost:  $35 inclusive including small bites.

Hello Sunshine Thursdays
Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers the ideal setting to unwind from the week and celebrate the longer sunshine-filled hours. Gorgeous Pacific sunsets await you with special pricing on an inviting menu of handcrafted cocktails and sharable tapas dishes.

From 5p.m. until 7p.m. every Thursday from June through October, enjoy specially priced “Hello Sunshine” handcrafted cocktails. The talented mixologists of Hyatt Carmel Highlands will also introduce a new cocktail each month to the lineup of drinks offered in Sunset Lounge, crafted specifically for the series.  In addition, guests can feast on an enticing array of intriguing small plates with a complimentary appetizer offered with the purchase of any two cocktails. The celebrations continue with live music beginning at 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Forks. Corks. Action! 2014 Charity Partner:
A portion of the proceeds from every Forks. Corks. Action! 2014 event will benefit MEarth. MEarth is an environmental education nonprofit with roots in Carmel Valley, California, that is growing the next generation of environmental leaders through education, collaboration, partnerships and community action.  The organization educates and inspires through environmental stewardship.  For more information go to www.MEarthCarmel.org .

Hyatt Carmel Highlands Culinary Team
Hyatt Carmel Highlands is fortunate to have a culinary team as passionate about their work as they are experienced and professionally trained.  Each team member brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.  The culinary team represents decades of experience with an unsurpassed love of food, dining and the pleasures of the table.  From developing innovative menus to overseeing a large staff of dedicated professionals, these highly trained and exceptionally skilled culinary artisans bring taste and style to every meal served.

The culinary team includes:
• Pastry Chef Gina Hudson
• Wine Director Paul Fried
• Executive Chef Matt Bolton
• Manager of Outlets Jacques Melac

For more information, visit www.hyattcarmelhighlands.com or call (831) 620-1234.

About Hyatt Carmel Highlands Overlooking Big Sur Coast
Perched on the hillside of the Carmel Highlands with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Overlooking Big Sur Coast combines true Carmel luxury with an approachable and sophisticated spirit.  A haven for artists and discerning travelers since its opening in 1917, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Overlooking Big Sur Coast features 48 luxuriously renovated guestrooms, including 11 suites, 32 Ocean View rooms and five Garden View rooms.  In addition, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Overlooking Big Sur Coast offers spectacular dining at the award-winning Pacific’s Edge restaurant and California Market, 4,800 square feet of meeting space, in-room spa services, heated outdoor swimming pool, three spa tubs and a fitness facility.  Situated only four miles from downtown Carmel, Hyatt Carmel Highlands Overlooking Big Sur Coast’s idyllic setting and personalized service has attracted families, weddings, honeymooners and privileged travelers for nearly a century.  Hyatt Carmel Highlands Overlooking Big Sur Coast is recognized among the world’s finest hotels as part of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2010 Gold List and Travel + Leisure’s 2009 “T+L 500” World’s Best Hotels. http://www.hyattcarmelhighlands.com