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wine & culinary arts festival
Tomme Johnson A local boy of sorts, Tomme Johnson has been around the streets of some of the countries finest restaurants, his ability to match food to wine has made him a popular chef to watch, he has an uncompromising dedication to quality and sustainability that is fueled by his passion for locally produced goods.
He attended classes at Greystone in Napa Valley, Well traveled, and with 33 years in the business, he has a broad range of styles and is influenced by many cultures. Being of German/Spanish decent meant there was always something braising/roasting or stewing going on in the kitchen, "I don't think I ever saw a steak till I was in my teens. My family had a restaurant in Germany so you can say I was destined for this work, I think I remember around 6 yrs old that I wanted to cook for a living. I've been loving it since!"
Taking over culinary operations in June '07 with Thierry Burkle at The Grill was like coming home, I started in San Antonio with Thierry Burkle at L'Etoile (20 years ago), then when he opened this place in the country I just had to come! There is something very spiritual about this place and its energy, I feel connected to the land here, we have a large garden at a friends property just a few blocks away that we grow specialty produce and herbs and we work with many local farmers, we have a 'hands-on' relationship with them, its very satisfying!
Is the food Mediterranean? Yes in the fact that we incorporate lots of seafood , vegetables, herbs and then grill and bake over local wood, but we (Thierry & I ) love the foods of the world and try to mix it up a little depending on what's available to us...its very rustic, country style, soulful food!
