This February marked the first Annual Food & Wine Magazine weekend at The Culinary Institute of America’s Copia location. I had the pleasure of attending a few weekend festivities and could not have had more fun! Not only was it an excuse to return back to the CIA at Copia, which I adore, and visited during their grand opening weekend, see Copia opening weekend coverage here. I was able to hang out and mingle with Food & Wine Editors such as the amazing Ray Isle and Mary Frances Heck. For a girl that has been reading Food & Wine Magazine for almost 20 years this was truly a weekend to remember.
Arriving to the Culinary Institute of America Copia in style with this incredible Lexus LS 500 F Sport. Thanks to Lexus for partnering on this weekend getaway to Napa and sharing this amazing luxury vehicle with me.
So excited to enjoy this morning with the CIA and The Food & Wine magazine team.
Guests being welcomed by Food & Wine Magazine Senior Food Editor, Mary Frances Heck who is also a CIA alum. How cool that she attended this amazing school.
Victor Samuel Photography
Victor Samuel Photography
The Culinary Institute of America Copia Chef team welcoming us to the Brunch Battle and sharing a secret ingredient each Chef was asked to use in their recipe for the competition. Any idea what the ingredient was?
What’s better than being at a Food & Wine Event in Napa before noon AND getting to hang out with Food & Wine Magazine Editors. Thanks to the Food & Wine team for hanging out, chatting and sharing all of your incredible knowledge with me and other guests. It was truly a special treat and so fun and memorable.
The delicious breakfast spread for guests AND the most amazing NEW Hestan Kitchens at The Culinary Institute of America Copia. There are four different colored kitchens and the bright yellow was for sure my favorite, so fun, cheerful and really looks amazing in the space.
Through my passion for food I met a dear fear friend, Gwyneth Borden who runs the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. It’s been 4 years since we met and each year is more and more fun and delicious as we share fun times together at fabulous events like this one or events in San Francisco. Gwyneth is not only a friend but a member of The JetSetting Fashionista Board of Advisors sharing incredible wisdom, industry knowledge and advice with me so a huge thanks to my friends and colleague for all that she contributes to The JetSetting Fashionista.
Some of the delicious brunch guests enjoyed while watching the brunch off.
With any brunch comes delicious sparkling wine. This Sparkling Wine came from Liana Estates which is a charming Carneros Winery I suggest you experience. Read more about Liana Estates and some of my other favorite Carneros Wineries on my Top 10 Carneros Wineries post here.
Chef Hilary Sullivan hard at work during the brunch off.
Watching the chef’s in action as they cook and prepare for the Brunch off. The food was absolutely stunning. Sadly I didn’t get to try their food (only the judges did). If I was a judge, by these views and fabulous presentation, I would have awarded quite a few winners!
Victor Samuel Photography
Congrats to the winning team lead by Chef Hilary Sullivan on their victory!
Victor Samuel Photography
Victor Samuel Photography
Chef Hilary Sullivan accepting her winning trophy! Congrats.
Victor Samuel Photography
Thanks to The Culinary Institute of America Copia for hosting me for this weekends festivities and Lexus for partnering with me and providing this amazing Lexus LS 500 F Sport. This car was so much fun to drive and was absolutely a dream.
What do you think?