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Media Release
San Mateo County Convention & Visitors Bureau
December 8, 2006
Contact: Anne LeClair: 650-348-7600
San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau Releases The “San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets” Cookbook
The inaugural edition of the “San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets” Cookbook is now available. The “San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets” project is the partnership of the San Mateo County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the San Mateo County Farm Bureau in cooperation with the San Mateo County Harbor District. The campaign is in response to the growing slow food/“foodie” trend. Visitors and locals alike are now discovering that San Mateo County is a world-class culinary tourism destination.
The “San Mateo County: As Fresh as it Gets” Cookbook is the latest part of the “As Fresh as it Gets” campaign to recognize San Mateo County for its incredible fresh produce grown in the southernmost part of the county, the fish, crab and prawns caught off of the Pacific side, and the locally produced cheese, wine and microbrews. The cookbook contains over 130 recipes that feature these locally grown, caught, and produce food items from the county. “We go out of our way to use fresh products that are grown and caught locally,” said Alessandro Cartumini, executive chef of Quattro Restaurant and Bar. “It’s important to support the local growers and suppliers, and the proof is in the better quality of the finished product.”
The cookbook follows a very successful behind the scenes farm tour for local chefs. The chefs were able to tour various fresh produce, dairy, and floral farms, and a visit with fisherman at Pillar Point Harbor. One of the chefs in attendance was Executive Chef Tim Hilt of 231 Ellsworth who immediately noted that it was great to find people that, “really had a passion about what they do, much like myself as a chef.” Among the various restaurants that submitted recipes for the cookbook were Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, Pasta Moon, Cetrella, Moss Beach Distillery, Vivace, Pasta Pomodoro, The Flea Street Café, and The Cool Café. Additional recipes include suggested recipes fro local farmers and fishermen, such as Harley Farms, Daylight Farms, and the California Salmon Council. The cookbook even includes specialty recipes using Casa Sanchez Salsa; a San Mateo County made salsa featuring fresh products.
“I’m very excited about the cookbook coming out,” said Jack Olsen of the San Mateo County Farm Bureau. “We’ll be using this as part of our marketing effort, including living a healthy lifestyle.” The cookbook will be used to spread the idea of San Mateo County as a culinary hot spot, something that does not always come to mind when thinking of the county. Also included in the cookbook will be an insert of places to purchase fresh food products straight from the source, in addition to local farmer market locations and dates.
Half of the cookbooks from the first run have already been sold. The SMCCVB is already planning a second edition of the cookbook in 2007. In addition to the cookbook, preparations for the 2007 “As Fresh as it Gets” chef awards are underway. Distribution of applications will begin early next year with an award ceremony scheduled for the late spring. The awards are designed to recognize restaurants, accommodations and caterers who go out of their way to use fresh local products.
The cookbooks are available for sale from the San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau and also on the San Mateo County Farm Bureau website. For further information on the “As Fresh as it Gets” project, or for an award application, please contact the SMCCVB at (650) 348-7600 or info@smccvb.com.
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For use of Alessandro Cartumini please give credit to Chris Schumach
For use of the cookbook cover please give credit to Paolo Vescia.
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