Culinary Cocktails at West Hollywood Pavilions

Saturday, August 15th, The Chef Knows team hosted another Culinary Cocktails event at Pavilions in West Hollywood. This glamorous supermarket is located on the corner of Robertson and Santa Monica in the heart of West Hollywood. The Grand Re-Opening took place on July 24th, during which reusable shopping bags were given away to all in attendance. Safeway continues their efforts to reduce plastic bag consumption by encouraging consumers to reuse the sturdy and attractive Pavilions bags. Safeway uses energy saving technologies, wind power, and renewable resources. This warm summer Saturday, the setting was perfect for a day of Gourmet Food Tasting and Pairing with Bacardi Mojitos.

Our Guest Celebrity Chef this week was Chef Vernon Cardenas of BOA Steakhouse, Innovative Dining Group's latest award winning restaurant! Using mostly ingredients purchased at Pavilions, Chef Vernon created Crostini with Burrata Cheese, topped with Mixed Baby Heirloom Tomatoes, 50-year-old Aged Balsamic and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Burrata Cheese is a special type of fresh Mozzarella with a creamy, buttery texture. The Aged Balsamic reduction infused the Baby Heirlooms with a rich, delicious flavor enhanced by the crunchy Crostini. Two bartenders from BOA mixed up some virgin Mojitos for all customers in attendance! Everyone was pleased to see the talented Chef and Peter Dills filming his show, The Chef Knows.

I take pleasure in meeting Chefs that use quality organic ingredients and buy from sustainable farmers and growers. The always-smiling Chef Vernon said he welcomed the challenge of preparing vegetarian dishes and takes care to pick the freshest organic in-season produce available. BOA uses only the highest quality beef and takes pride in the fine selection of meats they serve their guests. BOA has won Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" for Best Restaurants in the World for Wine Lovers. On Sunday nights, Wine Lovers can indulge in BOA's impressive wine list. All bottles are half price! Visit http://www.boasteak.com/ for more information. You just might find me with my friends at BOA on Sunday nights, and every other day of the week!

We will be visiting Vons and Pavilions locations throughout California for Peter Dills' Culinary Sampling and Tasting events. Special Thanks to Bacardi and Innovative Dining Group!