In March we had the pleasure and honor to attend the 38th annual banquet of the Southern California Restaurant Writers. The late Doris Crandall, a well-traveled gourmet and restaurant critic, established the association 39 years ago. We had the privilege to know Doris Crandall. We had long animated conversations together. Doris loved to dine out; it was like therapy for her. However, she confessed that in the seventies, her dining experiences too often left her feeling unfulfilled. So, Doris Crandall decided to go to work and help change the Southern California Culinary Scene. Today her association remains vibrant and rewards the best restaurant professionals, from the front of the house to the kitchen. The Doris Crandall Scholarship Fund also helps young people who have decided to embrace a career in the culinary arts. The profits from the banquet, along with generous donations by restaurateurs, are used towards scholarships for students attending Community College Culinary Arts Programs.
The banquet took place at The Ranch Saloon and Restaurant, which opened its doors just a few months ago, on the ground floor of the Extron building, in Anaheim. As Guests were invited to do so, we all added a western twist to our outfits. It was a lot of fun to leave the evening glitter at home and slip into something casual and comfortable. All gathered in the Saloon, a spacious room, on two levels, with two bars, a stage and a large dance floor, which accommodated almost two hundred guests very comfortably.
The evening opened with a wine tasting from several wineries: Thornton, Guglielmo, Sierra Madre, Lasorda, Robert Kacher, Regal Wine, Kendall-Jackson, Carmel Road Monterey, Robert Talbott, Casa Torelli, Tesoro, Henry Wine, Pedroncelli, Bridelwood, William Hill, Starborough, Gallo-Kathie, and MacMurray. All the wines were donated for our enjoyment. The wonderful Hors d’oeuvres followed: Chilled Jumbo Mexican White Shrimp, Ahi Tuna Poke, Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Sliders, Hot smoked Skuna Bay Salmon, Miniature Lam Lollipops. Then we moved to our tables. Table numbers had been assigned at check-in time. The organization of the party was flawless. A sumptuous dinner was awaiting. First Course: Organic Spinach & Endive Salad – Sierra Nevada Goat Cheese, Bosc Pears/Candied Walnuts/Cranberry Vinaigrette. Second Course: Sea of Cortez Diver Scallop-Garden peas/Nova Scotia Lobster/Iberico Ham/Chanterelle Mushrooms/Brentwood corn. Entrée: Certified Black Angus Beef Tenderloin – Cantenay Carrots/Sun-dried Cherries/Cabernet reduction. Dessert: Tahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee with Lemon & Poppy Seed Madeleines. Nobody went hungry that night!
As we all thought that we were done with dinner, (this was not the case), we directed our attention to the stage where members of the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association announced the winners. Chef of the Year: Orazio Parisi from Paparrazi- Pastry Chef of the Year: David Rossi from Ambrosia – Manager of the Year: Mary Murphy from Muldoon’s- Sommelier of the Year: Tommy Martin from Five Crowns. Phoenicia in Glendale gathered three awards: 5 Stars, Longevity, and Golden Bacchus. Unfortunately, we cannot list everybody and we apologize for it. Each year the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association publishes their Awards Booklet, which lists the hundreds of restaurants in the Southland that received awards from five stars to two stars. The mailing address is P.O. BOX 17114 Anaheim Hills, Ca 92817. On our way out we were treated with an abundance of Mignardises (Assorted Home made Chocolate Confections), accompanied by Port, Courtesy of Guglielmo Family Winery and Champagne, Courtesy of the Thornton Winery.
The 38th Annual Banquet of the Southern California Restaurant Writers was a great success, perfectly orchestrated by The Ranch Saloon and Restaurant..
Back to Table of Contents..
Graphic Design by Impact Graphics