Sonoma Photographer: Michelin's-star chef, Andrew Cain

Andrew Cain, Chef de Cuisine

I had the chance to meet Andrew Cain when I photographed him for the Feast of the Olives event on January 28, 2001.  Andrew, the Chef de Cuisine of Santé at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a graduate of the New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Cain’s background includes stints at some of the country’s finest including La Folie, San Francisco, Chef de Partie positions at Michele Richard’s Citronelle, the unparalleled French Laundry and Michael Mina’s named San Francisco establishment. Santé Restaurant is the Inn's premier dining room and has earned a national reputation for its outstanding food. Condé Nast Traveler said "it's worth a special trip just to eat here" and Gourmet Magazine calls the food "the best of the new Wine Country style."

Santé, the fine dining room at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, has been graced with a coveted Michelin star and lauded Zagat accolades. The handsome restaurant has earned a national reputation for outstanding food. Literally meaning “to your health,” the restaurant is a celebration of innovative California cuisine and good taste. Guests enjoy a seasonal menu, in a warm and casual yet stylish setting.

Sonoma Photographer: The Feast of the Olives in January

In November I was commissioned to photograph the fine chefs in Sonoma Valley who will be participating in Olive Feast on January 28,^, 2011 at Ramekins Cooking School. This event is one of the best in the valley where chefs, wine makers, olive purveyors and foodies gather to celebrate the fruits of the land. Over the next month, I plan to feature many of these chefs on my blogs.  These chefs are like super stars in our valley.

One of the top chefs is Carlo Cavallo, owner of   Meritage Martini Oyster Bar & Grille which is the perennial winner of Best Seafood Restaurant in Napa and Sonoma County since 2000.  He has won consecutive Best Overall Martini awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011 at Martini Madness showcasing his mixology skills.  Cavallo is also the winner of 2009 Best Beef in America Chef's Challenge put on by National Cattlemen's Association.   

Cavallo has both an Italian and American heritage. In his portrait I took of him, you will notice an antique cash register given to him by his grandfather which is displayed in the entrance of his restaurant. 

Besides catering for private winery functions, weddings and events, Cavallo currently caters all corporate events for Louis Vuitton boutiques in Beverly Hills and San Francisco.  He was recently the featured as Star Chef for the Sonoma Showcase of Food & Wine.  He serves on the Board of Directors of the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers and has the title of Culinary Director of the Sonoma Valley Wine Auction.      

                            

Carlo has appeared on many national and international Television programs such as the Food Network “Pick of the day” and “Chef du Jour”, CNN’s On the Menu, NBC “In Wine Country”, PBS and ABC morning news. He has been featured on Japanese and French Television programs. 

 His recipes and restaurants have been featured in the New York times, Los Angeles Times, Gourmet, Wine Spectator,  Wine Enthusiast, La Cucina Italiana, Chef magazine, Conde Naste, Food and Wine, San Francisco Chronicle, Press Democrat, and Marin Independent Journal as well as several other publications.