Sonoma Photographer: The Feast of the Olive

The Feast of the Olive 2012 will be on Saturday January 26th at Ramekins. It is one of my favorite events of all those that I shoot during the year. It is a very intimate celebration where the local wineries, olive oil purveyors and the best chefs of the Sonoma Valley come together to enjoy multi-course dinner around our treasured "other fruit", the olive. Narsai David usually delights the guests with his appearance.

Sonoma Photographer: Make up for the camera

I recently read an article in the April 5th edition of New York Times called Skin Deep which highlights a new trend in the world of photography. With the posting of un-retouched photos to social media willy-nilly, some women are taking pre-emptive measures to ensure their complexions look smooth on the internet. To reduce the shines for photography, one woman layers on Bobbi Brown's face base and Smashbox HD Healthy FX foundation before contouring her cheekbones with bronzer.

With the advent of HD cameras that detect every flaw, cosmetic companies are scrambling to create makeup to address this issue. They discovered that foundations need to look thinner, yet still have coverage.

Smashbox bought by Estee Lauder in 2010 also offers products such as Photo Op eye shadow trio, Be Discovered cream and Photo Finishing hydrating foundation primer.....the latest creation being Camera Ready BB Cream. The founder of Smashbox is Davis Factor, a photographer whose great grandfather was Max Factor. Smashbox's competitor, Revlon has come out with a new product line called Photoready and their cream blushes will arrive in drugstores this month.

Sonoma Photographer: The Feast of the Olive

The Feast of the Olives was held on January 28th at Ramekins Culinary School in Sonoma. This is one of the greatest events of the year featuring many of the best chefs in the area. You get to also mingle with local wine makers and olive purveyors. As a photographer who does many events, I feel that this is the one special occasion where you get to meet the real players in Sonoma. Well worth the ticket!

A portrait of Dana Jaffe, Executive Chef, Saddles

I have photographed several events at Saddles. The lobby decorated with cowboy paraphernalia and a stately horse set the stage for the charm of this place. So it seemed only appropriate that I should photograph Dana Jaffe in this special spot.

MacArthur Place Executive Chef Dana Jaffe began her culinary career with a 3-year apprenticeship through the AFC (American Culinary Federation), working for such companies Cunard and Stein Eriksons. She graduated at the top of her class in 1986, and was granted CWC certification in 1988. She has lived in Sonoma County for the past twenty two years and worked at Restaurant Matisse, Tre Scalini, John Ash & Co. Korbel and Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa prior to joining MacArthur Place in 2001 where she has served as Executive Chef for the last 10 years.

Saddles is Sonoma’s premier steakhouse specializing in steaks, chops and fresh seafood. Set in a magnificently restored 100-year old barn on the historic estate of MacArthur Place Inn & Spa, Saddles provides a truly unique setting for a memorable dining experience.

Sonoma Photographer: Manuel Azevedo

 

A portrait of  Maneul Azevedo

Manuel Azevedo will be one of the featured chefs at the Feast of the Olives in Sonoma on January 28, 2012. One of features that stands out in his restaurant are the lovely copper pots hanging above the bar. Manuel is very personable and I so enjoyed our photo session.

Azorean-born chef Manuel Azevedo has been the owner, manager, and head chef of Sonoma Valley’s acclaimed LaSalette Restaurant since 1998. Named after Chef Azevedo’s mother, LaSalette celebrates the historically vast and varied flavors found in traditional Portuguese cuisine while delivering a modern interpretation of Portuguese food and cooking. This unique blend of traditional Portuguese flavors presented with a contemporary edge is the basis of Chef Azevedo’s signature Cozinha Nova Portuguesa – new Portuguese cuisine. At the heart of the philosophy of Cozinha Nova Portuguesa is the belief that using local, fresh, seasonal ingredients will not only result in healthier and more sustainable food consumption practices, but it will also create appreciably tastier dishes. To this end, LaSalette draws upon the finest local Californian ingredients to create its distinctively Portuguese dishes.

La Salette Restaurant offers fresh, Inventive Mediterranean and Iberian Cuisine in the heart of the Sonoma Valley Wine Country. Seafood and Portuguese Cuisine are our specialties. Many of these dishes come steaming hot out of the wood-burning oven and fill the dining room with the exotic aromas of true Mediterranean cuisine. The menu reflects the commitment of Chef and Owner Manuel Azevedo to creating the unique culinary delights of his native Portugal and its neighbors.