Kathleen Hill: Jaques Pepin doc, 4-H flapjacks and burrito woes

‘Jacques Pépin: ?The Art of Craft’

Remember the film “James Beard: America’s First Foodie” that screened at the Sonoma International Film Festival? That movie launches a new American Masters series on KQED this Friday, May 19 at 9 p.m., to be followed by several episodes on American chefs.

The culinary journey of American Masters’ “Chefs Flight” featuring documentaries on four culinary icons, James Beard, Julia Child and Alice Waters, continues with “Jacques Pépin: The Art of Craft,” on Friday, May 26 at 9 p.m.

Discover the story of chef Jacques Pepin, a young immigrant with movie-star looks and a charming Gallic accent, who elevated essential kitchen techniques to an art form to become one of America’s most beloved food icons.

4-H Flapjack Feed

Sonoma Valley 4-H, led by Becky Larson of Larson Family Winery, which is truly a family dedicated to other families and young people, will host its 10th annual flapjack feed this Sunday, May 21 at Schell-Vista Fire Station.

Guests can feast on light and fluffy flapjacks (aka pancakes), sausage, fruit, milk, juice, and coffee, all served by Sonoma Valley 4-H members.

There will be a silent auction of items donated and created by the 4-H members, as well as items from local businesses. Last year I bought a treasure chest of white flowered plants donated by supporter Eileen Pharo and turned it into a curbside library. This is the club’s only fundraiser.

It is an opportunity to visit with friends old and new, as well as learn what 4-H is all about – it is not just cows and cooking anymore. In addition to large animal projects like beef, dairy, sheep, swine and goats and small animal projects like poultry and pygmy goats, Sonoma Valley 4-H offers projects such as bee keeping, canning, holiday cookies, public speaking, dog care and training, quilting, sewing, leather craft, hiking, and more. 4-H is open to kids from 5 to 19 years old. $8, free for kids under 3, making this a real family outing. 8 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 529-6085.

Wish there was 4-H for grownups!

Important burrito recall

Green Chile Food Co. of Las Cruces, New Mexico is recalling more than 250,000 pounds of frozen burritos because of possible listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The burritos were made between March 8 and May 10, marked with number 21740, and were distributed in California, Oregon, Illinois and South Dakota.

Quarryhill education fundraiser

Even if it’s your first visit, you might want to attend the fundraiser Saturday, May 20 at Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen. The garden is at its spring finest, and Bruce Riezenman of Park Avenue Catering will do the food.

The whole event benefits Quarryhill’s Youth Science Education Program and includes Paul W. Meyer, Director of the Morris Arboretum, who will speak about the importance of educating children about nature, followed by a fund-a-need for children’s science education programs.

Chef Bruce will serve sake oyster shooters, Ahi tartare on sesame crisps, spicy duck and asparagus sushi rolls, and tempura veggies to greet guests. At the Yakitori Station, you can get garlic-ginger shiitake mushroom skewers, sesame-ginger soba noodles, and Indonesian grilled chicken breast. Also look for Korean short ribs, scallion Jasmin rice, Asian pear, radish and watercress salad, pickled vegetables, lemon Verbena ice cream, lavender shortbread cookies, French press coffee and Tazo teas. $145 public, $125 members. 5:30 to 8 p.m. 12841 Highway 12, Glen Ellen.

Saddle up for Cowboy Cab

Teen Services “Cowboy Cab” fundraiser rides its proverbial horse on Saturday, June 3 to a new venue, the Tyge William Cellars Barn at Cornerstone Sonoma, loaded with appetizers and dessert by Lovin’ Oven (a Teen Services program), and a loaded cowboy buffet by Ramekins, and Cold Stone ice cream.

The menu includes passed hors d’oeuvres including Cowboy Caviar in crunchy tortilla shooters, cucumber cups filled with smoked salmon and dilled cream cheese, and grapes rolled in goat cheese and pecans.

The buffet will offer slow-roasted smoky barbecue pork, grilled chicken with spicy barbecue sauces, barbecued baked beans, truffled potato chips, broccoli-carrot cole slaw with toasted almonds, and jalapeno cornbread with whipped honey butter, followed by Cold Stone Creamery ice cream bar with toppings and Lovin’ Oven chocolate chip cookies with brownies.

Beer will flow along with Prohibition Spirits’ spirited line of spirits. The silent auction will focus on rare wine lots and great raffle prizes. Games, prizes, dancing, music, and grub.

According to Francesca Fifis, Teen Services’ program and volunteer manager, the event “raises critical funds that support the numerous employment and career resources that Teen Services Sonoma provides to more than 500 teens and young adults each year.” $100. Tickets at 939-1452 or teenservicessonoma.org.

La Casa Restaurant celebrates 50 years

To celebrate La Casa’s 50 years of successful business, the Sherpa Brothers pledged to donate 10 percent of their April revenue to six local nonprofits as a thank you to Sonoma’s continuous support of the restaurant on East Spain Street across from the mission.

And Monday night they invited representatives of La Luz, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Pets Lifeline, FISH, and Boys & Girls Club Sonoma Valley to dinner to receive their checks and enjoy a tasty dinner.

Mayor Rachel Hundley presented La Casa’s checks for $1,000 to each nonprofit. Guests enjoyed La Casa’s Caesar salad, followed by choices of enchiladas rancheras, avocado relleno, fajitas, carne asada Pancho Villa, or a supremo burrito, and endless pitchers of margaritas, all courtesy of La Casa.

Sunset Celebration at Cornerstone

Sunset magazine puts on its annual Celebration Weekend at Cornerstone this Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21.

Shuttles will be available to and from Sonoma Plaza, Casa Grande parking lot, Adele Harrison Middle School, and Sonoma Valley Schellville Airport. Handicap parking will be at the Schellville Airport with ADA compliant shuttle service, according to the Sunset website.

There will be plenty of food available for purchase from food trucks including the Tips Tri Tip Trolley, Caribbean Spices, Croques & Toques and Jackrabbit.

Besides lots of vendor booths and displays by Sunset magazine advertisers, there will be abundant cooking demonstrations by prominent chef. For the schedule, check out sunset.com.

Plus there will be expert horticulture, garden, wine, and spirits seminars both days. Tickets $35 online, $45 at gate. VIP $125 online advance only. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Sunset.com.

French Flea Market next weekend

Named the “Best French Flea in America” by French Country Style magazine, Chateau Sonoma’s French Flea Market breezes into Cornerstone next Saturday, May 27 and 28.

The annual French flea market is inspired by flea markets in France,, and it’s the closest to the real thing that I have ever seen. Chateau Sonoma strives to bring the experience of traveling to France without leaving home.

The flea market allows vendors of imported French wares to offer their finest, this year from about 20 unique vendors, plus Chateau Sonoma is bringing in lots of extra merchandise acquired by owner Sarah Anderson on recent trips.

Enjoy the ambiance of France with grilled sausages and baguettes, rosé wine, and the music Michel the barrel organist.

Reminder: Carniceria tours are back

Join me next Friday to learn about all those interesting cuts of meats, inexpensive fruits and vegetables, and Mexican spices tucked away in Sonoma’s local Mexican markets, or carnicerias next Friday, May 26.

We’ll gather at Ramekins for coffee and Mexican pastries at 10 a.m., and then tour several markets, lunch at a local really Mexican restaurant, visit the Flowery School salsa garden, purchase a hot-off-the-barbecue half or whole chicken at El Brinquito, and finish the day off with Mexican ice cream at a local ice cream factory and shop. $70 inclusive (alcohol drinks extra). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ramekins.com.

Viansa serving local foods

Viansa Winery just announced that the Girl & the Fig now provides salads, grilled chicken with chutney and much more for guests at Viansa Winery, a great place with telescopes to bird watch. Executive Chef John Toulze also prepares dinners on Viansa’s terrace for your dining pleasure as part of Viansa’s dinner series on June 5 and 29 and July 27. In the meantime, B.R. Cohn Winery & Olive Oil Company offers raw or grilled Tomales Bay oysters paired with a B.R. Cohn wine every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m.