While fresh tomatoes are available year-round, they're definitely at their best during summer.

On a recent, sparkling Napa Saturday afternoon the Redwood Retirement Home became a culinary battleground with five fine North Bay chefs competing in Holiday Retirement's "Iron Chef 2007" cooking contest, modeled after the popular television series.

Todd Humphries, executive chef, Martini House

Todd Humphries, executive chef, Martini House

Sometimes the best way to make the most of fresh produce is to crank up the heat.

Creating a variety of dishes from one prime ingredient provides a welcome challenge for wine country chef Todd Humphries.

It was an alert reader who notified us that the Foothill Café, closed since January, was back in business -- prompting a swift trip to "the one and only since 1991" cafe that helped put Napa on the food map.

Deadline cooking is all about the ingredients. Select the right high-flavor, low-prep ingredients and great meals practically assemble themselves.