Mustard Festival slates full weekend of events in Napa

By L. PIERCE CARSON
Napa Valley Register

Signature events of the 15th annual Napa Valley Mustard Festival are scheduled this weekend at Black Stallion Vineyards and Copia: the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts in Napa.

The Awards — billed as “A Spicy Soirée” featuring a local chef’s competition — is scheduled Friday at Black Stallion Vineyards, 4089 Silverado Trail.

On Saturday and Sunday, the festival’s signature event, The Marketplace, features, wine, food, mustard and entertainment during the day both Saturday and Sunday.

Friday’s event spotlights an awards ceremony for world champion mustard producers as well as the crowning of the People’s Choice Chef of the Year. Grand champion condiment this year is Silver Spring Deli Style mustard.

A wealth of Napa Valley chefs are taking part in the Chef of the Year Mustard Recipe Competition. They include Daniel Holt, executive chef, All Seasons Bistro; Mounir Fahmy and Ddrisst Touzani, executive chef and sous chef, Bayleaf; Joel Elich, chef de cuisine, Bistro Jeanty; Matt Mermod, executive chef, Bleaux Magnolia; Kristopher Schawitz, prep foods manager, Dean & Deluca; Andrew Arndt, executive chef, Elaine Bell Catering; Summer Sebastiani, pastry chef, Hydro Bar & Grill; Jeff Mosher, executive chef, Julia’s Kitchen; Bryan Martinez, chef de cuisine, Kinyon Culinary; Eduardo Chavez, Market St. Helena; Maynard Oestreich, executive chef, Marriott Napa Valley; Vincent Nattress, executive chef, Meadowood Resort; Don Nolan, corporate chef, Rings Steak, Seafood and Chops; Laurent P.X. Berthon, executive sous chef, Siena at the Meritage Resort; Peter Pahk, executive chef, Silverado Resort; Paul Heberer, executive chef, Tuscany; and Angela Tamura, chef/partner, Zuzu.

Wineries slated to pour their latest releases at the Friday event include Andretti, Beaulieu, Black Stallion, Bourassa, Carrefour, Ceja, Chinnock, Diamond Oaks, Domaine Chandon, Dutch Henry, Eagle & Rose, Elizabeth Spencer, Flora Springs, Hagafen, The Hess Collection, Honig, Mumm Napa, Peju Province, Robert Pecota, Rocca Family, St. Barthélemy, St. Supery, Sterling, Truchard and William Harrison.

Attendees will be able to taste the dishes entered in the chef’s competition and then vote for their favorite. They’ll also be able to kick up their heels to the country rock music of California Cowboys.

Tickets for this event are $100 in advance, or $150 at the door.

The Marketplace is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Copia. It takes place in festive outdoor tents as well as on the first floor level of Copia.

Food and wine will be paired at stations throughout the venue and live music will be performed by a number of Bay Area ensembles and singers. Cooking demonstrations are scheduled by festival host chef Christopher Manning, of Domaine Chandon, along with Silverado Resort’s Peter Pahk, Napa Valley Wine Train’s Kelly Macdonald and Julia’s Kitchen’s Jeff Mosher.

Mustard and art exhibits are planned, as is a hands-on art program for kids, sponsored by the Arts Council of Napa Valley.

Performing on the main stage in Copia’s South Garden on Saturday will be the French/Gypsy folk ensemble Djinn (11 a.m.), the rock group Free Peoples (noon) and singer Maria Muldaur (3 p.m.). Sunday’s lineup includes the world music of David Correa & Cascada (11 a.m.), the rockin’ blues and harmonica of Norton Buffalo and the Knockouts (1 p.m.) and the Motown sounds of Pride & Joy (3:30 p.m.).

Adult admission to The Marketplace at $30 in advance; $35 at the door, includes 8 food and 5 wine tasting tickets (value $1  each), plus a souvenir wine glass. Student admission, ages 13 to 20, at $10 includes 5 food-tasting tickets. Admission for children ages 6 to 12 is $5. Children under the age of 6 are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at Raley’s and Nob Hill Foods or ordered by calling 938-1133. Tickets for The Awards are available at 938-1133. 

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