‘From the Vine’

Barbecue boot camp to feature favorite vintages at Alisal Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Back by popular demand, the BBQ Bootcamp at Alisal Ranch will now be held three times a year, with the first one scheduled for March 5-8 at the 10,500-acre spread in Solvang.

The camp’s theme is “From the Vine.”

Featured will be California wineries pouring their favorite vintages and teaching guests how to pair and incorporate them into grilling recipes in addition to a private tasting excursion.

The BBQ Bootcamp brings some of the nation’s top chefs and grill masters to the ranch, where they will prepare indulgent barbecue feasts, demonstrate their unique approach to grilling (even desserts!) and share their barbecue secrets, tips, and tricks. Chef Valerie Gordon will be in charge.

The celebrated Los Angeles chocolatier and James Beard finalist cookbook author for 2013’s “Sweet,” founded Valerie Confections in 2004 and eventually guided the confectionery to become one of the nation’s most highly acclaimed boutique chocolatiers. In addition to emceeing the bootcamp, Ms. Gordon will conduct two of her own cooking demonstrations, sharing recipes and tips for grilling desserts.

Craig Riker, Alisal Ranch’s executive chef, will be offering a hands-on, interactive steak grilling demonstration. In addition, Frank Ostini of Hitching Post ll returns to the BBQ Bootcamp lineup with a wine tasting and burger lunch. The legendary restaurant owner, chef and winemaker is most recognized for his Buellton restaurant, which appeared in the 2004 movie “Sideways.”

Govind Armstrong, who is returning to the ranch after participating in a California Ranch Cookout last year, will demonstrate and pair grilled seafood with wine, a first for BBQ Bootcamp.

Chef Armstrong, who was raised on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, uses a seasonal approach to cooking and sustainability that has resulted in a slate of celebrated restaurants in Los Angeles, Miami and New York. They include Chadwick, Table 8, 8oz Burger Bar, Willie Jane and Post & Beam. He is often recognized for

Please see BOOT CAMP on B2

7 p.m. Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson will perform at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. For more information, go to lobero.org/events/jack-johnson.

FEB. 22

1:30 p.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 23 10 a.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 24 7 p.m. “The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 25

1:30 and 7 p.m. The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria. The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

FEB. 26

1:30 p.m. The River Bride” will be presented by PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre) in Santa Maria.

The play is being performed at the Severson Theatre at Allan Hancock College, 870 S. Bradley Road. Tickets are $49. To purchase, visit www.pcpa. org or call the box office at 805-9228313.

MARCH 2

7:30 p.m. The Miro Quartet will perform at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara.

Admission is $20 for museum members and $25 for nonmembers.