Octopus Ink

Flavors of San Diego Culinary Gala is an amazing food event. Some twenty tables are hosted by a different chef and his/her team from the fanciest restaurants in San Diego. I found my way into the kitchen, which was packed with photo opportunities at every turn. 10 mini kitchens were set up, abuzz with chefs and sous chefs and servers.

I witnessed the process of setting up plates of food; the decor, the garnish, the lovingly prepared centerpiece, the carefully placed splashes of sauce, the grated truffle. I would have liked to spend the entire time in the kitchen; however, my assignment was to cover the event, not just the food.

My table was wined and dined by JRDN in Pacific Beach. The chefs were refreshingly down to earth; none of the stuffiness or snootiness that I stereotypically think of chefs.