Delights sold-out crowd at CIA in St. Helena
St. Helena, CA – March 2024 – Appellation St. Helena (ASH) proudly hosted its highly anticipated annual food and wine pairing extravaganza, bASH, on March 23, drawing a sold-out crowd of 300 enthusiastic attendees. Held at The Culinary Institute of America Greystone, this year marked the event’s triumphant 13th year, showcasing the exceptional talents of both emerging culinary students and seasoned professionals alongside the wonderful wineries of St. Helena.
The coveted “Fan Favorite” awards were clinched by Revana Estate with culinary students Munkhbaatar Gantulga, Chloe Wakayama and John Valadez, Chase Cellars with culinary students Amina Rateb and Noga Ramon, and Young Inglewood with culinary students Sarah Petersen, Clay Gerdin and Alex Bleakley, claiming first, second, and third place respectively. Meanwhile, in the fiercely contested “Professional Favorites” category, culinary students Keaton MacKenzie, Kaihan Qazen, and Lloyd Boatman, expertly paired with CourAvant Winery took first place followed by Buena Vista Winery with culinary students Krish Mahendra Todekar, Juan Montano and Ciro Medina-Mendoza, and Pellet Estate with culinary students Katherine Kowal and Ashton Altares.
Julia Jinks, Board President of ASH and Director of Marketing at Boisset Collection, expressed her delight with this year’s event, noting, “This year’s bASH was a fabulous success, boasting a diverse range of competitors and incredibly creative food-wine pairings. It is truly wonderful to see the community come together for such a fun and delicious event.”
Dan Kedan, Assistant Professor of Culinary Art at The Culinary Institute of America, lauded the exemplary performance of the students, stating, “The students did amazingly well, showcasing their remarkable talent and passion for the culinary arts.”
Appellation St. Helena extends heartfelt gratitude to Sunshine Market and Le Creuset for their generous donations and unwavering support. Proceeds from the evening will contribute to the continued success of ASH and bolster the scholarship fund of The Culinary Institute of America, empowering future generations of culinary professionals.
Next year’s bASH will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
For more information about Appellation St. Helena and upcoming events, please visit https://appellationsthelena.com/.
The 25 competing teams were:
Mending Wall Team 1
- 2021 Tournahu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- Spring Mischief – plantain, parsnip and Primal Cut
- Chefs: Katherine Colridge Rodriguez, Benicia; Veronica Licha Lopez, Puerto Rico; Candace Fleming, Orinda
Vineyard 29 Team 2
- 2021 Vineyard 29 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
- Roly Poly Donut with Pineapple, Coriander, Walnut and Chili
- Chefs: Ruby Pokras, Simi Valley ; Alyssa Rosas, Calexico; Anusha Karki, Artesia
Hall Wines Team 3
- 2020 Coeur Cabernet Sauvignon
- Galbijjim Vol-au-vent with Cabernet Reduction
- Celine Kim, South Korea; Ean Dalton, Jamesville WI; Suraya Serhan, Mexico
Anomaly Vineyards Team 4
- 2021 Anomaly Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
- Spring Duck Anomaly
- Chefs: Maena Manzon, Fairfield; Grace Dobbels, Kansas City MO; Josie Heacock, Sonoma
Taplin Cellars Team 5
- 2019 Terra 9 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Fresh Off The Vine
- Chefs: Isaac Bravo, Gilroy; Claire Thornborough, Kenosha WI; Mirir Shah, Fremont
Chase Cellars Team 6
- 2021 Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel
- Small Bite Chicken Schwarma
- Chefs: Amina Rateb, Fairfield; Noga Ramon, Israel
The Crane Assembly Team 7
- 2019 G.B. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- St. Helena Bella Notte Agnello
- Chefs: Matthew Reyes, Bremerton WA; Amanda Sooch, W. Bloomfield MI; Dara Cabrera, Yuma AZ
Revana Estate Team 8
- 2021 Revana Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tartare Otsumami
- Chefs: Munkhbaatar Gantulga, Mongolia; Chloe Wakayama, San Jose; John Valdez, Los Angeles
Gallica Team 9
- 2018 Estate Petite Sirah
- Blood Orange Glazed Tenderloin
- Chefs: Michael Hagerty, Atlanta; Spencer Stengle, Princeton NJ
Pellet Estate Team 10
- 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Wagyu Tartare and Pearls
- Chefs: Katherine Kowal, Ossining NY; Ashton Altares, Kapolei HI
Young Inglewood Vineyards Team 11
- 2023 Vin Clair Rose
- Salmon Tartare
- Chefs: Sarah Petersen, Minneapolis; Clay Gerdin, Solon IA; Alex Bleakley, Oklahoma City
Calafia Wines Team 12
- 2021 Estate Grown La Reina Red Bordeaux Blend
- Steak Mousseline with Savory Berry Coulis
- Chefs: Andes I, San Jose; Arung Pal, India; James Barber, Smithtown NY
Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery Team 13
- 2021 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon
- Piggly Wiggly’s Pork
- Chefs: Alexys Milburn, Folsom; Conner Lane, Lincoln CA ; Mark Berry, Birmingham AL
Raymond Vineyards Team 14
- 2020 Raymond Vineyards District Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena
- Blackberry Espresso Bonbon
- Chefs: Julia Thompson, Sacramento; Anica Chan, Hong Kong
CourAvant Team 15
- 2020 CourAvant Proprietary Red Wine
- Eggs in Custard
- Chefs: Keaton Mackenzie, Phoenix; Kaihan Qazen, Lafayette; David Bell, Irvine
Titus Vineyards Team 16
- 2021 Titus Cabernet Sauvignon
- Nori Crisp with Tofu Mousse
- Chefs: Maverick Cootauco, Philippines; Michael McCoy, Sacramento; Hyeongjun Suh, South Korea
Denali Estate Team 17
- 2021 Denali Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
- Duck in a Cup
- Chefs: Dylan Moseley, Vacaville; Giovanni Barbosa, St. Helena ; Tyler Sorochinsky, Malibu
Monticello Team 18
- 2019 Yewell Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- King Trumpet Parmesan Tartlet
- Chefs: Madeline Goodman, Santa Barbara; Timothy Chapman, Huntsville AL; Perry Kirkendoll, Redwood City
Rombauer Team 19
- 2019 Stice Lane Cabernet Sauvignon
- Bleu Pasture Bite
- Chefs: Wren Chapin, Walla Walla; Declan Ceszynski, Appleton WI
Panek Vineyards Team 20
- 2018 Panek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chicken Foie Gras Vol au Vent
- Chefs : Logan Tucker, Tucson ; Vyrenne Salvo, Mableton GA ; Ozzy Minard, Port Angeles WA
Charles Krug Team 21
- 2023 Limited Release Rose
- Savory Strawberry Canape
- Chefs : Berkley Huston-Resendez, Merced; Jesse Barfield, Paxton IL; Jason Malecki, San Jose
Salvestrin Team 22
- 2023 Salvestrin Sauvignon Blanc
- Charred Octopus with Salsa Macheteada with Pureed Vegetables
- Chefs: Henry Bryant, Hemet; Sophia Faucett, Las vegas ; Cheyenne Morones, Perris CA
Buena Vista Winery Team 23
- 2021 Château Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena
- Indian Berry Wonton
- Chefs: Krish Todekar, India; Juan Montano, Poway; Ciro Medina-Mendoza, New Germany MN
AXR Napa Valley Team 24
- 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Charred Beef Tartare with Winter Citrus, Shio Koji and Black Truffle Aioli
- Chefs: Antonio Hernandez, Seattle; Kaleb Grunin, Brewster MA; Schuyler Berger, Kingston WA
Varozza Vineyards Team 25
- 2017 Bloodline Proprietary Red Blend
- Une Bouchee Partaite
- Chefs: Kyle Kennedy, Seattle; Ryan Gomez, Philippines; Liam Futterman, New York
