Guest Chef Dinner Series

Guest Chef Dinner Series - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Since 1990 JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery has celebrated the joys of food and wine by inviting some of America’s most celebrated chefs to visit the winery and display their talents. JUSTIN Wine Society members are presented the first opportunity to sign up for these events but they are open to one and all. ALL Guest Chef Dinners are held at JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery. You must hurry though, because reservations fill up quickly. Just contact us and we'll be happy to reserve a seat for you! Following is the year’s line-up:

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Zinfandel Festival

Friday, March 18, 2011
Chef Kent Rathbun of Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen – Dallas, TX

Kent Rathbun is a Bear Award-nominated American chef and restauranteur. In 1997, Rathburn decided to follow his dream, draw on his eclectic and distinctive style, and establish his own world-class restaurant. Rathbun's Blue Plate Kitchen, the newest restaurant creation of Abacus and Jasper's Executive Chef and Partner Kent Rathbun, is already on its way to establishing itself as the Mecca of affordable, casual cusine for the Dallas area. A new dimension to the Rathbun family of highly-esteemed restaurants, his Blue Plate Kitchen is inspired by traditional family recipes and the Chef's desire to establish a new conduit in food preparation and execution.

Paso Robles Wine Festival

Friday, May 20, 2011
Chef Barbara Lynch of No. 9 Park – Boston, MA

James Beard Award-winner Barbara Lynch is regarded as one of Boston's, and the country's leading chefs and restaurateurs. During her early twenties Barbara worked under some of Boston's greatest culinary talents including Chef Todd English. She became Executive Chef at Galleria Italiana, bringing national acclaim by capturing Food & Wine's "Ten Best New Chefs in America" award. In 2003, The James Beard Foundation named her "Best Chef Northeast" and Travel 7 Leisure proclaimed No. 9 one of the "Top 50 Restaurants in America." No. 9 provides an intimate, European-scale setting in which to enjoy Chef Barbara Lynch's refined cuisine. Menu

Central Coast Wine Classic

Friday, July 8, 2011
Chef Chris Kobayashi of Artisan Restaurant – Paso Robles, CA

Chris attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, graduating in 2002 at the top of his class. In addition, he also earned a certificate in Baking and Pastry at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley. He has extensive culinary experience from Asia de Cuba at Clift Hotel, Roy’s in San Francisco and Brix in Napa Valley.  Artisan Restaurant is located in the Central Coast wine region of Paso Robles, California. They proudly support this community whole heartedly in their wine list.  Their seasonal menu combines the very best of the superb local fare by way of time honored techniques to bring you a particularly American Bistro experience.

JUSTIN Wine Society Gala

Friday, August 5, 2011
Chef Matt Dillon of Sitka & Spruce – Seattle, WA
Nominated as one of Food & Wine Magazine’s annual list of America's Best New Chefs in 2007, Chef Matt Dillon was one of 10 chefs from across the country chosen out of hundreds of nominees.Dillon, who cooked at The Herbfarm and Stumbling Goat Bistro before opening Sitka & Spruce, is known for his philosophy that excellent food requires neither a rarefied venue nor esoteric markup. Sitka & Spruce is an affordable, eclectic restaurant that is world-famous for its small menu featuring local farm-fresh foods. Chef/Owner Matt Dillon's preparations revolve around simple, clear, lovely flavors; sauces are sparing, nothing's overwrought, and insanely fresh produce meets again and again with the utmost care.

Paso Robles Harvest Wine Weekend

Friday, October 21, 2011
Chef Ris Lacoste of RIS – Washington, DC
For the last decade Ris Lacoste has served as executive chef of Georgetown’s celebrated 1789 Restaurant. Her innovative regional American fare drew national attention and earned numerous awards, including those from Wine Spectator, The Washington Post, Washingtonian, as well as nomination from the legendary James Beard Foundation (JBF). RIS is the incarnation of Lacoste’s personal style, sensibility and in every manner of speaking, taste. Her latest and most personal venture is the culmination of a delicious career. Couple her sophisticated pedigree with a deep-rooted dedication to the community, keen understanding of genuine hospitality, and a most unique vision, and therein evolved RIS.