After having such a fabulous time at the Tasting Pavilion – I really thought the “highlight” of my trip had already occurred.  But don’t worry – Foodbuzz still had a trick up there sleeve!

After getting ready – the girls had tried to arrange for a cab to pick us up and take us over the Greenleaf Produce Warehouse for our final dinner, and awards ceremony.  Turns out – it’s cheaper to get a limo than it is to get a cab.   Why not arrive in style? 

We are kind of a big deal. 

The warehouse was full of fresh produce, everywhere you looked:

and also had a 250 person long table!!!!

The dinner was put on by Outstanding in the Field, and if you haven’t heard about them before – I HIGHLY suggest you check out their website!  The entire concept and execution of what they do is PHENOMENAL!!!!

Since our limo got us there early, I was able to sneak a few pictures of the set up:

and enjoy a glass of vino!

With the table being long enough for 250 people, it was quite a hike to get to the other side.  Meghann took things into her own hands!  Love the way she thinks!!

Not sure what was going on here – these were some shrimp/fry/pork rind/cracker things:

Fabulous blogging friends! 

After snapping lots of pictures – it was finally time to sit down and eat!!

Course I – Ahi tonnato on pain de mie with gochukaru and parsley (aka pickled vegetables.)

Course II- Mushroom dahi, maitake, shimeji, enoki mushrooms (Stole this picture from Brittany because my camera died right before Course II!)

If you’ve read my blog before – you know there are 2 things I do NOT like to eat.  1 – BANANAS, 2 – MUSHROOMS!  But the thing is here – I just couldn’t pass up trying these new things!    I didn’t LOVE the soup, but I also didn’t mind it.  The mushrooms in it were way milder than any others I’ve tried before!  When in Rome San Fran, right? 

Bonny Doon supplied us with all the wonderful wine – and the winemaker, himself,  came to chat with us:

Course III- Udon, grilled monterey calamari in a browned butter ponzu reduction, cucumber, kaiware, frisee & yellow pear tomato with chojang & sesame vinaigrette.

Do you think I liked it? 

This really might have been my favorite dish of the trip!  All the flavors combined so well, and I loved the fact that I was eating calamari that hadn’t been fried!  (Side note – I am a HUGE failure when it comes to eating with chopsticks!)

Bloggers in action!

Course IV & V: Sea trout baked with dashikombu, fried garlic and Japanese curry powder and a mushroom risotto with koshihkan rice, crispy maitake mushroom.

They had to substitute salmon for sea trout – but that was fine with me!  I’m sure it would have been delicious either way! 

My favorite drink of the evening came next – Bonny Doon 2005 Le Cigare Volant – YUM, YUM, YUM!

Not only were we spoiled at the dinner table – but we were spoiled in the ladies room as well!  EO Products supplied us with all sorts of amazing smelling hand lotion, soap and bubble bath!  Miss Ashley modeling the products:

Another amazing course: Course VI – Roasted brussel sprouts with ponzu fried garlic

I was lucky enough to sit next to Brad, the founder/CEO of EO Products!

Thanks for trying to teach me how to use chopsticks! (and for all the San Fran sight seeing tips – we totally took your advice for our Sunday adventures!)

If you guys haven’t heard of them/checked them out before – I highly recommend their products!  I’m in love with the Lavender Hand Lotion!

Last, but certainly not least – Course VII: Soy Braised beef cheeks and oxtails, baby carrots, and fingerling potato, OB beer and denjang demi

All totally amazing!  Like I said before, some of it was not stuff I might not normally eat – but I really couldn’t say “no” – not on vacation!  You just HAVE to be adventurous!! 

Dessert was some pear thing – I didn’t have any – I opted for an extra glass of wine!    Here’s a picture of Quinn’s dessert though! 

Then they announced all of the award winners – which I must say – a few lovely ladies I know cleaned up on! 

I had an absolutely amazing time – the food was phenomenal, and it was a fabulous experience getting to meet (in person!!) so many women I admire!!! 

When we got back to the hotel – a bunch of us grabbed a drink in the bar, and when I heard Tina order a dirty martini – I decided that sounded just delicious!

Delicious – it was!!!  But I was ready for bed about 2 minutes after finishing it! 

One last Foodbuzz Festival post for you, and then regular blogging resumes tomorrow!!