Chef John Ash Kicks Off the Holidays on Dec. 5

Kick off your holidays on Thursday, Dec. 5, with Fresh Starts Chef Events and Chef John Ash, a two-time James Beard Award-winner and leader in creating Wine Country culinary style. Your evening includes a glass of bubbly to toast the festive season.

The chef began his Wine Country history as founder of the acclaimed John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa. He's currently an instructor at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and has written several top-reviewed cookbooks along with co-hosting the weekly "Good Food Hour" on KSRO radio. His menu:

• Housemade Hummus, Seasonal Pickles & Artisan Bread
• Crab & Cauliflower Soup with Bacon & Wild Mushrooms
• Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, Soft Polenta & Crispy Kale
• Apple Olive Oil Cake with Lemon Custard Sauce

The menu will be accompanied by select wines from Leghorn Wine Company, a boutique producer of Pinot Noir and other wines in the Petaluma Gap.

Chef John, a passionate advocate of seasonal cooking, has been crowned “Cooking School Teacher of the Year” by the International Association of Culinary Professionals and “Sustainable Seafood Educator of the Year” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

We'll have copies on hand of "Culinary Birds: The Ultimate Poultry Cookbook," which won a 2014 James Beard Foundation Book Award. Get a personal autograph just in time for holiday giving!

Make reservations online or call 415-382-3363 x243 for more details. All proceeds support shelter, housing and training programs at Homeward Bound of Marin. Thanks to our premier sponsor, The Republic of Tea.