Northern California

Surprise Dinner on Alcatraz Island! Can you come up with something to WOW our guests? At ACCESS Northern California and ACCESS Wine Country we hear that all the time, and the answer is an emphatic, "YES!" Through our long-standing relationships and cutting edge creativity, we routinely deliver the WOW that is demanded in today's marketplace.

A perfect example is a recently completed event where ACCESS Northern California "rented" Alcatraz Island for an amazing private dinner for just 28 guests. In a suspense filled plan, guests boarded a custom hybrid ferry in picturesque Sausalito and sailed right past Alcatraz, docking at the San Francisco Ferry Terminal. Instead of heading into the City for dinner as is common practice, guests were surprised to learn that one more person would be joining them for their dinner. With that, the daughter of one of Alcatraz's wardens was introduced to the group and, for the 30 minute sail to Alcatraz, she regaled them with tales of growing up on "The Rock."

Upon arrival, the guests were led on an exclusive "behind the scenes" tour of the prison led by a National Park Service Ranger. This once-in-a-lifetime tour provided guests with some of the most intimate details of life on the Island and its famous inhabitants. Still not knowing what to expect during the evening, the guests were escorted into the prison's hospital, where the Spartan space had been elegantly transformed into an amazing dinner venue for a spectacular gourmet feast.

Following dinner, guests boarded the ferry back to Sausalito armed with memories that will last a lifetime! Exactly the WOW that the client had ordered from ACCESS Northern California!

Contact the team at ACCESS Northern California and ACCESS Wine Country to put the WOW into your next conference, meeting or incentive travel program.

Los Angeles

On the Menu! With all the media hype, it's no surprise that America is fascinated with Celebrity Chefs. So, where are all those Top Chefs and Iron Chefs? In Los Angeles, of course! At least a good number of them are here. Some are businessmen who have opened their own hot new restaurants and some have joined the ranks at established eateries. The publicity garnered by these individuals feeds the excitement and popularity of food, dining and food-related events in and around Los Angeles on a non-stop basis.

Here's some scoop on where some of your TV favorites are now. After winning Top Chef, native New Yorker, Ilan Hall waited a bit before opening The Gorbals in downtown Los Angeles, a locale chosen based on the area's large sense of community. Chef Rick Bayless, known for his cookbooks and for his PBS series, Mexico - One Plate at a Time, has opened Red O on Melrose Avenue, serving up both authentic Mexican and lighter California-style dishes. Interior highlights include a retractable glass roof, event space, a tequila lounge, and a 25' long fireplace bar. Marcel Vigneron, who placed just behind Ilan Hall in Season 2's Top Chef, signed on to cook at the new Bar210 and Plush, a dual lounge and nightclub located in the old Trader Vic's space at the Beverly Hilton. This Tom Ford-designed venue fills the need for a late-night dance club in Beverly Hills.

Over in Hollywood, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is set to open Live where he plans to serve simple, affordable "market cuisine" that centers around a live, custom-built Brazilian-style rotisserie and grill. Upstairs, the restaurant will feature banquet rooms and other private dining spaces. Top Chef alum Stefan Richter, after opening Stefan's at LA Farm, is at it again. He has opened a second Santa Monica restaurant, Stefan's on Montana. Talk about town is that he has plans for a third restaurant as well to be located on the other side of town. In his West Coast debut, Michelin-rated chef Gordon Ramsay brings his inspiring cuisine to California with Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood featuring an exquisite fine dining menu with seasonal, fresh local produce and subtle Asian influences. Talk to the ACCESS team about how to make the best use of restaurants and other dining establishments throughout the greater Los Angeles area!

How is LA's passion for food and cooking expressing itself in our programs? For starters, the ACCESS Los Angeles team has put together some new regional walking food tours for a true taste of the town. Allow us to custom-design an epicurean experience for your guests. Interactive wine blending and sushi making events with popular area experts are becoming top rated activities by our groups. With the premier of TLC's "DC Cupcakes," it didn't take long for the cupcake craze to hit L.A. Cupcakes make the ideal desserts because they are visually appealing individual treats and comfort food at the same time. How about a cupcake decorating teambuilding event or a cupcake dessert buffet with do-it-yourself toppings?

Stay tuned to future issues of The ACCESS Advantage as the ACCESS Los Angeles team brings you more on culinary trends and programs that are perfect for event inclusions during your conferences, meetings, and incentive travel programs to the Los Angeles area. Call us today!

Photos represent the Beverly Hilton's Tom Ford-designed Bar 210 and Plush, event space under construction at Live in Hollywood, and Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood.

Spice it up with ACCESS

Luxury Guacamole Bar
Sure to be a hit, this recipe is courtesy of Chef Rick Bayless from Season 7's Mexico - One Plate at a Time.

Makes 4 cups, serving 12 as part of a party

Ingredients:

Guacamole
- 6 garlic cloves
- 6 medium-large (2 1/2 pounds) ripe avocados
- 1/2 cup (loosely packed) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (thick bottom stems cut off)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus a little more if necessary
Salt

Garnishes, Chips and Bread
- 3/4 cup (about 3 ounces) Mexican queso fresco or queso anejo or other garnishing cheese like salted pressed farmer's cheese, firm goat cheese, mild feta or romano, finely crumbled or grated
- 3/4 cup (about 3 ounces) toasted pumpkin seeds
- 3/4 cup sliced "nacho ring" pickled jalapenos (you'll need half of an 11-ounce can)
- 3/4 cup (about 2 ounces) coarsely crumbled chicharron (Mexican crisp-fried pork rind) -or-
- 1/2 cup crumbled, crisp-fried bacon (you'll need to start with 2 to 3 medium-thick bacon slices)
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds large, sturdy chips (preferably homemade or from a local tortilla factory) or small (2-3 inch) tostadas -or-
- 2 baguettes (about 1 pound each), diagonally sliced 1/2 inch thick, brushed with olive oil and toasted on a grill or under a broiler

Directions:

1. Make the Roasted Garlic Guacamole. In a small dry skillet over medium heat, roast the unpeeled garlic until it is soft and blackened in spots, 10 - 15 minutes. Cool, then slip off the papery skins and finely chop. Cut around each avocado from stem to blossom end and back up again, then twist the halves apart. Dislodge the pit and scoop the avocado flesh into a large bowl. Add the garlic, cilantro and lime. Coarsely mash everything together. Taste and season with salt, usually about 1 teaspoon. Scoop into its serving bowl and cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

2. Serve the Luxury Guacamole Bar. Scoop the garnishes into small serving bowls and the chips and bread into a large basket or bowl. Set out everything - put spoons in all the preparations for your guests to enjoy, encouraging them to spoon a little guacamole on a toast or chip, top with a garnish that appeals.

Enjoy!