WBC 09: The Real CIA is in Napa
The real CIA, the CIA that I really appreciate, operates undercover and without weapons around the world making it a better place, a safer place–for our palates.
That’s where I am right now–sitting in the third floor of this wonderfully appointed old stone building, enjoying fresh warm stratas (a crustless quiche kind of thing) and fresh warm delightfully crisp flaky croissants.
We came over the mountains from Santa Rosa on the windy, scenic road in a series of large shuttle buses. Even though it is still mid-summer, the drought in California is bring fall color early to the hillsides, mixing in gold with the green, with poison oak flashing red here and there.
Then winding up the stairs three floors and into this hall at the CIA. Lots and lots of winding. Too much for my sensitive stomach!
This CIA is the Culinary Institute of America, a non-profit culinary school which if not the best school, aspires to be the best. Among other classes they offer a $750 tasting of french wines with Robert M. Parker, Jr. At that price, you can expect some impressive wine and company–and $500 goes to the CIA.
15% preferred pricing for attendees at the WBC 09.