The days just keep getting better.  This isn’t just a vacation for Ted and myself made possible by the California Raisin Bread Contest sponsors but it is a complete and enjoyable learning experience.

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The day began with a lecture by James E. Painter, Ph.D. R.D. Nutrition Research Director, the California Raisin Marketing Board.  Enlightening and most amusing. The best lecture we have attended in a long time.  The topic was Natural vs. Un Natural Fruits, The untold story of added sugar.  More info on that later in a separate post.

Following the lecture, we enjoyed the Fresno Food Expo.  WOW!  Talk about a foodies paradise! 

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There were WAY too many samples to taste.  Fresh olive oils, vinegars, cheeses, sweets, chocolate, cookies.  Packaging companies,marketing companies, all sorts of connections made available for people in the food industry.

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P DE Q, = a delicious tapioca based cheese bread with a unique texture.  Available frozen, you bake it and serve it fresh to the delight of customers, friends, family.  Ted and I loved these little delights so much, we brought a tray home.   Original flavor (cheddar, parmesan), Jalapeno, Carrot Raisins (SO GOOD), and chocolate.

We had such fun…with a giant Taco whose cheese was hanging out all over the place.

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I tried goat milk for the first time.  It wasn’t bad. In fact, it was down right good.  Summer Hill Dairy Company

We hated to leave the expo but a trip to the raisin packers was on schedule.  No photos were allowed.  The rules were strictly enforced due to sanitation reasons.  Hair nets, no jewelry (rings and things off), all required for our tour through the facility.  We saw raisins from the field, washed, sorted, and processed.  There were also prunes going through the process.  We all snagged a wonderful grab bag of gifts from National Raisin.

Then it was on to lunch.  Ted had mentioned how he had a craving for Mexican and his wish was granted. 

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Another delicious meal. Mexican fish tacos for this foodie.  Fresh and filling but not too spicy.

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Then it was on to the growers.

Circle K Ranch – dried fruits and nuts.  Peach trees galore!

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Another learning experience which made this trip all the more worth while.

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Now it was a long trip to Calistoga where we would spend two nights enjoying wine country.  It was a long, bumpy ride but we made it in time for more eating. Dinner at Calistoga Inn. 

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Atlantic Salmon with fresh vegetables. 

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What a great wrap up to another fantastic day.   I had an early appointment with the road and my sneakers in the morning so it was off to bed from here.

At this point, I don’t want to get home. California just keeps getting better.

Next up:  The Culinary Institute of America Greystone. 

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