Christopher Ranch

As 2009 nears its close, bracing to pass the baton to 2010, chefs and culinary experts alike are reflecting on 2009’s culinary influences and speculating about the impending year.
California heirloom garlic, interestingly enough, is on par with the majority of emerging trends.
Nutrition, sustainability and locally sourced ingredients are three concepts predicted to take precedence in 2010, according to the “What’s Hot in 2010? survey conducted by the American Culinary Federation.
Staf Chefs – a publication for the culinary world – released its 2009 Trends Report, highlighting such notions as “in-house” creation, “street food inside,” “pastry chefs emerging from the ashes,” “Bahn Mi blow up” and many more.
Finally, The Food Channel released its top-10 list for the new decade, reinforcing several ACF and Star Chef trends, while providing its own spin, including:
*Keeping It Real - The idea of reintroducing basic ingredients that will provide chefs – in restaurants and at home – with a high-quality, fresh, functional base to start from. Home cooking will continue increasing, and thus, people striving to create scrumptious, healthy food. However, the meaning of basic ingredients is likely to morph – rather than a tomato, perhaps an heirloom tomato? Rather than a mushroom, an enoki mushroom? (The same is true for California heirloom garlic.)
*Experimentation Nation - Restaurant overpopulation is facilitating a need for differentiation when eating out. The days of playing it safe are gone – consumers appear ready for a new approach, and restaurants are daring to distinguish. Taco trucks, gastropubs, fusion dining and communal tables are among the new faces of dining. In other words, eating out of a truck and sharing food are no longer passé.
*More In Store – The grocery store is revamping its style and selection, catering to an on-the-go lifestyle that is looking for flavorful, healthful “fast food” and fresh options. See delis, takeout sections and the modern-day butcher claim a renaissance, while the consumer brings back daily shopping, seeking fresher products and creativity in their cooking. Stores will likely begin appealing to the older generation, with larger aisles for mobile chairs, and the multi-generational use of social networking – like Twitter – will give stores increased instantaneous exposure. Stores like Whole Foods, HEB Central Markets and Ralph’s have found success in establishing an efficient deli/to-go area, with a plethora of delicious, healthy and convenient options. Watch out McDonald’s and Subway.
*American, The New Ethnic - A more global philosophy is sweeping the American pallet, with a bolstered desire for infusions from Africa, Japan and Asia, in addition to the traditional influences from Mexico, Italy and China. The melting pot that is the U.S. is truly beginning to show in menu options and will continue to do so in 2010. (California heirloom garlic is a popular, versatile ingredient for all cuisines.)
*Food Vetting – People are finally grasping the importance of food, where it comes from, how it was made and what steps it took to get to their plate. Are there pesticides? Were animals treated humanely? Fair labor? Any hormones? Organic? These are questions consumers will be asking, and those who want to meet newfound demands better have answers. (Christopher Ranch keeps its pesticide and fertilizer use below standard levels, abides by fair labor practices, including minimum wage regulation, and farms organically. We love to vet.)
*Mainstreaming Sustainability - Sustainability has been the “it” word for a few years, but, if you’re like me, there’s a good chance you didn’t really grasp the term for at least a year. Well, the idea of reducing waste, enhancing environmentally friendly practices and doing our part to create a better society has taken hold. Businesses are starting to make sustainable changes because it’s the right thing to do – as opposed to marketing advantages – and consumers are looking for sustainability in their dining and shopping decisions. Time to ride the green wave. (Christopher Ranch follows a comprehensive sustainable program throughout all levels of operations – read more here.)
*Food With Benefits - People traditionally like any “free” perks they can get, and their food is no different – especially if it’s a nutritional perk. Food with added nutrients – like probiotic-filled yogurt – or free of anything deemed harmful – such as preservatives and gluten – are on track to be mega hits among consumers. Awareness of food-related health issues has encouraged consumers to seek increased nutritional value from their food. (California heirloom garlic is 100% natural and FREE of any preservatives.)
*I Want My Umami – Umami, what? The flavor sense has been awakened and umami – a savory taste (considered the fifth flavor beyond bitter, sour, sweet and salty) naturally found in meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products – is becoming a fan favorite. As foodies – newly defined as someone who loves the culture of food – become more widespread, they also are becoming more adventurous in their quest for innovative flavors and food combinations. (The bold, sweet, smooth flavor of California heirloom garlic can enhance the flavor of nearly any dish – at least we think so.)
*Will Trade For Food - The days of bartering for goods along the Oregon Trail are upon us. The poor economy and technology spike – making people and products more accessible – have encouraged a barter-exchange system, wherein people are swapping skill and time for food – and the other way around. Companies like BizXchange are even redefining traditional monetary exchange with “trade dollars.” Hmmm….thanks for mowing the lawn – here’s a box of garlic. Not a bad idea.
*I, Me, Mine - We’ve been told we are our own best friends, and the Food Channel’s final trend caters to that concept. The rise of the individual – the personalized cupcake, creating our own wine, making our own breads, etc. – is paving the way for personal gratification. Nothing wrong with a selfish mentality, every now and then – particularly when it comes to eating.

It’s the advent of a new decade, and the culinary world is storming the globe like never before. Stay tuned to see which trends thrive – and how Christopher Ranch meets these concepts. The upcoming year is going to be an interesting, innovative, crazy ride, and we’re looking forward to it.

Happy New Year!

The Obamas hosted their first official state dinner last night in the White House garden, and fresh vegetables were a key ingredient. The menu was created by First Lady Michelle Obama, White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford, and NY celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson as a tribute to the best of American Cooking.
Some of the highlights included a potato and eggplant salad with arugula and onion seed vinaigrette; roasted potato dumplings with tomato chutney, chickpeas, and okra; and green curry prawns with caramelized salsify, smoked collard greens, and coconut aged basmati rice.
Most of the ingredients were sourced from local farmers and purveyors. The White House garden provided fresh arugula for the salad as well as mint and lemon verbena for garnish. Chefs even used honey from the White House beehive to make some of the desserts.
Nutrition and healthy eating has been a top priority for First Lady Michelle Obama since the family moved into the White House, and one of her first projects was the creation of a vegetable garden on the South Lawn with the help of local school kids. The garden covers 1,100 square feet and features 55 different vegetables used by White House chefs to feed the first family or host official dinners.
Since ground was broken on the “first garden” in March, it has been applauded by proponents of sustainable agriculture by American farmers.
No word yet on whether the garden includes any garlic plantings, but we sure would be glad to run a truck up to Pennsylvania Avenue to deliver fresh, flavorful, and wholesome California-grown garlic!

There is a contentious water problem raging throughout California’s San Joaquin Valley – an area that produces a major portion of domestic food – that pits environmental protection against domestic agriculture and food supply.

The problem being – water is scarce. And, becoming increasingly scarce, as multiple contenders – farmers, residents and endangered fish – vie for the same water reserve.

Opinions vary on who is depleting the supply and who deserves a greater piece, but one thing is clear – the supply is waning steadily and has critical, far-reaching implications on, not only California’s farmers and the American food supply, but the California and American economy, the environment and ultimately – the American consumer.

Without water, crops obviously cannot grow in California, and California is the only state where many of these crops are capable of growing. Therefore, numerous farmers could be forced out of business, and their respective crops could be reduced or eliminated. We’ve already witnessed significant cutbacks.

Domestic crop reduction could potentially burden the American consumer in several ways.

For starters, if these crops are not grown in California, U.S. consumers will either go without them or will be forced to rely on foreign countries for these fruits, vegetables, etc. In some cases, imported crops are more expensive than domestic produce and some pose a greater food safety risk than domestic produce, as foreign safety standards often aren’t as stringent as those in the U.S. Imported products also compromise freshness, flavor and the environment.

However, endangered fish apparently need this water, too. Hence, where do we go from here?

A little background might help.

Differing Views

- The California water crisis stems largely from environmental restrictions that have ceased water supplies flowing into the San Joaquin Valley – to famers and residents – from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (a conveyance system many call antiquated), in order to redirect it to the endangered delta smelt fish, many say.

San Joaquin’s farmers have faced water reductions for multiple years, but the recent move to turn off the delta pumps mean San Joaquin farmers are now receiving only 10% of the water supply they were previously allocated. And, previous water supplies were marginal, considering farmers south of the delta received only half of what they anticipated in 2007, and 40% in 2008 (due to federal mandates), said Lester Snow, director of the California Department of Water Resources, in a Los Angeles Times article.

Tom Birmingham, general manager of the Westlands Water District, said 1 million acres of almonds, tomatoes, lettuce, grapes and other commodities are “in a crisis” due to environmental regulations, according to an article on the San Diego News Network.

- On the other hand, biologists say the health of the delta smelt – a 2- to 3-inch fish – indicates the overall health of the ecosystem, including other fish species, like striped bass, longfin smelt, threadfin shad and Chinook salmon, according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle. (Likely why the federal government is on the brink of implementing further water restrictions to protect the Chinook salmon, the steelhead and other fish, with estimates predicting further eradication of 500,000 acre-feet of water, according to an article in The Washington Times.)

- Others claim California’s three-year drought is to blame for the water reduction.

- Still, some environmentalists say the agricultural industry needs to operate more efficiently and learn to use water more conservatively.

Numbers show, however, that California’s limited water supply is causing economic catastrophes, particularly scaled-back crop production (due to lack of water and, thus, higher water costs) and rising unemployment (fewer farms and, thus, farm jobs).

According to estimates by agricultural and business groups, 250,000 acres of farmland are dying or inactive. Agricultural production from California’s Central Valley is projected to drop by between $1 billion and $3 billion this year, compared to last, as stated in The Washington Times article.

These are critical numbers, considering California’s Central Valley provides “94% of America’s tomatoes, 93% of our broccoli, 89% of our carrots, 86% of our garlic, 78% of our lettuce, 90% of our strawberries and 88% of our grapes…just to name a few,” said South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint, in an article on KMJNow.

Minimal Solutions

While solutions are being proposed from government, farmers, environmentalists and the general public, finger pointing, as well as a seeming lack of understanding among parties, remains, allowing for no consensus.

- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack promised California farmers he’d work towards solutions to resolve the water dilemma. But how? And when? And who receives the brunt?

- Senator DeMint suggested an amendment to the Interior Appropriations Act for 2010, stalling funding for one year for the two environmental restrictions that caused the delta pumps to be turned off. Doing so would allow farmers to replenish their lands, plant crops and put people to work, while providing lawmakers additional time to determine an answer to the problem, according to the KMJNow article. The Senate rejected his plan.

- A study entitled – “California Water 2030: An Efficient Future” – conducted by The Pacific Institute details a High Efficiency plan for water savings that conserves significantly more water than the status quo. It relies on farmers adopting more efficient water programs and transitioning to higher-valued crops, with the belief the “price farmers receive for particular crops remains the same.” As a result, the “High Efficiency scenario assumes that improvements in irrigation efficiency do not increase total yields, but rather that farmers capture the savings by reducing total water demand.” Great in theory, but switching to more efficient programs is costly, and crop prices do not stay consistent year round, as there are several variables – besides water – to consider.

- The Pacific Legal Foundation presented a “Save Our Water” petition with 12,000 signatures, asking Governor Schwarzenegger to request the federal government summon the federal Endangered Species Committee, aka the “God Squad,” to eliminate the water restrictions. The God Squad, though rarely utilized, is a clause within the Endangered Species Act, allowing the committee to overrule species protection in the cases of economic emergency, according to The Washington Times article. Both Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Lester Snow discouraged that idea.

Obviously, there is no simple conclusion, but, ideally, a decision needs to be reached that protects American farmers, American food, American consumers, the American economy and the country’s environment. If that can’t be brokered, it comes down to what’s more important for the greater population – domestic food and jobs or endangered fish? Hopefully, we don’t have to choose.