Top tweets

We are just tweeting away these days and having a blast doing it. Follow Savor California to get tips on products, recipes, and more.

This Savor California tweets got the most responses recently:

Chef Janine Falvo of the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar in Sonoma tops summer vegetable ragout with Sonoma Artisan Foie Gras Duck Breast (pictured below).

Other top tweets:

Carne Asada using Nick Ranch Organic Flank Steak, a grill favorite.

Portuguese in Hawaii? Historical fact. Portuguese Hawaiian Sausages from Sonoma Sausage? Yummy on the barbie.

So fresh! Mrs. A's Salsa Buena. Salsas are authentic -- so is Leah Aguayo. Knows her way around chopped tomato, cilantro.

San Francisco Professional Food Society Annual BBQ

When the members of the San Francisco Professional Food Society get together for their annual barbecue on August 22, it's quite the foodie bash.

Beginning with an Appetizer Tasting, followed by the Barbecue Buffet, and ending with a selection of desserts, the entire menu is all provided by companies from SavorCalifornia.com.

Beverages will include wines from the Graziano Family of Wines and beers from North Coast Brewery, as well as non-alcoholic beverages from Savor California.

The centerpiece of the barbecue will be Brandt Beef, serving up their dry-rub beef brisket sliders and their ribs with North Coast Brewery�s Brother Thelonius BBQ Sauce.

If you�re in the greater Bay Area and aren�t a member yet. Join up!

Happy 50th, Valley Fig Growers!

Many of the original grower families are still part of this Central Valley cooperative. Figs are a convenient, sweet, richly-flavored way to obtain your dietary fiber, calcium, potassium and iron, so munch away!

What's new

New since the last issue of "Savory News" �

Amella Caramels, above
Chocoveda

Olson�s Airport Kiosk

Flying into or out of San Jose International Airport just got a lot tastier. Whether you need a snack for yourself or a gourmet California gift, you�ll find it at the C. J. Olson Cherries kiosk in the Southwest Terminal. Pictured are Deborah Olson and her father Charlie at the kiosk.

Nora Ephron, Writer and Director of �Julie & Julia�

The food world is abuzz with the movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.

In her inimitable style, Writer/Directory Nora Ephron commented in an interview for Gourmet Magazine:

"I don�t think any day is worth living without thinking about what you�re going to eat next at all times."

We couldn't agree more!

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

There's a new edition of Julia Child's famous book, and used copies of the first edition can be found, at a price.

Julia Child's wisdom

"What do you really like to do?" asked her husband.

"Eat," said Julia Child.

"Eat what?" we ask.

�The only time to eat diet food is while you�re waiting for the steak to cook.�
-- Chef, Author Julia Child

Summer Pies

One of our favorite ways to eat the summer�s bountiful crop of berries and other fruit is in a pie. If you don't want to make one yourself, here are a couple of delicious solutions.

Sweet Earth Natural Foods' pies are delicious and nutritious. All crusts are made in house with organic whole wheat flour. Five of the seven pies are vegan (no animal products) and none of the pies have hydrogenated oils or transfats. Triple Berry Cobbler shown above.

C. J. Olson Cherries�s fresh Bing cherries and a flaky crust combine for the world�s best cherry pie (above). The 6" pie is available for shipping all year round. Other sizes are available in the stand only, along with their Blenheim Apricot Pies.

Giving back

The companies of Savor California are incredibly generous to their local communities. Just a few examples of how they give back:

Gourmet auction items are always welcome at fundraisers. Mrs. A's Salsa Buena donates to Western Services, helping farm workers with basic needs. Elaine's Toffee Co. hands out toffee at events for the Contra Costa Food Bank. Mendocino Mustard supports the local Cancer Resource Center. Healdsburg Toffee Company contributes to �Pigs & Pinot,� Charlie Palmer�s fundraiser for Share Our Strength. Vignette Wine Country Soda, Sartain's Menu, and Judy's Breadsticks, aka Lovesticks support local education and arts organizations.

A gift of a gourmet item can bring cheer into difficult lives. Happy Chocolates gives to the Downtown Women�s Center in LA. Agave Dream serves their ice cream at the family picnics put on by Las Madrecitas and the LA Childrens Orthopedic Hospital. Bella Chi-Cha products are served at St Francis Kitchen in Santa Cruz.

La Tourangelle gives through City Harvest. Mendocino Mustard and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese donate to food banks in their areas. Napa Valley Fudge gives to Project Open Hand. the girl & the fig gives donations from their proceeds, and Cypress Grove Chevre donates locally in the areas of women, youth and education. Deb Deb�s owners cook at the local homeless shelter. Redwood Hill Farm gives to Community Support Network, which serves the mentally ill homeless in Sonoma County.

Meyenberg Goat Milk gives to children in need through the Women Infant & Children organization. Produce from Skipstone Ranch�s organic garden is donated to Ceres, which creates gourmet meals for cancer patients and their families.