AboutWilliam Conde Expertise I wish to serve as a sort of guide to the North Bay area, with extensive experience in Sonoma County proper, and abilities to help with more general questions regarding the Marin and Napa County areas. For questions regarding what the area is like, what to bring, where to stay, etc., I'm eager and capable to help bring forth solutions to your regional queries.
Please note that while I can suggest many wineries to visit in the area, there are so many to choose from that I wouldn't be able to answer questions about each and every one. I can also suggest non-winery-related sights to see and locales to visit, depending on whatever sort of vacation, business trip, or other excursion you may have in mind.
Also, I am not a wine expert (I don't drink alcohol), so please don't ask me specific questions about such-and-such labels of wine.
Experience I have lived in the Sonoma County region for 10 years and wish to help others understand and appreciate the unique experience that is being part of this area. I am goal-oriented and love to help "fill in the gaps," so to speak, of the plans and ideas of those who are considering visiting this beautiful region.
Education/Credentials Licensed Pharmacy Technician; B.S. degree in Chemistry (Biochemistry Emphasis).
Expert: William Conde Date: 3/9/2007 Subject: Private Dinner
Question Mr. Conde
I'm planning a trip with about six friends to Sonoma this May. We will be renting a home together and I'd like to have a dinner prepared for us on Saturday night. Are there Culinary Schools in the area to have a student chef come and prepare our meal for a fee?
Thank you,
Roy
Answer Dear Roy,
It took a bit of research--the two culinary academies I knew of didn't have the advertised option of having a chef come to you, even though they had their own restaurants on campus--but I believe I've located an option for you to look into. Relish Culinary Academy, located in Healdsburg, can be contacted at (877) 759-1004, or you can visit their site at www.relishculinary.com to look into their options. Please bear in mind that Healdsburg is a fair distance from Sonoma, and as such you may be looking at a fairly large expense for your evening's meal.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact the schools to see if a willing student can be located (I presume there are many who would jump at the opportunity to practice their skills, if they were asked); schools I can recommend are Ramekins in Sonoma (www.ramekins.com), Santa Rosa Junior College's Culinary Academy (www.santarosa.edu), or the Culinary Institute of America's school at Greystone (http://www.ciachef.edu/california/). Please bear in mind, however, that these schools do not overtly claim to have a service by which students will come to cook for you; it may be tricky to locate just one to do the job.
My best wishes to you as you secure food preparation for the evening! I hope that you and your friends have a wonderful time, and if there is any other way in which I can assist you, you have only to ask.
Sincerely,
-William
