Star Chefs Celebrate Food & Film, a dinner hosted by the Trading Post

Culinary stars Liza Hinman of the Spinster Sisters, Dustin Valette of Valette and Kolin Vazzoler of Simi Winery, join Erik Johnson, chef/owner extraordinaire of the Trading Post, to produce an exceptional evening that pays homage to the relationship between food & film (think Babette’s Feast, Big Night and Julie & Julia). The dinner will feature an elegant, multi-course menu, with the chefs preparing mouth-watering dishes inspired by favorite food movies or scenes. Award-winning wines provided by local luminaries Calluna Vineyards, Cobb Wines, Simi Winery, and Reeve Wines will complement the menu. Join us on Monday, May 6, 2019, 6:00 PM, for an epic and entertaining evening, and one that is certain to be a feast for your eyes - and bellies! More about the chefs... Liza Hinman: Liza is the Chef / Owner of The Spinster Sisters, and partner in The Astro Motel, both located in Santa Rosa, CA. The restaurant has been awarded with both local and critical accolades, including the Bohemian’s Best Restaurant in Sonoma County in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, Liza and partners renovated and opened The Astro, a mid-century modern motel located on Santa Rosa Avenue. Chef Hinman is a mother to three young children and resides with her family in Healdsburg. Dustin Valette: Chef Dustin Valette began his restaurant career at the age of thirteen washing dishes at Catelli’s in his hometown of Geyserville, California. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain, a Francis Ford Coppola Estate, where he worked under Executive Chef Martin Courtman. Valette honed his craft in some of the most celebrated restaurants on the West Coast, including the Michelin-starred Aqua in San Francisco and Napa Valley’s Bouchon. Most recently, Valette spent six years as Executive Chef of Dry Creek Kitchen, a Charlie Palmer restaurant in downtown Healdsburg. In 2015, Valette Restaurant opened its doors to the public. Dustin currently resides with his wife, their two young daughters and two dogs in Healdsburg. Photo credit to Chris Hardy. Kolin Vazzoler: Simi Winery Executive Chef Kolin Vazzoler grew up in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Kolin landed his first job as at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver and worked at two other prestigious Vancouver restaurants before getting his first big break. He caught the eye of esteemed chef Gary Danko and spent eight years at Restaurant Gary Danko in San Francisco as executive sous chef. In 2012, Kolin joined Simi Winery as executive chef. Erik Johnson: Trading Post Executive Chef and Managing Partner, Erik Johnson’s approach to food is simple—geography, curiosity and determination. In 2013, Erik became Executive Chef at Sonoma’s J Vineyards & Winery where he helped put the winery on the map for its 6-course food and wine pairing experience. In late 2016, his dream of having his own restaurant came to fruition with the opening of Trading Post Restaurant & Bakery in his home town of Cloverdale, California – a historic Sonoma County wine country enclave and the gateway to two of the area’s most acclaimed wine regions: Alexander Valley and Anderson Valley (Mendocino County). When Erik isn’t in the Post kitchen or procuring fresh produce from local purveyors, he is recharging in his home garden or playing music, often accompanied by his wife and twin daughters.