Culinary Tourism happens to be the fastest growing travel segment worldwide. In Washington State, uniquely positioned to provide experiences to regional travelers with the flavor of inland cuisine.
The State of Washington has begun a pilot program to teach, train, and market their valuable culinary, agriculture assets. Washington State Tourism promoters kicked off 2010 with rolling workshops, planning summits, during the months of Feb/March 2010 their training locations included Whidbey Island, Olympia, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee Valley, Chelan Tri-Cities. The eastside portion of the Cascade Loop featured locations and producers that included, Sleeping Lady, Blue Star Packers, La Toscana, Nichelsons Orchard, Cashmere Cider Mill, Liberty Orchards, makers of Aplets & Cotlets, Alpine Sheep Cheese, River Walk Bakery, Ivy Wild Bed & Breakfast & Catering, and more.
Cascade Foothills Farmland Association sponsored a working lunch @ Cashmere Cider Mill, invitations given to culinary providers by the Wenatchee Visitor Bureau of Wenatchee, Leavenworth Chamber, Chelan Chamber, & Cascade Loop Association. There were 80 registrants in attendance for day long workshop and lunch at Sleeping Lady Resort. Chef Ken McDonald and his staff prepared all you eat, locally grown ingredients. Menus for both lunch days follows to share just how mouth watering it was! Both menus committed to local farmers, by using products sourced from Washington State & Pacific Northwest.
Cashmere Cider Mill Tasting Rooms
Salmon Chowder with Garlic Ciabatta Breads, Lavender Thyme Bread Spread:
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, Emmer Farro Heirloom Salad, Salmon Cheese with Huckleberry Pepper Jelly
Mt Cashmere Mudslide Brownies, Caramelized Bosc Pears over Brie with Rosemary Crackers
Sleeping Lady Kingfisher Dining Lodge
Assorted Salads, Sandwiches, Leek & Potato soup, Vegetarian Quiche
Grilled Afghan Spiced Organic Free Range Chicken, Sauteed winter greens, Braised Field Beans
Assorted Cookies, poached hothouse rhubarb, summer frozen berry compote
The afternooon segment was a time to roll up your sleeves and collaborate with regional partners to create culinary itenearies for traveling foodies...there were many amazing ideas that were put together.
The first ever International Culinary Tourism Summit will be held in
Nova Scotia, September 201, exciting progress on Culinary Tourism front. More details coming up!
http://www.culinarytourism.org/?page=WorldSummitSample Itenaries
Pet & Family Friendly;
Step back in time at the Stutzman Ranch -Old time packing shed to view the past... Summer pick your own cherries, fall apples and thrill to the sound of the exploding pumpkin canon sunday afternoons 2PM...mosy on up to Cashmere Cider Mill for afternoon live music 2-4 PM, tour and tasting their artisan ciders in 10 blends of non alcoholic wine alternative choices...be sure to get their famous apple butter milkshakes for the kids...worth a days drive just to experience one!
Adults:
Washingtons newest hard cider in the Wenatchee Valley, visit Snowdrift Cider, tasting by appointment, next stop not to miss, Tiny's Organics where you can choose your dinner ingredients, take to chef Richard Kitos @ Ivy Wild B& B who will create a personalized dinner...sleep well in this Historic Registered Lodging..wake up to the smell of breakfast... and swing down for a 10 AM morning coffee roasting tour @ Cafe Mela on Wenatchee Ave.... walk/bike/roller blade 11 mile river front park at whatever pace you may choose..enjoy evening dinner At Smokeblossom or Inna's Cuisine
Heirloom Cuisine
...heirloom apple picking @ Fiels Pioneer Orchards...bring them to Cashmere Cider Mill for Heirloom cider tasting tour w/lunch.. join a cooking class with Lady Blush while making your own batch of apple butter, learn about herbs..specicalty grains, bread making tips or a batch of herbs de province... checking into lodging @ Cascade Valley Inn B& B for personal attention or at Sleeping Lady Resort under the care of chef Ken Mc Donald for the best of inland dinner cuisine. Morning breakfast, the heritage site of Cashmere Pioneer Village offers time period furnishings in true pioneer homes on site, geo cache your way around Cashmere or check out the 3 antique malls.
Devils Gulch Bike Trail ...Be sure to pick up picnic lunch @ a local fruit stand...enjoy your bike adventure afternoon ....return and time to harvest pesto supplies and create your own make and take batch at the Cashmere Cider Mill....maybe take in painting instruction from Paula Frederick as she paints by the creek at the Cashmere Cider Milll...relax by Mission Creek sipping Artisan Cider...smell the apple wood smoked pizza on the grill featuring your very own batch of pesto....complete with fresh apple pie baked onsite using regional grown fruit...topped with french vanilla ice cream.
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