Future looks good for Petaluma’s Cowgirl Creamery

After an acquisition by a Swiss company, the local dairy will likely retain its independence.|

Acquisition isn’t what it once was, so there is no need to panic at the news that Cowgirl Creamery will merge with Emmi, the largest Swiss milk processor. Run by a cooperative of Swiss dairy farmers, Emmi currently owns Redwood Hill Farm in Sebastopol. Without changing the company’s daily operations, the acquisition has helped Redwood Hill Farm introduce more Sonoma County culinary gems to the rest of the world through Emmi’s distribution network.

Thus far, Emmi has meddled as little as possible in Redwood Hill Farm’s daily operations, while reaping the benefit of helping the small company break into larger markets than they would have been able to on their own. This bodes well for Cowgirl Creamery maintaining its local appeal.

As a long-time fan of Cowgirl, I have followed the work of owners Peggy Smith and Sue Conley, and am confident that they have put a lot of thought into this decision and feel it is best for the company and its customers. This merger will likely infuse needed capital for Cowgirl’s expansion, meaning they will be able to offer new products, as well as bring back some fan favorites, like their cottage cheese.

McEvoy olive oil

The rest of the world seems to have figured out what Petaluma locals have known ever since first tasting McEvoy Ranch olive oil over two decades ago: It is some of the best olive oil you’ll ever taste. Less than half way through the year and McEvoy has already won three Gold Medals at three of the country’s most prestigious olive oil competitions.

The California State Fair has showcased the best of California for more than 160 years, so it was quite an honor for McEvoy to take home the Gold Medal in the “Robust Blend” division of their 2016 Traditional Blend category.

The Los Angeles International EVOO Competition judges the world’s best Extra Virgin Olive Oil and awarded McEvoy Gold in the “North Coast Blends” division of their 2016 Traditional Blend category. And at the New York International Olive Oil Competition, McEvoy was up against more than 800 entries from 26 countries and took home Gold in the 2016 Traditional Blend category.

“We are delighted that the 2016 blend has been recognized by the industry for its outstanding flavor and delicate balance,” said Deborah Rogers, McEvoy Ranch’s olive oil production manager. “It’s a beautiful oil and perfect for the table and your favorite recipes.”

When Nan Tucker McEvoy planted her first olive grove in 1991, people thought she was crazy because at that time olives weren’t an established crop in this area. Since that time, McEvoy has won numerous awards and even been distinguished by Consumer Reports as one of the best in the world, and added more diversity to Petaluma’s agricultural reputation.

Great Petaluma?Chili Cook-off

This year’s event started off a bit rainy, but that didn’t stop die-hard chili, salsa and beer fans from coming out in force. Their persistence paid off. The weather cleared, giving them ample opportunity to enjoy more than 50 chilies, more than 20 salsas, and the finest offerings of more than two dozen breweries and cideries.

Goldridge Fire, dressed as crash test dummies, served up the judges’ favorite, winning not only a best costumes award, best service organization chili, and taking home the Firefighters’ Axe Award, but also taking home the top award of Grand Champion. With this comes the Golden Ticket, which invites them directly to the World Food Championship this fall in Georgia.

New and upcoming restaurants took the top three spots in the Restaurant Category - Brasil BBQ was first, Sarah’s Eats and Sweets got second and Brewsters Beer Garden took third. Bellyfull Dinners took home awards for their veggie chili and their fruit salsa. Their fruit salsa was so good the we judges went back for seconds and thirds.

If you missed out, you can try it as part of several of their meals this month. The Petaluma Argus-Courier fielded a team that took home a very respectable second place in the Business Category. Last but certainly not least, Petaluma Hills Brewing Company took top honors in the Beer Category for the third year in a row, pouring their Porterluma on nitro, as well as three different versions of their Big House Blonde.

Using a very cool looking contraption called a “randall,” festival goers could actually watch as their pint of Big House Blonde was filtered through either fresh cherries or habanero and serrano peppers. They were basically creating a freshly infused beer right there on the spot, which likely garnered them a lot of extra voting tickets.

25 years for Sonoma caterers

Preferred Sonoma Caterers is celebrating their 25th year in business. At a Chamber of Commerce celebration, they introduced a few of their newest offers, as well as some of their classics.

Covering all your catering needs, from casual in-home dinner parties to business luncheons to wedding and gala events, Chef Amber Balshaw has set a high standard for Petaluma area catering. She also participates in quite a few local nonprofit events, including the very popular Scotch Tasting Dinner, held each spring at the Petaluma Historic Library and Museum.

Balshaw puts her heart and soul into her catering. While stopping in for a cookie, I saw Amber judiciously researching the various Scotches in order to find the perfect plates to pair with each pour. For a small donation, cookies and coffee are always available at PSC’s 416 E. D Street location, with all proceeds going to local charities.

If PSC is listed as the caterer at an event, you know you will have a great meal and excellent service. It comes as no surprise that Balshaw’s crew won both the People’s Choice and the Judges’ Award for “Best Vegetarian Chili” at this year’s Great Petaluma Chili Cook-off.

(Contact Houston Porter at houston@avant-larde.com.)

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