Breaking news: Alain Passard to cook at Manresa

This is not a very good picture, but the subject is interesting so I hope you'll forgive me. Yes, it is Alain Passard, cooking at the Rarities Dinner at the Masters of Food and Wine in Carmel last year.

He had a big rack of lamb to cook, and instead of using the stove or oven, he decided to set up the outdoor fireplace on the patio to do it. He spent most of the prep time outside, nursing his fire and his lamb in between a smoke or two of cigar, even after it began to drizzle. Daniel Boulud and I joked that Alain was cooking his lamb à la vapeur. Funny.

That was when an idea germinated in Alain's and David's minds, and that idea has finally come to fruition, and now they are ready to announce it.

Alain Passard is coming to Manresa! He's coming to cook three dinners, on March 9, 10, and 11! David and the team at Manresa have been planning this a long time, and Cynthia, the lovely gardener is planting special produce particularly for this dinner even. You should go to the Manresa blog to check out the details. If you want a table, call quickly. They are filling up fast. They are only doing one turn, that's 60 seats, per night. Grab the phone. Quick!

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Update: Sorry to say the dinners are now fully booked.