I don’t even know where to begin. This day has been C-R-A-Z-Y and I’ve eaten more food than…I don’t even know. Don’t judge when you see the below pictures—I’m blaming it on the circumstance and the time change.
Where did I leave off?! I don’t even know. But somehow Adam and I ended up on quite the adventure post-church, scaling from Santa Rosa to Napa to Bodega Bay and then to Armstrong Woods.
Ladies and gentleman, here’s what you can do with a tank and a half of gas, good music, a rubber chicken and a few left turns….
Stopped for some eats…..my fisherman’s stew was enough to feed a family of six. Plus an IPA.
(don’t worry, I have enough leftovers to feed myself for a week. It’s AWESOME!)
Okay, so we actually had to rush to get back into town because……….
We had to attend an event with Kevin and Eli of Top Chef!
So it goes.
Insanity.
The big surprise of what I’m doing tonight, tomorrow night and the next night is nothing more than hanging out with Kevin and Eli, Murphy-Goode and Dirty South style, here in Healdsburg. The guys are good friends of Hardy’s and this three day event has been in the work for months now….we’ve all been SO excited!
Tonight was the cocktail party at the Murphy-Goode tasting room and then afterward, I headed out with the guys to attend an exclusive 10 person dinner up on the Terra a Lago vineyards. I kept pinching myself, don’t worry. Is this really my life??!!
We stuck Rocky’s pro Sigma 1.4 lens on my Rebel and I quickly became obsessed…..the food pictures were INCREDIBLE!
(vegetarians beware…our dinner was Intense with a capital I)
Kevin and Eli did not cook tonight….we were treated to an absolutely fabulous meal prepared by the amazingly talented Kendall Jackson chefs, Ryan and Eric. Tomorrow night Kevin and Eli are cooking at Hardy’s house! Some down home Southern cookin’!
Dessert of apple tart….I had a few bites + crust 
Homemade grappa? Wheeeeeewwwwww
Terra a Lago, how I love thee.
Woooooooahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh food coma. And dare I say it’s just beginning??! Tomorrow night, like I said, is the chicken wing night in Hardy’s back yard and then Tuesday night I’m going to a 7 course formal dinner prepared by both Eli and Kevin again at Relish culinary. I swear, my life is normally NOT like this.
***
I’m off to journal in the bathtub……because at this point, I’m not sure what else to do with myself.
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What an amazing day! I love your necklace… and the room that you guys had dinner in is beautiful!
OMG I am so jealous! I love Top Chef! And I have HUGE love for Kevin that has just grown and grown over the season. (It started with deciding to drop out of/not go to MIT…I am an engineer, and also a foodie, and I am totally down with that. Special place in my heart for geeks.) Kevin for the win!
I am living vicariously through you. Can’t wait to read all about it. If I didn’t have a job I’d totally crash that party.
I think the pig head is cool
You are cool too Jenna!!
wow, that’s awesome Jenna!!! What an amazing opportunity
wow, that’s awesome Jenna!!! What an amazing opportunity
WOW! We are all living through your posts! And it is all worth the couple pounds youmay put on in these few days! But how awesome is your life right now!?!?! Are they taping any of this for the show?
Make sure you keep up on your journal entries….you will want to re-read these posts over and over! You will be looking back and smiling thinking, remember when…!
I think we all want your life right now!
Kevin and Eli, representing my Atlanta! Love them! Glad you are having such a great time!
OMG Kevin!! I love that guy – and it’s just insane to me that he is only 26…incredible!! Can’t wait to see what else they’ve got on tap for the rest of the week!
You deserve every second of this, Jenna! Take it all in and enjoy!
SO COOL! They are two of my faves left in the competition! I think Kevin could take it all! And I would never judge your food, just drool over it!
Your necklace is stunning! Do you mind sharing where it’s from?
So fun! I love Hardy (and am just a tad bit jealous of his adventures!). Enjoy your meal tomorrow night. We are so lucky in Atlanta to have such talented chefs!
ZOMG. I loveeee Eli and Kevin! Those are my current favorites on Top chef. You are living the life! don’t let ANYONE judge you!
Nice job, Jenna! Can’t wait to see what you think of some southern cuisine from A-town!
p.s. please teach Slaughter how to hold a wine glass! ; )
WOW! Kevin is my absolute favorite on Top Chef this season. What a great job you have!
That’s beyond cool! I love Top Chef. I don’t get it in my dorm so I always tivo it when I go home
wow jenna! you truly are living the life
jenna
SO EXCITING!!! I think Kevin is taking the title. Their food will be awesome!
Jenna,
I just love reading your blog! I’m not a regular Top Chef watcher, but I caught an episode yesterday at the gym where Kevin wins a Pigs and Pinot challenge and his prize was to guest chef in Healdsburg…of course I immediately thought, that would be so cool if/when he gets to meet Jenna!
I had the great fortune to live in the Norcal area, not too far from Healdsburg for a few months this summer and I can’t wait to go back…it’s beautiful there and I’m glad you are taking advantage!
By the way, I love that grey sweater dress you have on and the necklace! Is it old navy?
So cool!! Enjoy it!
That all sounds amazing! I’m another definite Kevin fan. Does he remind anyone else of a younger version of Art Smith?
Love your sneakers! What are they? I want them!
I love following your blog……
I am so happy that you are feeding your soul and following your heart! LIVE YOUR DREAMS…….and you are! you are so lucky.
What a great life. Every pound gained is well worth it (if you gain any…). To gain weight eating Cheetos and twinkies is not the same as to gain weight eating gourment food prepared by amazing chefs…just my two cents.
Jenna, thanks for sharing your stories. This is your normal life now….
That is so awesome Jenna!!! How fun!
OH MY WORD!! I love Top Chef!! It’s my favorite show. I am insanely jealous. That all sounds incredible!
I tried being more jealous but I couldn’t. That’s SO COOL!
Hahah when I first saw this title in my reader, I immediately thought to Zoolander and how he couldn’t turn left (or was it right?)…
Everything looks amazing. And, if I were you, I’d also be constantly pinching myself and asking myself IS THIS MY LIFE? You are very blessed chica
Amazing with a capital A. And I LOVE your shirt with the pearls. Super cute.
Jenna! Great shots. Thanks a ton for coming out with us last night! What an amazing night! This week is only getting better!
Umm…. dream come true much??!!! I can’t think of anyone who seemingly deserves it more (from what I gather about you from your blog). But those two are my FAVES right now on T.C. Both talented, funny and cute as buttons. I live at home too Eli!! hehe. While I do feel the slightest bit jealous, I’m more so really stoked for you that you got this uberific opportunity. I can’t wait for pics of tonights din!
I don’t know if I have been this envious of someone else in A LONG TIME! I am obsessed with Top Chef and I literally spent all day yesterday lay on my sofa catching up on the last 3 episodes of this season.
I cannot wait to hear your recap of the two of them cooking at Hardy’s. I plan to live vicariously!
Happiness Awaits
WOW live it up girl! How FUN! Kevin is my #1 favorite on Top Chef!! I would love to be in your shoes right now! You’ll have to tell him how much we all love him! hehe
I don’t know if I have been this envious of someone else in A LONG TIME! I am obsessed with Top Chef and I literally spent all day yesterday lay on my sofa catching up on the last 3 episodes of this season.
I cannot wait to hear your recap of the two of them cooking at Hardy’s. I plan to live vicariously!
Sounds like an amazing day!!
Hahah that chicken is too funny and random! And that pig head- geez louise! Glad you’re having so much fun on the best coast!
WHAT! OMG Jenna, this is insane! You’re life is CRAZY! Hahaha what an amazing night. Cannot wait to read about the rest of the nights!
LOVE Stinson Beach/Bodega Bay, etc. Terrific dinner look…how very Princess Grace of you!
OMG, “culinary boner” right now!!! (to quote Andrew of Top Chef a couple seasons back). I am obsessed with Top Chef, prob because I am a food studies major, and have only ever met Spike from Top Chef NYC. I was sitting behind him on the train from DC to NYC a few years back and chatted it up with him for a good hour. Great guy! That being said, wish I could add Eli and Ran to my Top Chef “I know you” list. Can’t wait to hear more about it!!
hahahahahaha. Val is lighting up in the background.
Where are the pictures of me in the cellar! Don’t you know that’s the most important part?
SO jealous!! I totally love Kevin!! I hope he wins!
Oh my super duper jealous. Those guys are my favorite on the show. I would kill (not really) to eat some good southern food. Enjoy every bite!
So weird seeing pics of my sis and bro-in-law on your blog! Hope you had a good time and got to hang out with Jen and Dave.
You made me hungry….well, except for that piggy head. But, thanks for the advanced warning.
I also like the sign on the front of the vineyard that stated “Wine is like bottled poetry,”
Sweet pictures! I also think your hair looks very pretty too.
Jenna! What a fun night! If you ever need a date to one of these events, drop me an email! I’m only 45 minutes away.
Take care!
Jenna,
Looks like you are having a blast- it looks and sounds like so much fun- and I’m sure the wine and food are spectacular! Too bad my visit was a week early!
Kerri (dirty’s sister)
What an amazing experience! You look so incredibly happy that I’m nearly brought to tears seeing you in pictures – and I swear that I don’t mean that sound as creepy as it seems!
ENJOY your life and all of the amazing experiences that come your way
Danielle
I think your blog comments just predicted who’s winning fan favorite, hah!
But yes, I second/third/hundredth everyone else- Kevin’s food is SO RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS LOOKING! I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU GET TO EAT IT!
I love Kevin from Top Chef. He is so freakin’ cute and truly has a twinkle in his eye. You are a very lucky lady!!
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