Chefs Market Season begins Thursday, May 19th, 5PM to 9PM
Free and open to the public
Summer may start for the rest of the world in June, but in Napa, it starts when the Chefs Market season opens. Chefs Market is a seventeen-year-old Thursday night event that runs through August 4th. For those who've attended in the past, Chefs Market has grown up.
"Some of the kids that used to come to Chefs Market are now adults bringing their kids, and we need to make the Market reflect a growing family presence." One change she is implementing is making the children's area more of a family area, and moving it to First Street. "The children's area will now be on First between Randolph and Franklin Streets, but we are hoping to provide activities and vendors that will be of interest to adults as well." The change is perfect for some of the merchants in that area, including Napa Valley Toy Company. They will set up activities outside of their store at First and Franklin, all of which will be monitored by a big rabbit (think - five, six feet tall!) "Miss Jenny," who Morales introduced to the Market three years ago, will be back, leading children in singing and storytelling. "Miss Jenny has been a favorite since the first night she performed. Some children are there every week, just to see her." Artists will be showing their work in the area and vendors will be offering tasting of food items, so that mom and dad can enjoy being there as well.
The farmers market, presented by Kaiser Permanente will be moved to Coombs Street between First and Second Streets, so that it will be closer to the chefs' demonstration. "If they like, chefs can show people how to pick vegetables and fruit, and how to plan a menu based on what's in season," said Morales. "Moving the farmers market will bring the whole food scene closer together, as it should be."
Randolph Street will be home to one of the main musical stages, but will also be the truck stop. "Food trucks are huge, and we're inviting three to five each week for that area. I really believe that Randolph Street will be as popular as the stage at Dwight Murray Plaza."
Probably the biggest change Morales has brought to the Market in her four years of organizing it has been to improve the music and entertainment. She spends countless hours listening to music, finding bands that fit a variety of music styles, so there will be something for everybody. Every year she brings back old favorites that people request, but at least half the bands she has booked this year are new to the Market. "There aren't that many music venues in Napa, and lots of bands submit music, hoping to play. I want to give new bands a chance to perform," said Morales. "It also means new music for the people attending, so everybody wins."
Also returning to the Market is Annie the Baker, who will organize the chefs' demonstrations, brought to you by Wells Fargo Bank. Two demos are featured each night, one at 6:00 and one at 7:30, after each, attendees will be treated to a free sample of food, and for those twenty one and over, a free taste of the wine paired with it. "The chefs' demonstrations have gotten huge, said Morales. "Years ago, a dozen people would watch, now there might be a hundred."
Chefs Market is a free family event that features three musical stages, a farmers market, children's area, chefs' demonstrations and lots of other vendors. There is always lots of food, beer, wine and non alcoholic beverages available.
Chefs Market wouldn't be possible without the support of sponsors, including the Napa Valley Marketplace, presenting sponsor Kaiser Permanente, Team Superstores in Vallejo, and of course DBI Beverage, who provides Fat Tire, Blue Moon Coors Light and others. Free parking and admission.
