North Lake Tahoe Stays Ahead of the Culinary Curve

(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nevada) – North Lake Tahoe may not be as well known for its innovative cuisine as it is for its recreation, but its niche for culinary tourism has grown steadily as those who come to play expect more from their dining experience.

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 17 percent of U.S. leisure travelers, or 27.3 million, have engaged in culinary or wine related activities while traveling. In addition to a complete palette of innovative menus from creative chefs, businesses have stepped up to meet the needs of today’s discerning travelers.

On the food front, the combination of inspired cuisine and a must-visit destination put Lake Tahoe on media guru Rachael Ray’s radar, who featured the area in mid-October on an episode of “Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels.” Chefs from the Lone Eagle Grille in Incline Village, Gar Woods Grill and Pier in Carnelian Bay, Tahoe City’s Jake’s on the Lake, Sunnyside Lodge and Fire Sign Café on the West Shore and the Log Cabin in Kings Beach all stepped in front of the camera to prepare their signature dishes.

The International Culinary Tourism Council notes that nearly 100 percent of tourists dine out while traveling and that dining is consistently one of the top three tourist activities. The council’s research also states that culinary tourists are highly likely to participate in outdoor recreation.

“Visitors everywhere have become food-savvy,” Bill Hoffman, executive director of the Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, said. “People aren’t just satisfied with a day on the ski slopes. They want to complete it with an incredible meal and fine wines. Our restaurants and businesses make that abundantly available.”

Additional eateries and bistros not to be missed are PlumpJack Café in Olympic Valley, which recently brought on executive chef Jeffrey Powell (whose talents were honored by the Smithsonian Institution). PlumpJack was awarded the Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator 2006 and presents wine classes and winemaker dinners.

Owner and chef Mark Estee of Moody’s Bistro and Lounge in Truckee has cooked at the famed James Beard House in Manhattan and has prepared meals for Sir Paul McCartney on more than one occasion. He caters to epicureans with special dinners and in-house cooking demonstrations.

“The importance of dining in the Lake Tahoe and surrounding area was minute ten years ago,” Estee said. “Its grown leaps and bounds in the past decade. Restaurants are beginning to spruce themselves up and do whatever we can do to raise the bar, which ultimately benefits the customer.”

Douglas Dale of Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique in Tahoe City was honored by Wine Spectator “for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world.” Dale presents on-and-off-site winemaker dinners and recently took part in a series of winemaker dinners at the historic Thunderbird Lodge, which was built in 1936.

Lodging properties are also stepping onto the food scene. The new Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee will soon be offering culinary programs and the Shore House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Tahoe Vista offers cooking classes for its guests.

Winter food events and festivals are uniquely combined with outdoor excursions, such as Last Tracks at Diamond Peak, which allows skiers and snowboarders to enjoy appetizers and wine tasting at the end of the day then carve down freshly groomed slopes with astounding views of Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Cross Country Ski Area in Tahoe City hosts the Gourmet Ski Tour each year, giving skiers the yummy opportunity to sample treats from North Lake Tahoe’s finest restaurants.

There are also an abundance of foodie events take place throughout the year (no skis or snowboards required). The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival celebrates the culinary scene on a grand scale in early fall with a Culinary Competition, Blazing Pans Mountain Chef Cook-Off, lakeside grape stomp, cooking demonstrations and celebrity chefs. Many visitors enjoy the annual Chocolate Festival; Art Bark Fest; Tahoe City Solstice Sip and Shop; Squaw Valley Art, Wine and Music Festival; Brews, Jazz and Funk Festival; Annual Alpen Wine Fest; Oktoberfest and Truckee Wine, Walk and Shop.

North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. For lodging reservations, recreation and event details, call North Lake Tahoe at 1-877-949-3296 or visit www.GoTahoeNorth.com. Visitor information centers are located at 380 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village. The North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau and the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association, work together to promote North Lake Tahoe as a premier, year-round destination.