Synopses & Reviews
San Diego is a vivacious and active food community whose eating habits are unpretentious yet familiar, conspicuous yet simple. Famous for supporting a health-conscious lifestyle, with an abundant supply of fresh and organic products at their fingertips, the attitude of the chefs and diners alike is friendly and laid-back. From celebrity top chefs and James Beard Award Winners to experienced chefs who simply just love to cook, priding themselves on being eco-conscious, using only sustainable meats and seafood, the restaurants in San Diego are quickly becoming enchanting places, suitable for even the most discerning of palates. The the colorful California modern cuisine will tempt your taste buds with fusions of imaginative textures and flavors. With recipes for the home cook from over 60 of the city's most celebrated restaurants and showcasing around full-color photos featuring mouth-watering dishes, famous chefs, and lots of local flavor, San Diego Chef's Table is the ultimate gift and keepsake cookbook.
Review
“If you have been searching for a locals perspective of great dining options in San Diego, look no further. Maria does a great job capturing what San Diegos food scene is all about.”
--Chef Brian Malarkey, restaurateur, ABCs The Taste judge, and Bravos Top Chef Miami finalist
“An amazing piece of work. San Diegos culinary talent is finally showcased in one easy-to-read masterpiece! Written in the words of a genuine expert, local author Maria Desiderata Montana leverages her deep experience with fork and pen to offer personal stories from the chefs in conjunction with unique kitchen creations for all to enjoy. Maria truly captures the farm-to-table philosophy of Americas Finest City in this ultimate kitchen keepsake.”
--John Winfield, publisher, FINE Magazine
“Maria Desiderata Montana brings to life the sights, smells, and taste of our region. It is more than just a cookbook; it is a travel log through San Diegos epic culinary scene. This cookbook carefully combines anecdotes, stories, historical facts, and unique recipes. San Diego Chefs Table showcases the balance of culinary art without compromising the sustainable sensibilities of the San Diego restaurant community. Follow Maria on her culinary journey throughout San Diego and enjoy every bite.”
--Executive Chef Bernard Guillas and Chef Ron Oliver, International Association of Culinary Professionals Award-winning authors, Flying Pans Cookbook
“San Diegos Chef Table captures the essence of the exceptional food scene here. Maria has done an amazing job of showcasing the depth of talent we are so lucky to enjoy . . . and the exquisite photography will have you salivating!”
--Josh Kopelman, publisher/founder, DiningOutSD.com
“San Diegos restaurant scene is notorious for its creativity, locally grown ingredients, and sustainable foods. It is, in my opinion, the best city in the world to dine. Thanks to Maria Desiderata Montana, we can now enjoy those same recipes from San Diegos top chefs in our own homes! Maria captures the essence of what San Diego dining is all about: fresh, flavorful, and fun food. From grass-fed beef hamburgers to sustainable salmon, San Diego Chefs Table is the only book you need to really understand what great dining is like in Americas Finest City.”
--Tom Jordan, Emmy Award-winning television news anchor
About the Author
Maria Desiderata Montana is the publisher of the award-winning food blog San Diego Food Finds (sandiegofoodfinds.com). She is also a published author, editor, and award-winning freelance food and wine journalist who learned how to cook and appreciate European cuisine from her parents, who were born and raised in Calabria, Italy. Maria is the author of Food Lovers' Guide to San Diego (Globe Pequot Press) and The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Cookbook. She was also a contributing editor of the award-winning cookbook Flying Pans. She has been a regular contributor to U-T San Diego since 2005, where she has written a variety of food and entertainment stories, as well as her own monthly “Step by Step” recipe series. She loves to cook and create new recipes and strongly believes that eating with family and friends is a celebration of life itself. She lives in San Diego with her husband, John, and their two children, Lucia and Frank.