A couple of weeks ago I loaded up the Mini Cooper with my girl Katey of The Violet Fog and hit Highway 1 for the gorgeous thirty-five-mile drive from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay. After a quick stop at Sam’s Chowder House, we checked into our stunning room at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay.

Last time I stayed at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay I had a pink cast and a bad attitude (insert sad pink cast blog post here). So needless to say this trip was very different and 100% better!

Now, this wasn’t just a girls weekend in Half Moon Bay, we were there for the “Global Cuisine Series” – an exclusive retreat featuring interactive culinary classes and special tasting menus from renowned chefs. The weekend began with a hands-on cooking class where (spoiler alert) we actually prepared a menu created by the visiting chef {Chef Telmo Faria of Uma Casa} followed by a lunch (featuring the fruits of our labor) along with wine pairings to complement the global destination featured.

The Global Cusine Series Team

(from left to right)

Telmo Faria // Executive Chef and Founder of Uma Casa, Xavier Salomon // Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon and me (wannabe Chef for the day).

When Chef Telmo Faria isn’t holding it down in the kitchen at Uma Casa he also serves as my number one homie…so needless to say this experience was extra special for me. Now, this wasn’t my first time in the kitchen with Telmo – he has let me play ‘sous chef’ from time to time on vacation…aka me drinking and watching him cook in the kitchen, however this time I actually got my hands dirty and learned to make two of my favorite dishes from the Uma Casa menu.

What was on the menu for the day?

First Course: Pasteis de Bacalhau/Salt Cod and Potato Fritters with Lemon-Cilantro Aioli

Second Course: Carne de Porco Alentejana/Pork and Clam Stew Alentejo Style

Desert Course: Bolo de Laranja/Olive Oil-Citrus Cake with Fresh Berries and Cream

Katey can cook! 

Despite the fact that both Katey and I walked into the kitchen with ZERO cooking skills we managed to not blow up the kitchen at The Ritz and recreate Chef Telmo’s classic Portuguese dishes (more or less).

Check out Katey’s badass quenelle skills (I didn’t even try). She managed to create the perfect ‘football shape’ with two soup spoons before the salt cod fritters hit the fryer.

Chech out Katey’s posts on her experience here!

Impressed with my experience? Check out the talented lineup below:

Charles Olalia
August 26-27, 2017
Of Rice Bar in Los Angeles creating innovative Filipino recipes

Evan and Sarah Rich
September 23-24, 2017
Of celebrated Rich Table featured in Conde Nast Traveler’s 3 Hours in San Francisco

Manish Tyagi
October 28-29, 2017
San Francisco’s hottest new Modern Indian restaurant August 1 Five

Gerald Hirigoyen
November 18-19, 2017
James Beard nominee and Maître Cuisinier de France of Piperade, a West Coast Basque restaurant

William Werner
December 16-17, 2017
James Beard finalist for “Outstanding Baker” of Craftsman and Wolves, a contemporary patisserie

Launching in May 2017 with only 14 seats available, the two-day package will be available one weekend per month and will feature a different chef each time. Interested in participating in the Global Cuisine Series? Contact the Ritz Travel Team at (650) 712-7686 or email to plan your special culinary weekend.

#TrustMe it is 100% worth it!

And after all the ‘cooking’ the beds at The Ritz do not disappoint! Enjoy a little R+ R in style!