This Week on the Central Coast…
A local chef represents Monterey in Mexico City, Carmel gets a new Korean restaurant, a new youth art exhibit at the airport, MPUSD opens a new preschool, and local nonprofits give back to the County.
Monterey
Salt Wood Sous Chef Cooks at Frida Kahlo’s Family Home
Sous Chef Nestor Marin of Salt Wood Oysterette and Kitchen flew to Mexico City to cook for Marco Beteta, “the James Beard of Mexico”. The meal took place in Frida Kahlo’s family home, which will soon be a new museum.
Beteta had gone on a food tour with See Monterey and loved Salt Wood’s food so much, he asked head chef Jonny Rodriguez to come cook “on behalf of the restaurant—and the state—for a dinner Beteta would host with Visit California in Mexico City.” However, when Rodriguez couldn’t get his passport in time, Marin stepped up in his place.
Marin served up a four-course meal consisting of “grilled oyster with passionfruit, yuzu and lardo; kuri and kabocha squash soup with roasted coffee oil, pain d’epice and brown butter; 48-hour short rib with Carolina Gold barbecue sauce and pickled shishito peppers; and pumpkin panna cotta with spiced pecan granola, sea salt whip and urfa beiber Turkish chili pepper” - all on a 4- burner stove and with limited serving dishes.
When asked what it was like to represent an entire state, Marin commented that the entire experience only reinforced his life goals. “This is not just my career. This is my life. To do something like this was an eyeopener. A game changer,” he continues. “It made me realize where I’m at, to understand, ‘Oh shit you can do this.’ It tells me I’m on the right path. I should keep doing what I’m doing.”
Jeju Kitchen Joins the Carmel Restaurant Scene
Carmel’s only Korean restaurant, Jeju Kitchen, opened next to Wrath Wine in the space that used to be occupied by Burger Bar. Jeju’s opening on December 1 was so fast, their sign hasn’t even arrived yet. Burger Bar’s sign still hangs at the entrance.
The menu includes “authentic Korean food like kimchi pancakes, spicy bulgogi chicken and jajangmyeon noodles”.
Owner Ashley Wolff was born in Seoul and uses her grandmother’s recipes, which were handed down to her mother, before coming to her. Juju Kitchen is open daily from 11AM to 8PM. They are planning an official opening in January.
Gilroy Family Cat Found in Carmel
After a week of missing, a Gilroy cat was finally found in the parking lot of Holly Farm in Carmel.
The family was able to track their cats general location with the use of an Apple AirTag attached to its collar. Suzanne Moise had been searching for the cat everyday, hanging flyers and setting up feeding stations before she spotted the feline walking through the parking lot.
It is still a mystery how the cat traveled so far.
New Youth Art Exhibit on Display at the Airport
A new exhibit comprised of artwork from Seaside High School students is now on display at Monterey Regional Airport. Seaside High School’s art instructor Mandee Scorpiniti said the exhibit shows the entire range of the school’s art program. Photography, graphic design, illustration, and video are all represented. Scorpiniti pointed out that video formats were difficult to represent on the exhibit’s walls. One student who created a digital collage said “I just incorporated things that I really like, like the lake and the sunset”.
The exhibit will be shown through late February anytime the terminal is open.
MPUSD Will Open a New Preschool
A new preschool program will open on January 4 at the location of the old Monte Vista School. The program is the first state subsidized program in Monterey that is sponsored by the district. It will serve 48 students. The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District partnered with The Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Development Initiative to assess the needs of the county. The findings indicated that the current amount of licensed early child care services is only enough to serve 26% of children under five.
The Monterey Child Development Center will have one class ready for three to five year olds. It hopes to open another in the spring of 2024. There is a teacher for every eight students and MPUSD recently raised the pay of preschool teachers to reinforce its dedication to ensuring the success of its students.
Gathering for Women Unveils Memorial Benches
The Gathering for Women unveiled a new memorial bench at its headquarters. The bench is meant to be a memorial to women who died without homes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Gathering is a day center where women can get a hot meal, free clothing and some emergency assistance.” It also helps women in need find mental health care and assistance with housing.
The center hopes the bench will become a place where people can share memories, both happy and tearful, while serving as a tribute to all the women who passed while experiencing homelessness.
Power Over Parkinson’s using Exercise to Fight Off the Disease
Power Over Parkinson’s is an organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. “The only thing proven to slow the progression of Parkinson’s is exercise,” explains Terrill Dahl, a board member of the organization. The group provides custom exercise regimens for each individual, focusing on balance, strength, and mobility. In addition to the exercise, the organization also offers speech therapy lessons.
“Clinical adviser Dr. Maria Bellumori is a Parkinson’s researcher and CSU Monterey Bay kinesiology professor who developed exercise programs specific to the disorder. Her work has shown that such programs improve coordination and help patients better cope with the symptoms.”
Classes are offered six days per week. Memberships are $75 per month and members get full access to all classes. To sign up for a membership, or if you have questions in general, email poweroverparkinsonsmonterey@gmail.com
Don’t forget to visit ZumZum Tea at a local farmer’s market! During the month of December, mention The Peninsula Report to receive a free sample with your purchase!
Old Monterey Farmers Market on Tuesdays
Carmel-by-the-Sea Farmers Market on Thursdays
Oldtown Salinas Farmers Market on Saturdays