Daniela Gerson, featuring Balakian Farms
Saturday, December 16, 2017, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Stop by the CUESA Classroom for a cooking demo featuring the seasonal bounty of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. This demo will highlight a farmer-chef relationship forged and sustained at the farmers market, featuring Balakian Farms.
Chef Daniela Gerson brings authentic, local flavors to life on a plate. She supports local growers and producers by sourcing their high quality organic ingredients. Her clientele extends from the island of Kauai to the San Francisco Bay Area. Example services include private chef, catered events, kid & adult cooking classes and meal drop offs. When Daniela is not busy preparing dinner parties or catering private events, you’ll find her volunteering in the water, sharing her love of surfing with under-privileged youth.
Amber Balakian’s great-grandfather, an immigrant from Armenia, first planted a vineyard in Reedley more than 80 years ago. Her grandfather, John Balakian, was born and raised on the property. In 1999, they began planting heirloom tomatoes and other crops in an effort to expand their produce selection. The farm now also produces sauces with their excess tomatoes. About 10 years ago, the Balakians began switching to organic practices in response to health concerns and market demand.
At Balakian Farms, employees are considered the most important asset in their business. The Balakians are committed to the farm not just as an occupation but also as a way of life.
All demos take place in the CUESA Classroom (under the white tents in front of the Ferry Building) and are free to the public, with recipes and samples for all.