guru encounters in california

Fig. 1. San Francisco by sea.

I spent the second half of January in Northern California, one of my new favourite places in the world.

Berkeley, California is home to Cultured Pickle Shop, and I spent a week there scrubbing beets, mixing sauerkraut, filling jars, and grilling master-pickler Alex Hozven about her ascent to pickle stardom.

I also wandered around sunny San Francisco for a few days. Naturally, I made the pilgrimage to Tartine bakery, home of Chad Robertson, the author of my sourdough bread bible. I braved the line-up, feasted on my delicious purchases, and glimpsed the master (see here for glamour shots).

Figs. 2 & 3. It wasn't just about the food.