TASTE! Alaska

Explore and learn about all aspects of the local food scene. Together we can see what’s going on at restaurants, the markets and products as well as unique artisan items that make Alaska just a little different. Artwork by Lee Post, used with permission.


Rob Kinneen

Rob Kinneen was born in Petersburg, AK and started his career in culinary classes at the King Career Center by day and bustin' suds at local restaurants by night. He attended the Culinary Institute of America, worked prestigious dining establishments in New Orleans and Durham/Chapel Hill, then returned to Alaska in 2001 as Seven Glaciers chef, Noble's Diner inspiration, and now at Orso.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

Alaska grown

Find those cool blue and yellow T-shirts and hoodies here, as well as seasonal market information.

Global Food Collaborative

A community of individuals, businesses, agencies and organizations committed to the food and food-based business in Alaska

PRODUCTS I USE

Moosetard: gourmet Alaska mustards

Locally produced artisan product with bold Alaska- nspired flavors. I use in spreads, for sandwiches, vinaigrettes and to finish meat sauces.

Alaska Chip Company

Potato chips made only from Alaska potatoes.

Alaska Birch Syrup

Made from birch tree sap and available in four flavors. Medium is the best to cook with.I use it for a birch syrup-brown butter sauce over pastas and incorporate it with crème brulees. Currently I'm using birch syrup to glaze pork belly for a summer dish.

Simple Pleasures of Alaska

Producers of spruce tip syrup, kelp pickles and other unique items out of Sitka.

Alaska Native-made jams, jellies and syrups

For thousands of years Alaskan Natives handpicked plump, sweet, wild berries. Today local and tribal residents continue this tradition, bringing some of these wonderful berries to our modern kitchen.

Alaskan Brewing Co.

Home of eight beers including Alaskan Amber, ESB, IPA and winter and summer ales.

Midnight Sun Brewing Co.

Home of year-round, seasonal, X-special and series beers.

Ring of Fire Meadery

In Homer since 2004. Meads and honey ciders produced without sulfites and with local fruits and berries.

Celestial Meads

Produce at least 18 meads, located in Midtown Anchorage.

Chefs offer domestic, sustainable seafood recipes - 8/23/2008 11:14 pm

Goin' to Chicago!! - 8/14/2008 12:54 am

COCHON, The last grub fest in NO,LA - 8/10/2008 2:19 pm

GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK OFF - 8/6/2008 1:48 am

The LowDown on CELESTIAL MEADERY, and ... - 7/24/2008 12:15 am

All the live long day... - 7/11/2008 4:14 pm

Workin' that RailRoad... - 7/11/2008 3:53 pm

Frittata Extravaganza - 7/5/2008 1:13 am

Summertime(finally) in Alaska... - 7/2/2008 12:34 pm

Cooks' dessert, ala Alaska - 6/16/2008 1:04 pm

Pork belly - 6/7/2008 1:15 am

Alaska Max, Alaska-riffic!! - 6/2/2008 1:04 pm

Assist Father Whine at Bernie's - 5/13/2008 12:31 pm

Vanderweele Farm - 5/13/2008 12:02 pm

Matanuska Creamery Tour - 5/12/2008 10:41 am

MATANUSKA CREAMERY, YAHOO!! - 5/4/2008 12:42 pm

REVIEW OF THE CROW'S NEST LOUNGE/WINEMAKER DINNER - 4/26/2008 11:44 am

Thera Flu induced Conspiracy Theories - 4/16/2008 1:49 pm

Runaway to Hawaii while waiting for Alaskan Grown - 4/3/2008 12:53 pm

Miscellaneous Tidbits - 3/20/2008 12:26 pm

Top Chef Finalist Visits Anchor Town - 3/12/2008 12:23 pm

2008 Potato and Vegetable Growers Conference - 3/11/2008 9:17 am

Vanderweele Farm

A day on the Farm: This was in early April-Two snows ago...A day on the Farm: This was in early April-Two snows ago...Where potatoes come from: One of two green houses, temperature controlledWhere potatoes come from: One of two green houses, temperature controlledFinished potatoes ready for marketFinished potatoes ready for marketPotato grader: The machine pulls produce out of the warehouse, cleans, grades and bags the product and gets them ready for marketPotato grader: The machine pulls produce out of the warehouse, cleans, grades and bags the product and gets them ready for marketPotato warehouse: this is where the potatoes are reserved for market in the fall, before the ground freezesPotato warehouse: this is where the potatoes are reserved for market in the fall, before the ground freezesBen Vanderweele talking with the city slickers: Ben giving a bit of history to his guestsBen Vanderweele talking with the city slickers: Ben giving a bit of history to his guests

So, early in the month of April I took visiting chef Sam Talbot out to the Valley. We visited Ben Vanderweele. His Farm is one of the largest in the valley. He also supplies potatoes to the Alaska Chip company insuring that the chips are produced with 100% Alaskan potatoes. Vanderweele farms is active at the seasonal farmer markets and his produce is available at grocery stores.
I personally was surprised at the volume of his operation. The Potato room is the size of a school gym. The green conveyor belt machine is computerized as is the green house-temperature and climate controlled. Seems pretty contemporary.
To find out more about Ben Vanderweele look up his profile at the Alaska Grown profile on the right side of my blog.


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