and Hong Kong, where it's stir fried with dried shrimp and fermented black bean sauce, to the American South, where it's braised again, but with beans and pork.
Mustard's identity, however defined, is transcendent. Gritty Manhattan street vendors offer steaming potato knishes, which they'll slice deeply into, generously filling the void with day-glo yellow mustard squeezed from a French's container. But whether zigzagged across a ballpark dog or piled into a thimble-sized bowl between charcuterie and cornichons, it unifies us, or at least, our palates. And rest assured. Says Pahk of the Great Unifier, "It's not going away."
Fields of Fire
Napa Valley Mustard Festival: a quick glance
Mustard, Mud and Music Spend a lazy day quaffing wine and listening to jazz in this darling hot springs town at the top of the Napa Valley on Saturday, March 11, in downtown Calistoga. 11am to 4pm. $10 includes music and first five winetastings. 707.942.6333.
Spicy Competition The international crème de la crème of mustard contests is "the competition for mustard makers," according to Barry Levensen, judging coordinator for the contest. Levensen curates Wisconsin's irreverent Mt. Horeb Mustard Museum, and makes a point to sign all his correspondence "Condimentally yours." This year, the festival received 350 mustard entries for its Worldwide Mustard Competition, far more than any previous year. The black-tie event also includes a chef's competition. Meet the men and women under the toques, when 18 chefs vie to win the People's Choice Award or the Critic's Choice Award for mustard-focused recipes. Moutardiers and chefs abound at the awards on Friday, March 17, at the Lincoln Theater. 100 California Drive, Yountville. 7pm to 10pm. $100-$150. 707.944.1300.
Tongue Sizzles Tasting mustards from around the world is set to the tunes of internationally acclaimed pianist Henry Butler, a musician from New Orleans. Other Naw'lins-inspired musical treats slated are swamp-boogie, blues and zydeco music (a portion of the festival's proceeds will benefit the New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund), along with less regional folk, jazz and R&B. Stroll through COPIA and its grounds to sample foods, wines, fine arts and crafts at the annual Mustard Marketplace, Saturday-Sunday, March 18-19. COPIA, 500 First St., Napa. 11am to 5pm. $5-$35. 707.944.1133.
Shooting the Mustard The festival culminates with a mustard-focused photo contest for amateurs and pros alike. The fancy Mumm Napa Photo Finish event wraps it up with hors d'oeuvres, wine, dessert and music on Saturday, April 1, at Mumm Cuvée Napa, 8445 Silverado Trail, Rutherford. 7pm. $85-$100. 707.944.1133. For more information on these and other festival events, or to order to tickets, visit www.mustardfestival.org or call 707.944.1133.
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From the March 8-14, 2006 issue of the North Bay Bohemian.
© 2006 Metro Publishing Inc.