TUOLUMNE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA -- Each winter, Yosemite's premier hotel, the historic Ahwahnee hosts a series of "Chef's Holidays."

If you've ever visited Disney's California Adventure Amusement Park in Anaheim, California, it's readily apparent that Yosemite's Ahwahnee Hotel served as inspiration for the Californian Resort. This authentic Craftsman style architectural masterpiece provides a rustic, yet elegant backdrop for cooking demonstrations with some of America's top chefs, special receptions and chef's dinners and wine pairings.

We attended two great demonstrations, one with chef Victor Scargle (executive chef of COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the arts in Napa Valley, CA), who made Ahi Tuna Tartare with Yuzu and Crème Fraiche and Ham Hock Risotto with Caramelized Pearl Onions and Hen of the Wood Mushrooms and another with the very personable and entertaining Carrie Brown (chef/proprietor of the Jimtown Store in Healdsburg, California), who made classic comfort foods like Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding and Savory Bread Pudding.

Both classes were fun and informative. Beginners and veteran cooking enthusiasts alike came away with valuable new knowledge that will add to their overall culinary knowledge, along with some fabulous, sure-to-please recipes.

Each two or three day "Chef's Holiday" session culminates with a special gourmet dinner, prepared by the chefs in residence. Between culinary events, guests also have plenty of time to explore Yosemite and other area attractions.

A little known secret is that you don't actually have to stay at the Ahwahnee to take advantage of the Chef's Holiday programs. The cooking demonstrations are free, all you need do is show up at the proper time (Ahwahnee staff can tell you exactly where each demonstration takes place). While fees are involved in the special "meet the chefs" reception and the closing night gourmet dinner, you can still opt for alternative lodging to the Ahwahnee (something budget conscious travelers will appreciate).

For more information about the Ahwahnee's Chef's Holidays programs or to make reservations, call 559-252-4848 or visit www.YosemitePark.com. Complete three night packages, including double occupancy lodging at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, admission to the Meet the Chefs reception, entry to cooking demonstrations and two tickets for the Chef's Holidays Gala Dinner (a 5 course gourmet dinner complete with wine pairings) start at $999.00, with two night packages running $729 (as of winter 2004, be sure to check current rates). Opt to stay at the Yosemite Lodge instead of the Ahwahnee and the same package costs $529.00 for three nights and $449.00 for two nights.

Chef's Holiday on a Budget

Those on a tighter budget should consider staying outside the park in Tuolumne County. You'll find the historic town of Groveland just 25 miles outside the park (about 45 minutes from the Ahwahnee). A charming option is the historic Groveland Hotel, at 18767 Main Street. Originally built in 1849, the structure is considered to be one of California's largest and oldest adobe configurations. No two rooms are alike, but all sport an elegant air of yesteryear, along with the modern convenience of private baths, luxurious robes, down comforters, in room coffee makers, and in room phones with data ports. For more information or reservations visit call 800-962-4000 or 209-962-4000 or visit www.groveland.com.

The Charlotte House is another historic hotel option in Groveland, and both the Groveland Hotel and the Charlottle House B&B have fine restaurants that serve great food and good wines at reasonable prices (in case you want something to eat away from the Chef's Holiday). For more information, call the Hotel Charlotte at 800-962-6455 or 209-962-6455 or go to www.hotelcharlotte.com.

If historic hotels are not your things, within the Groveland city limits you'll also find two newly built, B&B's with all the modern amenities a traveler needs. If this type of lodging, complete with personal service and hearty homemade breakfasts, sounds good to you, check out the Yosemite Rose (www.yosemiterose.com) or Alpenglo Bed & Breakfast at Manzanita Hill (www.manzanitahill.com).

A bit farther away (53 miles) are the historic towns of Jamestown and Sonora, both in the heart of the California Goldrush Country. For more information about staying here and exploring these fabulous old west towns, click here.

Recipes from the Chef's Holiday

• Savory Bread Pudding
• Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding
• Ahi Tuna Tartare with Yuzu and Crème Fraiche
• Ham Hock Risotto with Caramelized Pearl Onions and Hen of the Wood Mushrooms

Practicalities

You can check Dodge Ridge snow and weather conditions by calling 209-965-4444, or online. Lift hours are 9am - 4pm weekdays and 8:30 AM -4PM weekends and holidays. Half Day starts at 12:30 PM. For more information visit www.DodgeRidge.com.

You can learn more about visiting all the attractions in Tuolumne County by calling the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-446-1333 or 209-533-4420 or visit their websites: www.tcvb.com.

2005 Schedule

Session I: Sun., January 9 - Tues., January 11, 2005 Guest Chef: Scott Cohen, Executive Chef, La Mansión del Rio (San Antonio, TX) Culinary Demonstrator: Carrie Brown, Chef, Jimtown Store (Healdsburg, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Jerry Regester, Chef, Stillwater at the Lodge at Pebble Beach

Session II: Tues., January 11 - Thurs., January 13, 2005 Guest Chef: Peter Rudolph, Chef de Cuisine, Navio at the Ritz-Carlton (Half Moon Bay, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Jeffrey Powell, Chef/Proprietor, Concept Bistro (Beijing, China) Culinary Demonstrator: Jeff Mall, Executive Chef, Zin restaurant & Wine Bar (Healdsburg, CA)

Session III: Sun., January 16 - Tues., January 18, 2005 Guest Chef: Michael Chiarello, Founder/CEO, Napa Style (St. Helena, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Josh Silvers, Chef/Proprietor, Syrah (Santa Rosa, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Brandon Miller, Executive Chef, Stokes (Monterey, CA)

Session IV: Tues., January 18 - Thurs., January 20, 2005 Guest Chef: Victor Scargle, Executive Chef, COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts (Napa, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Peter Chastain, Executive Chef/Proprietor, Prima (Walnut Creek, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Richard Sandoval, Chef/Proprietor, Maya (New York, NY/San Francisco, CA), Tamayo (Denver), Pampano (New York, NY)

Session V: Sun., January 23 - Tues., January 25, 2005 "Organic and Sustainable Cuisine" Guest Chef: Michael Romano, Executive Chef, Union Square Café (New York, NY) Culinary Demonstrator: Jesse Cool, Chef/Proprietor, Flea Street Café (Menlo Park, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Annie Somerville, Executive Chef, Greens (San Francisco, CA)

Session VI: Tues., January 25 - Thurs., January 27, 2005 Guest Chef: Gerry Hayden, Chef/Partner, Amuse (New York, NY) Culinary Demonstrator: James Overbaugh, Executive Chef, Erna's Elderberry House (Oakhurst, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Michael Estrada, Chef/Managing Partner, The Falls, Paradiso (Palm Springs, CA)

Session VII: Sun., January 30 - Tues., February 1, 2005 "The Best of San Diego" Guest Chef: Bernard Guillas, Executive Chef, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (La Jolla, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Gavin Kaysen, Chef de Cuisine, El Bizcocho at Rancho Bernardo Inn (San Diego, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Riko Bartolome, Chef/Owner, Asia-Vous (Escondido, CA)

Session VIII: Tues., February 1 - Thurs., February 3, 2005 Guest Chef: Mark Sullivan, Chef/Partner, Village Pub (Woodside, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Mark Estee, Executive Chef, Moody's Bistro (Truckee, CA) Culinary Demonstrator: Joyce Goldstein, Cookbook Author (San Francisco, CA)

• Tuolumne County, California Pan For Gold Take the Ansel Adams Photography Walk Go Horseback Riding Explore (or Stay in) Historic Gold Rush Towns : Jamestown, Sonora and Groveland Investigate the Ghosts of the Gold Rush Visit Columbia State Historic Park Yosemite for Campers Yosemite for Non-Campers Visiting Yosemite in Winter Play in the Snow Go Skiing, Cross Country Skiing or Snow Boarding Take a Chef's Holiday at the Ahwahnee Hotel Where to Stay in Tuolumne County Great Places to Eat in Tuolumne County

  Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day and The Low Carb Restaurant Guide, and the co-author of US Citizenship for Dummies. To learn more about Cheri, click here.