2021 Carol Field Award

November 18, 2021

Darrell Corti was the recipient of the 2021 Carol Field Award for Italian Culture and Cuisine presented by the Italian Consulate General of San Francisco on behalf of the Italian Government, the Italian Academy of Cuisine in San Francisco, and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. The ceremony was a very low key event due to the pandemic and was held at the Refettorio San Francisco which was formerly Cala Restaurant.

We arrived at the Refettorio around 3:15 pm. We had some time to kill, so Darrell suggested we take a walk around the block to have a cocktail at the Hayes Street Grill.

The Hayes Street Grill was closed, so we walked a bit further down and came across the Arlequin Wine Bar & Merchant. Darrell was curious, so we took a look inside and found quite an eclectic selection of wine. They were offering a tasting flight of either red wine, or white wine, so Darrell collected one of each for us to try. We sat and tasted the wines, which were all interesting. Notes are pictured below.

After finishing the wine flights, we went back to the Refettorio and found that some of the VIPs who organized the event had arrived. We started to mingle, sip wine, and nosh on Parmigiano Reggiano topped with Balsamic Vinegar as more guests arrived including Darrell's long time dear friend Alice Waters of Chez Panisse.

After a solid hour of reception, the festivities were begun by Sergio Strozzi, the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, who presented the 2021 Carol Field Award to Darrell. Darrell accepted the award and gave a speech. Also speaking were Alice Waters and Claudio Tarchi, President of the Italian Academy of Cuisine in San Francisco . Carol Field's son Matt was also present.

With the awards given and the speeches made, it was time to eat. There was a simple buffet line with meat lasagna, vegetable lasagna, couscous salad, pomegranate salad, and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

The event was well enjoyed and everyone was genuinely appreciative that Darrell was this year's winner.