Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking Season 2 Episode 5 Portland Wine Collective

In season 2 episode 5 of Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking, the show travels to the Pacific Northwest to explore the vibrant food and wine scene of Portland, Oregon. Host Pete Evans is joined by Chef Gregory Gourdet, executive chef at Portland's popular restaurant Departure, as they embark on a culinary adventure that celebrates the region's diverse and flavorful cuisine.

The episode begins at the Portland Wine Collective, a tasting room and event space where local winemakers come together to showcase their products. Evans and Gourdet meet with three different winemakers, each with their own unique approach to winemaking. The first stop is with Andrew Rich, who focuses on Rhône-style blends and single varietals. Next up is Marcus Goodfellow of Goodfellow Family Cellars, who believes in minimal intervention winemaking and letting the grapes speak for themselves. Finally, the duo visits the urban winery Division Winemaking Company, where winemakers Tom Monroe and Kate Norris experiment with a variety of grape varietals and have a particular affinity for Gamay Noir.

With an array of wines to choose from, Gourdet prepares a multi-course meal that showcases the regional ingredients and flavors of the Pacific Northwest. The first dish is a sea urchin and crab roll, which is a blend of the fresh seafood that is abundant in the area. Next, Gourdet prepares a beet salad with blackberries, fennel, and pistachios, using ingredients that are in season and locally sourced.

For the main course, Gourdet prepares lamb chops with charred cabbage and miso mustard. The lamb is sourced from a local farm and is a staple of the region's meat scene. To complement the meal, Evans suggests a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley, a region just south of Portland that is renowned for its Pinot Noir grapes.

To cap off the meal, Gourdet prepares a stunning dessert of poached cherries with hazelnut granola and crème fraîche. The cherries are picked from a local orchard, and the hazelnuts are grown in the Willamette Valley. The dessert perfectly captures the essence of the region's ingredients and flavors.

Throughout the episode, Evans and Gourdet also explore the vibrant food scene of Portland, visiting local markets and eateries to learn about the cuisine and culture of the area. They visit the Portland Farmers Market, where they meet with local farmers and producers to learn about the variety of fresh ingredients available in the region. They also visit Toro Bravo, a popular tapas bar that is known for its inventive small plates and locally sourced ingredients.

Overall, Moveable Feast with Fine Cooking season 2 episode 5 is a celebration of the Pacific Northwest's vibrant food and wine scene. With the help of local winemakers and chefs, Evans and Gourdet showcase the best that the region has to offer, highlighting the diversity of flavors, ingredients, and culinary traditions that make the area so unique.