The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco Launches Culinary Tours

Offered to hotel guests and members of the community, the first four Inside the Kitchen tours will take place on August 10, 17, 24 and 31. Led by Mayclem and featuring notable local chefs, artisans and bartenders, each tour will explore a different theme -- from San Francisco's history and food legends to craft cocktails and chocolate.

“Liam Mayclem is a local treasure and a longtime friend of The Ritz-Carlton. We're honored to be the exclusive partner in his new San Francisco culinary tours. His enthusiasm, expertise, connections and relationships with local chefs, bar stars and industry insiders will make the Inside the Kitchen experience unlike any other available in San Francisco,” said the hotel's general manager, Allen Highfield.

The first Inside the Kitchen tours are inspired by San Francisco's neighborhoods, as well as the city's food history and current trends. Each tour includes round-trip transportation from The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, at least four tour stops with tastes along the way, special keepsake mementos, a Ritz-Carlton signature tote, and a four-course group dinner at Parallel 37 by Chef Michael Rotondo at the conclusion of the evening.

The Summer 2013 Inside the Kitchen schedule is as follows:

Valencia Street: Gourmet Corridor
Saturday, August 10
Tour begins at 1 p.m. and departs from the lobby at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco,
600 Stockton Street at California

Valencia Street, in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District, has become a hotbed of culinary talent and innovation over the past several years. This tour goes inside some of the area's most buzzed-about kitchens, starting with a taco-making session with Chef Telmo Fario at Tacolicious. Dandelion Chocolates follows for a tasting and chocolate factory tour, then onto Abbot's Cellar for a craft beer pairing. The final stop is the modern Craftsman & Wolves to learn the secrets to a perfect pastry with chef and owner William Werner, before returning to The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco for dinner in Parallel 37 at 5:30 p.m. ($299 per person, including tax and gratuity and exclusive of optional $60 sommelier-selected beverage pairing during dinner.)

A Taste of San Francisco
Saturday, August 17
Tour begins at 1 p.m. and departs from the lobby at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco,
600 Stockton Street at California

Go behind the scenes of San Francisco's famous sourdough bread, including a tasting, tour and exploration of the city's food history at the flagship location of Boudin Bakery at Fisherman's Wharf. Next, venture to Buena Vista Café for a glass of their famous Irish Coffee in North Beach, followed by a lesson in pizza making at Tony's Pizza Napoletana (voted Best Pizza in America by USA Today). Then it's onto Tadich Grill, which has been in business since 1849 and is known for its cioppino, a fish stew that originated in San Francisco. The tour concludes with dinner in Parallel 37 at 5:30 p.m. ($299 per person, including tax and gratuity and exclusive of optional $60 sommelier-selected beverage pairing during dinner.)

San Francisco's China
Saturday, August 24
Tour begins at 1 p.m. and departs from the lobby at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco,
600 Stockton Street at California

This tour highlights the treasured culture and cuisine of China, with a San Francisco twist. Liam Mayclem will be joined by his good friend, journalist Ben Fong-Torres, who will start the tour with the secrets of Chinatown and a stop at one of his favorite restaurants. Then it's onto the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory for a cookie-making demo and tasting, followed by a stop at Golden Gate Bakery for a sampling of their savory and sweet treats. Venture from the traditional to the modern with the final two stops, at celebrity chef Martin Yan's M.Y. China for a noodle pulling demonstration and tasting, and Hakkasan for cocktails and dessert bites with Chef Courtney Lewis. The tour concludes back at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco with a group dinner at Parallel 37 created by Chef Michael Rotondo at 5:30 p.m. ($299 per person, including tax and gratuity and exclusive of optional $60 sommelier-selected beverage pairing during dinner.)

The Craft of the Cocktail
Saturday, August 31
Tour begins at 1 p.m. and departs from the lobby at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco,
600 Stockton Street at California

San Francisco is known internationally for its cocktail culture and history, from the Barbary Coast of the 1800s to present-day innovators. This tour starts at Comstock Saloon in North Beach, a bar and restaurant that meticulously recreates the Barbary Coast era where owner and author Jeff Hollinger will pour a drink or two and share tales of the early days of the city's cocktail mavericks while sharing some turn-of-the-century bites. Then explore the city's very own pirate lair at the next stop, Smuggler's Cove, widely regarded as one of the best Tiki bars in the United States, for a Tiki lesson from owner and rum expert Martin Cate. The journey continues with a whisky tasting at Chef Charles Phan's newest restaurant and bar, Hard Water. The final stop on the tipsy trail is a gin tasting with Distillery No. 209's master distiller Arne Hillesland before ending the evening with cocktails and dinner at Parallel 37 at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, provided by bar star Camber Lay and Chef Michael Rotondo. ($299 per person, including tax and gratuity and exclusive of optional $60 sommelier-selected beverage pairing during dinner. Guest must be at least 21 years old to participate.)

Known locally as the KCBS Radio “Foodie Chap” and Emmy Award-winning host of “Eye on the Bay” on CBS 5, Liam Mayclem began his broadcasting career in London, England. He has cooked with the world's top chefs, including Thomas Keller, Jamie Oliver, Jacques Pepin, Nigella Lawson, Martin Yan, Roland Passot and many more. He also leads international culinary tours and has upcoming trips with AAA to Japan, Taiwan and Thailand.

Reservations for the Inside the Kitchen culinary tours are required in advance, and each tour is limited to 12 participants. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy. Tour itineraries are subject to change. For reservations and additional information, please call Melissa Loos at 415-773-6199 or visit www.anyroad.com/insidethekitchen