About this Event
What’s better than truffle cuisine? Truffle cuisine with the people you love — demonstrated live by a couple who’ve been inspiring and making each other laugh in the kitchen for 35 years.
Bruce Aidells once described cooking at home with his wife Nancy Oakes this way: “I’m an ex-chef and she’s a current chef, so we’re not used to people telling us what to do. We do things our own way. Even how a piece of bread gets sliced is debated: I would cut it perpendicular and she’s going to cut on a bias.”
That is exactly what you’re in for on Friday, January 15. And it’s going to be delicious fun!
Welcome to Couples & Truffles — an entertaining, delicious, and romantic Friday night kickoff to the Napa Truffle Festival weekend. Michelin-starred chef and Boulevard co-owner Nancy Oakes and her ‘Sausage King’ husband Bruce Aidells, founder of Aidells Sausage Company, author of a dozen cookbooks, and self-described devotee of truffles, take the stage at CIA at COPIA’s stunning Vintners Theater to demonstrate two truffle dishes, as they share their cooking secrets, and do what they’ve been doing for 35 years: cook brilliantly, teach generously, and disagree lively about almost everything.
At Couples & Truffles, chefs Nancy and Bruce share the stage to demonstrate cooking with truffles with two distinct culinary voices collaborating on two beautiful and delicious truffle dishes for one very entertaining evening. Nancy brings the precision and sensory elegance of Boulevard’s Michelin-starred California kitchen; Bruce brings the bold, curious, scholar-of-flavor energy of a man who has spent decades making the argument that great ingredients and great technique deserve each other equally. Together, they bring something unique: the real, unscripted dynamic of two people who genuinely love food, love each other, and have never once agreed on how to slice bread.
As they cook, you’ll get the inside view — the sourcing secrets, the techniques, the truffle wisdom, and the frank, hilarious commentary that only comes from a couple who’ve been cooking together (and for each other) for 35 years. Bruce admits that: “neither of us know how to cook for small groups so we make a lot of food” — which means you won’t go home hungry. Ask them anything. They’ll answer. They may not agree.
Between demos, you’ll sample four tasting portions of truffle dishes prepared by Chef Nancy, two of which Nancy and Bruce will demonstrate. All paired with exceptional wines, selected to showcase the black truffle’s profound and elegantly earthy depth. You’ll receive recipes for all four dishes to take home.
Fear not, our beloved truffle-hunting dogs will be making an appearance before the night is over. Petting is encouraged!
Two celebrated culinary minds. One magnificently opinionated marriage. A whole lot of fresh Périgord black truffles. The banter is free. The truffles are extraordinary. And the food is fabulous!
Price includes:Live truffle cooking demonstration by legendary Chefs Nancy Oakes & Bruce AidellsFour tasting portions of truffle dishes prepared by Chef NancyWine tasting and pairingMeet the truffle dogs (petting encouraged!)Four take-home truffle recipes from Nancy and BruceAll wines, taxes, and gratuities
Tickets are very limited. This event is open to 21+ guests only.
Please note: this is not intended to be a full dinner. All food served will be tasting portions.
Event venue & nearby stays
CIA at Copia (The Culinary Institute of America), 500 1st Street, Napa, United States
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