SAN FRANCISCO— Although Bay Area chefs were stiffed in Food and Wine's picks for 2015's Best New Chefs, redemption has sort of been found via the People's Choice award. Chef Ari Weiswasser of Sonoma's Glen Ellen Star has been voted in as the California winner of the competition, chosen from nominees all over the state, including SF's Yoni Levy (Alta), Evan and Sarah Rich (Rich Table) and Nicholas Delaroque (Nico). [EaterWire]
NOE VALLEY— Free cookies, anyone? Serious cookie lovers should head over to Omnivore Books tomorrow, for a signing and talk with Mindy Segal, award-winning pastry chef and author of a new book, Cookie Love. She'll be sharing some of her secrets for jazzing up classic cookie recipes, while co-author Kate Leahy will provide a tasting of cookies from the book, including hot fudge rugelach and strawberry rhubarb rugelach. The signing takes place Friday, April 10 from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. [EaterWire]
SAN FRANCISCO— The Giants are back, and to celebrate the first home game of the season, Spoonrocket is delivering a special combo meal ($8) of bratwurst, cracker jacks and faux playoff beards all over town. Customers who don the lucky beard are encouraged to post photos of their fake (or real) beards on Instagram, tagged with #spoonrocketplayoffbeards— the photo with the most likes will win a one-month supply of Spoonrocket meals. East Bay and SF customers can order from 10 a.m. to midnight on Monday, April 13. [EaterWire]
MISSION— The Food & Farm Film Fest is coming to town, as a celebration of food and the places it comes from. Check out the many documentaries and films asking the tough questions about our food system and buy tickets here. The festival will take place at the Roxie, April 17-19. [EaterWire]