Thanks for all your nice comments and emails regarding the Saveur 100. You can imagine how flattered we are and how much new work is coming poor Joan's way. It's like Christmas all over again here at the warehouse. I don't know if the list is any particular order but we're going to go ahead and assume that "number two" means we're at the top of the list.

I get asked a lot about baked beans, but being a native Californian, I'm more helpful with things like Drunken Beans or refrieds. The January issue of Food + Wine magazine has a wonderful dish that takes the best of the baked bean tradition and matches it with some great heirlooms, and mentions Rancho Gordo as well. I can tell you what I'm doing this weekend... Maple-Glazed Beans from Food + Wine Magazine, January 2008 Ingredients * 1 pound yellow eye or navy beans, soaked overnight and drained * 2 cloves * 1 small onion, sliced 1/2 inch thick *...

Wow. A customer at the farmers market asked me about Gourmet magazine and I smiled and didn't understand what she was talking about. Then another customer mentioned seeing the beans in Gourmet, and then another. Was it true? Guess what? Yes! "Delicious bites of history." I couldn't have said it better myself. Clearly I'm proud, but it's even more gratifying that people "get" what we're doing with the heritage beans and indigenous foods. I can only tell you what is was like in the beginning, going to farmers markets by myself, sometimes doing six a week and having to explain...

San Francisco's wonderful writing chef, Daniel Patterson of Coi, has written a great article on heirloom varieties for San Francisco magazine (Ocotber 2007). I'm flattered to be mentioned and of course have been walking around with a swollen head. You can read Daniel's article online or wait for the inevitable book. He's a compelling writer and a good listener.