We are on the cusp of another wonderful summer in Mendocino. It was actually hot last week but has since reverted to our expected cool clear spring days.

The Mendocino Film Festival just ended and it was far superior to the inaugural attempt last year. I anticipate a great future for the May event. The Anderson Valley Pinot Festival, due to lack of scheduling imagination, was on the same weekend but next year they will be a week apart, giving our guests two May weekend visiting opportunities in addition to Memorial Day.

The Whitegate is in a period of good karma. One of our favorite guests kept extending her stay day by day. Her intuition paid dividends on the 6th day when she met old friends of her parents and brother at the breakfast table. Now everyone is a friend. Then on the 7th day, this same guest met a new guy and stayed two more days. We hope she returns to the Whitegate often. I don’t want to advertise our match making services but you never know…..We do try to sell romance.

Our new web site has been very well received. Online bookings are increasing and favorable comments abound. If you haven’t had a chance to view it yet please do.

As a reminder of what the summer holds for you in Mendocino, I want to emphasize our upcoming events.

WINE SONG is a nationally recognized charity wine auction and tasting attended by more than 1100 guests. The popularity of this prestigious event guarantees a sellout crowd every year and creates a festive atmosphere in the beautiful Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. September 8, 2007. Get more details at www.winesong.org.

WINE BY THE SEA - Fantastic Mendocino wines, the rich bounty of Mendocino foods and world class entertainment will be featured at the first ever WINE BY THE SEA event scheduled for June 22 and 23. Details can be found at www.MendoWine.com. This event will be a blow out!

MENDOCINO MUSIC FESTIVAL - Our final featured event is the world famous MENDOCINO MUSIC FESTIVAL. Held this year from July 10 - 21st, it will once again be located under its signature tent on the Mendocino Headlands. As eclectic as we are, this event has been the mainstay of our summers here for over 25 years. It features orchestral, chamber, opera, jazz, big band and just plain fun. For more information and tickets please go to www.MendocinoMusic.com.



RECIPE OF THE MONTH: WHITEGATE INN CHEESE SOUFFLES

We have gotten numerous requests for the recipe for our wonderful cheese soufflé, usually served on Saturday mornings. The recipe is for 14 but it can be reduced as needed. I recommend ramekins which aren’t excessively fluted as they are harder to clean.

Ingredients:
1 package seasoned croutons, any brand
½ lb shredded cheddar cheese
½ pound shredded jack cheese
1 bunch green onions sliced
1 package cream cheese cut into small cubes
28 eggs
4 ¼ cups whole milk
1 t. salt
½ t pepper
1 t dry mustard
4 shakes of tobasco

Directions:
Pam the ramekins
Cover the bottom of ramekins with seasoned croutons.
Mix the cheeses together.
Top croutons with the shredded cheese. Fill the ramekins with cheese to the top.
Sprinkle green onions on top.
Place 4-6 cubes of cream cheese on top of that.

Mix together the 28 eggs (2 eggs per serving if you make less than 14), the milk, salt, pepper, dry mustard and tobasco and mix well in blender or by hand.
Pour the egg mixture SLOWLY over the ramekin until full to the brim.

At this point the dish can be frozen or placed in the refrigerator overnight. If frozen for a future date, take out of the freezer the afternoon before and place at room temperature for about 2 hours, Then refrigerate overnight.

Cook at 350 about 50-55 minutes, depending on oven. Should be brown on top and should rise to at least about ½ inch above top of ramekin.
Serve quickly as soufflés fall fast at room temperature and you want to impress your guests by showing them how puffy your creations have become.

Finally, bask in the glow and compliments of your guests and make them believe you got up at 5 AM to fix them this perfect breakfast.

Call us at 800-531-7282 if you have any questions.

	We returned from Switzerland and a visit with our wonderful grandson Elliot. We were able to see him hold his head up and start to smile. The best part was seeing what wonderful parents his parents have become. We won’t see him until August at the earliest and we can’t wait. Fortunately there are plenty of pictures of him smiling. Pardon the bragging. It can’t be helped.
Whitegate Inn and Abigails Bed and Breakfast Email us at staff@whitegateinn.com or call us at 800-531-7282 or fax us at 707-937-1131 or book online at whitegateinn.com