Top Chefs Showcase "Garden-to-Table" Menus at the 2012 San Francisco Flower & Garden Show!

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nothing says Spring like the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, the largest, world-class garden festival of its kind in the western United States www.sfgardenshow.com.  Now entering its 27th year with a greener approach that celebrates "Gardens for a Green Earth," this annual festival will be held Wednesday - Sunday, March 21-25, 2012, at the San Mateo Event Center. Back again for 2012 will be a series of popular garden-to-table cooking demonstrations featuring celebrity chefs including Annie Somerville of Greens Restaurant with Wendy Johnson of Green Gulch Zen Center and Farm, Brandon Jew of Bar Agricole, popular chef/author/TV personality Martin Yan of Yan Can Cook, James Ormsby of Bluestem Brasserie, forager Connie Green with former Mondavi chef Sarah Scott, Greg Dunmore of Nojo Restaurant, the dream team from Bi-Rite Market and Creamery, and meat-and-fish masters Melanie Eisemann and David Budworth.

The seminar speakers will cover all aspects of edible gardening including raising chickens, unusual vegetables and recipes for that bountiful harvest. This year's lineup includes Pam Pierce, author of Golden Gate Gardening, Jessie Bloom, whose title "What the Cluck" tells all, Charlie Nardozzi, Johanna Silver from Sunset Magazine, Willi Galloway and many others.

The Show this year has integrated all aspects of green living centered on gardens, food, and wine. "The Flower & Garden Show has grown into a celebration of the California lifestyle and how we connect to our landscape and environment," explained Executive Producer Weston Cook. "Because food has become so much a part of our identity, many garden designers are offering kitchen-garden ideas." Star Apple Edible and Fine Gardening is constructing an edible display proving that beauty and use can thrive in the garden.

In addition there are twenty full-sized garden installations from top Bay Area designers, and twelve small-space gardens. Seminars led by well-known experts such as PBS personality Joe Lamp'l, DIY hero Ahmed Hassan and HGTV host Gary Gragg will encourage attendees to Get Your Green On, with forward-looking garden techniques for urban, suburban and country settings.

"A major theme this year is going to be small–space gardens," said Cook. "Many of the ideas seen here should appeal not only to gardeners, but to anyone interested in sustainable practices." While experienced garden aficionados will be fascinated by the scores of seminars and book signings by top experts on a range of topics - flower arranging, design trends, water conservation, lawn alternatives and cutting edge growing walls - the festival is designed to be equally accessible to interested newcomers and area visitors seeking a unique outing. A Marketplace with over 200 vendors selling plants, seeds, tools and fabulous gift items and a special kids area called Sproutopia with hands-on learning opportunities are among the several that delight attendees from all over the Western U.S. and make this an annual activity for savvy Bay Area denizens and their families.

The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show is held at the San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive in San Mateo, conveniently located midway between San Francisco and Silicon Valley with Caltrain, BART & SamTrans access.

Show hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10am to 7pm; Sunday 10am to 6pm. Advance purchase tickets cost $16 online or at the door for a single day for $20. A multi-day, all-show pass is only $25, a half-day pass is $15 and children 16 and under are admitted free.

For Online Ticket Sales and Show information visit www.sfgardenshow.com. or call 415-684-7278.

SOURCE San Francisco Flower & Garden Show