<p> The Wharf Marketplace celebrated its grand opening from October 5 - 6 in Monterey County, California. Monterey County’s first fresh food hall features locally grown and produced provisions at their seasonal best, aptly named <I>The Bounty of the County</i>, according to a press release. The Wharf Marketplace features local produce, cheese, wine, flowers, seafood, meats, bakery items, and a grab-and-go café.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/inside.jpg" alt="Images 100713" /></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p> The farmer’s market, which opened in August 2013, had a variety of weekend activities for Monterey visitors and locals to become better acquainted to the fresh offerings at The Wharf Marketplace, located on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Tanimura & Antle CEO, Rick Antle, tells AndNowUKnow, “One thing about Monterey and Monterey Peninsula is that we are so close to the Salinas Valley, but there really isn’t a linkage between the two. This was an opportunity to bring everything from the fresh produce that we grow to seafood from the Port of Monterey, together in one place. Our focus is on what we produce here locally and we call it The Bounty of the County.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Activities included complimentary samples of fresh produce and raffles, face paintings, a photo booth, a corn roast, and wine tasting from select Monterey County wineries. In addition, local band Random Stranger featuring Jake Koran, John Mocettini, Ronnie McClean, Mason Brandt and Tyler Koran performed for attendees. Mike Marotta and Dave Dally and Friends also performed live.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> And finally, two local chefs, Jason Giles of Portola Plaza Hotel & Spa, and Marc Jones from the upcoming Lucky’s Roadside, competed live in The Wharf Marketplace’s first Chefs Battle of the Wharf. The two chefs had to prepare Tanimura & Antle Artisan® Sweet Italian Red Onion-based courses with ingredients provided by The Wharf Marketplace for a panel of judges. The winning chef presented $2,000 in prize money from The Wharf Marketplace and Portola Hotel & Spa to Rancho Cielo, a comprehensive learning and social services center for undeserved youth in Monterey County, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Pioneered by produce industry leader Tanimura & Antle, The Wharf Marketplaces serves as a central meeting spot that showcases only the freshest, most flavorful product, while also communicating information about the farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and artisan suppliers throughout Monterey County.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Come by The Wharf Marketplace to see the best fresh produce Monterey County has to offer!</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.thewharfmarketplace.com" target="_new"> The Wharf Marketplace</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.taproduce.com" target="_new"> Tanimura & Antle</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
