Chef Ocean Orssten won’t have to travel far when he joins me for a cooking demo, 6 p.m. April 26 at Macy’s Valley Fair in Santa Clara.

That’s because he’s the head chef of Citrus restaurant in the Hotel Valencia across the street at Santana Row.

Born in Capitola, he grew up in the Napa Valley, raising heritage pigs when he was 12 years old and cementing his passion for farm-fresh ingredients.

After cooking at Arcadia in San Jose, La Folie in San Francisco, and Campton Place restaurant in San Francisco, he became chef at Citrus in 2011.

Come take a taste of his cooking when he shows you how to make one of his favorite dishes. You’ll get to take the recipe home, too.

The free cooking demo will take place in the culinary kitchen on the main floor of Macy’s Men’s & Home store.

Winner of Last Week’s Contest

In last week’s Food Gal contest, I asked you to tell me about a favorite keepsake that was gifted to you and why it has such important meaning. Best answer will win a hand-crafted Annieglass large Grove Plank Cheese Board (valued at $113).

Annieglass’ Grove cheese boards, which are imprinted using real wood grain from a tree. (Photo courtesy of Annieglass)

Congrats to:

Joan W., who wrote, “When I was young, my mother taught me to knit. The knitting needles were too long to hold in my tiny hands but I managed to hang on and listen to everything she said to complete the project. Knit one, pearl one, knit one….the pattern of my first project (a Barbie Doll blanket) with all the miss stitches and holes brought lots of pleasure and fun play times. I’m sure at the time all my Barbie friends wished they had a blanket too. And now many years later, I continue with the knowledge given to me to knit larger blankets (again with the same pattern of miss stitches and lots of holes) for sharing with my family and friends.”

More: My Dinner at Citrus Restaurant