Chef’s Challenge focuses on sustainability

Chef’s Challenge focuses on sustainability
The second speaker for the event will be Jim Varner, owner of Varner Wine along with his brother Bob. Varner Wine will contribute wine to the Chef’s Challenge. In creating and operating their business, Varner said they use sustainable methods like avoiding pesticides, treating employees like family and redesigning their wine bottles to be lighter. Sustainability wasn’t a big part of winemaking when he and his brother started, Varner said, but they just felt better about it — they wanted to live better.

“It’s an awareness more than a mind-set,” Varner said. “We’re all against the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, but we’re all driving big cars ... we’re as guilty as anyone about it. If we can decide how to spend our money, businesses will respond to that.”

It’s not hard to make small changes, Varner said, and being more sustainable helps the environment but also helps the individual have a calmer, better life. Simple things like hanging up clothes rather than using a dryer, walking more instead of driving and going to farmers’ markets are all ideas Varner suggests.

Schulte said he hopes the Chef’s Challenge will turn into a continuing aspect of Sustainable San Mateo County to show what the county offers. Reservations can be made on the Sustainable San Mateo County’s website at www.sustainablesanmateo.org for $75.