goddess dressing (mayonnaise, anchovies, tarragon,
chives and parsley) and hearty Monterey-style pasta.
Costco mirrors California food trends, with top
consideration centered on fresh, seasonal products
and healthy eating options. (See www.costco.com’s
warehouse locator for information and location of
all California Costco warehouses.) Expect to find
pomegranates, pluots (a cross between a plum and
an apricot), kiwis, Hass avocados, Campari tomatoes,
fresh figs (Calimyrna, Black Mission, Brown Turkey),
donut peaches, Brentwood corn, Crenshaw and
casaba melons, Kirkland Signature tripe, beef tongue,
flap meat (a Hispanic item that’s perfect for carne
asada and fajitas), beef brisket, tri-tip steak, pork
back ribs, Atlantic salmon and much more.
Regionally, the southern California warehouses
focus on healthy alternatives such as organic and soy
products, nutrition bars, nuts and jerky, natural
cereals, olive oil, soy milk (refrigerated and shelf
stable) and low-fat products, as well as items for
Mexican and Asian cuisines such as noodle bowls,
beef and pork chorizo, uncooked tortillas and
tamales. Los Angeles warehouses offer an even
greater array of health foods and Mexican-related
culinary products, while the Bay Area is of course
well stocked with wines from Napa, Sonoma,
Livermore Valley, Monterey, Santa Cruz and the
Sierra Foothills, as well as other fine local products
such as dried fruits, sparkling cider, pastas and
world-famous Jelly Bellies.
Chef Jeremiah Tower changed the face of
American cooking in the 1970s, when he began
applying his commonsense cooking style to
California-grown ingredients. In the process he
elevated food from the simple to the sublime,
becoming one of the country’s greatest chefs and a
crusader for California Cuisine. He has received
many accolades, including the Outstanding Chef
Award from the James Beard Foundation. His
most recent cookbooks include Jeremiah Tower
Cooks and California Dish.
