Narsai David: Happy Birthday, Chez Panisse!

BERKELEY (KCBS) - This week marks the 40th anniversary of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley.

It's pretty rare for a restaurant to go 40 years or let alone 5 to 10 years these days because people's tastes change and their attitudes change.

But Alice Waters not only kept up with the times but stayed one step ahead of the times with the use of organic produce, meats grown in a humane way, and fish that's always sustainable.

So much taken for granted now in the restaurant industry dates back to Chez Panisse and what Alice Waters has done from the beginning.

And there are so many spinoffs including Acme Bread Company, Cocolat chocolate, and Pig by the Tail Charcuterie. There are chefs all over the country and abroad who can trace their beginnings back to Chez Panisse. Happy Birthday to Chez Panisse!

-Narsai David, KCBS Food and Wine Editor

Click here to listen to all of Narsai's podcasts

Narsai David is the KCBS Food and Wine Editor. He has been a successful restaurateur, chef, TV host, and columnist in the Bay Area spanning four decades. You can hear him Saturdays at 10:53am, 12:53pm and 4:53pm, and at 2:53am Sunday on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)