Carmel in Style - Michael Merritt and Kurt Grasing

Chef Kurt Grasing and Michael Merritt, AIFD, CFD
Kurt Grasing's Restaurant Kurt Grasing has worked in some of the finest restaurants in the world. His apprenticeship began at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco, after which he refined his craft at Narsai's in Berkely, first as a saucier and then as chef. Later he worked at the Pierre Hotel in New York City as executive sous chef. In the yers that followed, he was at the three-star La Gavroche in London and the Four Seasons in Boston, then left to open 231 Ellsworth in San Mateo in 1986, which was soon considered to be one the top restaurants in California. In March 1998, Kurt created Grasing's Coastal Cuisine. In an impressive first year it received enthusiatic reviews and was voted "Best New Restaurant" and "Best Chef" by the readers of Adventures in Dining magazine. More recently, Grasing's has been featured in Bon Appetit magazine's Best of the Year issue in 2004, and was awarded Carmel Business Association's "Business of the Year" award. Carmel magazine proclaimed Gerasing's as the "Critics Choice." In 2007, Grasing's was again awarded the Carmel Business Association's "Restaurant of the Year" award. Chef also received a "Celebrated Chef of the Year" award from the AMerican Culinary Federation's Monterey Chapter that same year. As a restaurant with a most impressive contemporary menu, Grasing's offers the finest coastal cuisine pair with a Wine Spectator magazine award winning wine list featuring the best California wines.	Michael Twigery - Michael Merritt Floral Design Michael Merritt, AIFD, is a renowned master in the world of floral art. He is as comfortable creating wreaths, baskets and floral designs as he is the decorations for a party of 1,000 Washington DC political guests.His designs are an eclectic melange, a marriage of all materials, that express pleasure and beauty. Michael's cross-country and international travels have taken him to grace the stages of respected garden clubs, museums, wholesale houses and educational institutions to the delight of hundreds of aspiring designers each year. In addition to his travels displaying his creative talent, Michael's designs are showcased at Twigery, which he and his wife Cheryl own and operate. His artistry has also been featured in many periodicals to enlighten and educate the design world. Michael's unique and engaging style blends knowledge and creativity promising to design works of art for any event, wedding, party, or even weekly arrangements for your home. Michael is also available for floral design seminars and private or group design classes. He has an eye for detail that is essential to create a magical ambiance and lasting memory for your event. Twigery was voted Florist of the Year by the local newspaper, and has been featured in Sunset* magazine. __________ *Michael is an accredited member of the American Institute of Floral Designers. AIFD was established in 1965 by a small group of leading floral designers dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design as a professional career. Accredited Membership in AIFD is selective. With over 1,200 members worldwide, AIFD and its members are in the forefront of the industry in presenting educational and design programs. Michael was recently named as a Laureate charter member of AIFD.
Back to the main page

Chef Kurt Grasing and Michael Merritt, AIFD, CFD

Kurt Grasing has worked in some of the finest restaurants in the world. His apprenticeship began at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco, after which he refined his craft at Narsai's in Berkely, first as a saucier and then as chef.

Later he worked at the Pierre Hotel in New York City as executive sous chef. In the yers that followed, he was at the three-star La Gavroche in London and the Four Seasons in Boston, then left to open 231 Ellsworth in San Mateo in 1986, which was soon considered to be one the top restaurants in California.

In March 1998, Kurt created Grasing's Coastal Cuisine. In an impressive first year it received enthusiatic reviews and was voted "Best New Restaurant" and "Best Chef" by the readers of Adventures in Dining magazine. More recently, Grasing's has been featured in Bon Appetit magazine's Best of the Year issue in 2004, and was awarded Carmel Business Association's "Business of the Year" award.

Carmel magazine proclaimed Gerasing's as the "Critics Choice." In 2007, Grasing's was again awarded the Carmel Business Association's "Restaurant of the Year" award. Chef also received a "Celebrated Chef of the Year" award from the AMerican Culinary Federation's Monterey Chapter that same year.

As a restaurant with a most impressive contemporary menu, Grasing's offers the finest coastal cuisine pair with a Wine Spectator magazine award winning wine list featuring the best California wines.

Michael

Twigery - Michael Merritt Floral Design

Michael Merritt, AIFD*, is a renowned master in the world of floral art. He is as comfortable creating wreaths, baskets and floral designs as he is the decorations for a party of 1,000 Washington DC political guests.His designs are an eclectic melange, a marriage of all materials, that express pleasure and beauty.

Michael's cross-country and international travels have taken him to grace the stages of respected garden clubs, museums, wholesale houses and educational institutions to the delight of hundreds of aspiring designers each year.

In addition to his travels displaying his creative talent, Michael's designs are showcased at Twigery, which he and his wife Cheryl own and operate. His artistry has also been featured in many periodicals to enlighten and educate the design world.

Michael's unique and engaging style blends knowledge and creativity promising to design works of art for any event, wedding, party, or even weekly arrangements for your home. Michael is also available for floral design seminars and private or group design classes. He has an eye for detail that is essential to create a magical ambiance and lasting memory for your event.

Twigery was voted Florist of the Year by the local newspaper, and has been featured in Sunset magazine.

__________
*Michael is an accredited member of the American Institute of Floral Designers. AIFD was established in 1965 by a small group of leading floral designers dedicated to recognizing and promoting the art of floral design as a professional career. Accredited Membership in AIFD is selective. With over 1,200 members worldwide, AIFD and its members are in the forefront of the industry in presenting educational and design programs. Michael was recently named as a Laureate charter member of AIFD.

Back to the main page