Yakima's A Touch of Europe Bed and Breakfast Offers European Style to Wine Country

More than just a historical bed and breakfast,  A Touch of Europe is a culinary treasure in the Yakima Valley wine country. Erika and James (Jim) Cenci have operated their B&B for the past 12 years in Yakima and have worked hard to create a true Victorian atmosphere with old-world European hospitality and charm.

Raised and trained in West Berlin, Chef Erika went through a German Chef apprenticeship in the 1950's. She and Jim met while he was abroad in the air force in 1958. After their marriage in 1960 they remained in Europe for 16 years before coming to the states. They decided to provide "a touch of Europe" through Erika's cuisine when they first opened their catering company in Tacoma. After five years, they moved the business to Yakima becoming one of the few Chef owned B&B's in the country.

"She's the magician in the kitchen and I'm the support staff," says Jim proudly of his wife's culinary expertise.

At A Touch of Europe, all guests are treated to a European, candlelit breakfast. To add a bit of adventure to cuisine, guests, locals or visitors can arrange private, multi-course dinners, creatively prepared by Chef Erika. Chef Erika and James personally work with each guest to create a personalized menu and will also make suggested wine pairings for the menu. Entrees include organically grown beefalo (crossbred domestic cattle and buffalo) with a port wine sauce, Australian farm fed rack of lamb prepared Mediterranean style with fresh fruits and naturally fed guinea hens flown in from New York. Entrees are selected and Chef Erika adds her own unique accompaniments such as black tie rice soufflé, parsnip pear bisque or rutabagas roasted with fresh herbs and olive oil.

"My goal is to provide the freshest local meats, fish and vegetables available," says Chef Erika. Her ingredients arrive Fed -Ex from game farms and other natural resources and currently Chef Erika's menu is almost entirely organic.

In addition to their beautiful, fresh and organic menu options, Erika and Jim make suggestions to guests for only Washington wine pairings. Some of their favorites are produced from Yakima Valley fruit and include wineries such as Kiona, Thurston Wolfe and L'Ecole No 41.

Now on her third cookbook, Chef Erika is focusing on a new addition including how and where her ingredients are procured from and how they are raised.

"We do all we can to make our guests' stay in Yakima and in our home as memorable as possible," say the Cencis.

For more information on a Touch of Europe, call 509-454-9775 or 888-438-7073 or e-mail AToEurope@msn.com.

From JUICE, The Latest on Washington Wine Country, March 2007

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