Tim Wood
Valley Kitchen, Carmel Valley Ranch
1 Old Ranch Road, Carmel
625-9500, www.carmelvalleyranch.com
He wins competitive chili cookoffs, he wins Foragers Fest showdowns, he wins Best of Monterey County. What’s the formula? Hard to say, but easy to taste. Think shallot-apple pizzas, honey chili chicken wings, pork-and-prawn “bun cha,” wild arugula salads, ponzu-tuna poke and pink lady applesauce, delivered with a downhome approachability and, frequently, some sort of punchline. Woody’s on a roll, as this repeat victory demonstrates.