Summer 2026

BEST OF THE CARMEL POLICE LOG… Officer flagged down by reporting party regarding a lost black purse. Reporting party later reached out stating they found the involved purse. No crime. SHORT CUTS CARMEL CONFIDENTIAL C armel Valley Ranch Pastry Chef Molly Coen was named the winner of Food Network’s “Ultimate Baking Championship,” which aired for nine episodes ending in May. Sixteen elite pastry chefs from across the U.S. participated in the show, pursuing a $50,000 prize as they tackled challenges related to flavor profiles, edible artistic displays and science-in- spired themes. Jesse Palmer hosted the series, and "Ace of Cakes" star Duff Goldman led a panel of celebrity judges. Coen joined the Carmel Valley Ranch team in late 2025, after working at the Four Seasons Hotel Denver and graduating from Johnson & Wales University. Throughout summer 2026, the resort's Valley Kitchen will feature a special s’mores recipe that Coen made on the show. On weekends, The Market & Creamery will also showcase rotating desserts inspired by her award-winning competition recipes. The Monterey Regional Airport and Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History unveiled a new exhibit that explores Monterey County landscapes through the lens of history, art and science. “The Art of Observation: Recording Monterey County’s Natural World” highlights the relationship between place and creativity. It also aims to inspire the more than 500,000 trav- elers who fly into Monterey County annually, promoting conservation and care for California’s natural wonders. Exhibit highlights include Don Wobber’s jade carvings, basketry by Linda Yamane and Violet Smith, woodcuts by Wesley Haack and other works. PG Museum Exhibitions Coordinator Maya Sosa curated the exhibit together with Nate King, collections and research senior man- ager, and Rachel M. Miller, the museum’s director. The Monterey Regional Airport will host “The Art of Observation” through March 2027. Carmel Valley cookbook author, recipe developer and podcaster Caroline Chambers was named a CBS News contributor in January. Chambers writes the popular newslet- ter “What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking,” and her book by the same name is a New York Times bestseller. It was also named a best cookbook of 2024 by Bon Appétit and the Food Network. Chambers debuted her first cookbook, “Just Married,” in 2018, and her latest project, “What to Cook When You 72 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 6 Photo: Courtesy of Carmel Valley Ranch Pastry Chef Molly Coen puts the finishing touch on the type of delectable dessert that helped her take home the win from “Ultimate Baking Championship.” Local Art and Cuisine Shine Natural Beauty C al State Monterey Bay has received the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, which recognizes institutions meeting a standard of commitment to community and agency partnerships. CSUMB is one of only 38 institutions to consistently maintain the classifi- cation since the award’s 2006 introduction. In 2024 and 2025, the univer- sity’s service-learning program provided 82,000 volunteer hours at 471 sites in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. That represents an estimated $2.8 million impact on the local economy. CSUMB Receives Special Recognition