I just got back from a long weekend in San Francisco, where I was promoting my new African cookbook, The Soul of a New Cuisine. I've been there many times, but with each visit I'm always amazed at how stunning it is. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities in the world and a place I love to visit. Both in the scenery and in the architecture, it's got a vibe you don't find anywhere else in the US, and it always reminds me of Stockholm, Sydney, and Cape Town, three other cities I love that also sit on the water.

Aesthetics aside, it's a great town for anyone who cares about food. The Bay Area is home to some of the best American restaurants -- Chez Panisse, Zuni Café, The French Laundry -- but there's also an incredible diversity to the food scene there, and something new is always happening. Every time I visit, I learn about a new ingredient, like the pluot, a hybrid between a plum and apricot that's as fresh and light as an Asian pear.

I was in San Francisco for business, but I extended my trip into a long weekend because it's a great food town. San Francisco is such an interesting crossroads of fine cooking and farm land. People there really care about what they put into their mouths and where they'll have their next meal, and the local farmers provide a supply of fresh, delicious, organic foods to meet that need. As a chef, I can't think of a more dynamic combination.

Check back later this week and I'll share my must-see itinerary for a San Francisco weekend.