Top Chef Executive Event at Palace Ballroom

I will be a judge at this event on February 1 and I wanted to share. This event is part of United Way of King County’s program to fight hunger. It is a really great cause and will be a fun event. Also, learn more about Hunger Action Week coming up in March.

Four chefs from the Tom Douglas stable will pair off with four local execs to prepare a sumptuous meal using ingredients typically found at a food bank. Chef Douglas and a celebrity panel will judge the results. Come cheer on your favorite cheftestants and cast your vote with a donation to United Way. The team with the tastiest food and most votes (aka, dollars!) wins.

If you have questions about this event, please contact Marie Zahradnik at 206.461.8475 or uwkcrsvp@uwkc.org.

Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Address:
Palace Ballroom
2100 Fifth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
United States
If you’d like to attend this event you can register online.

Day 7: Foodportunity Resolutions and Giveaway: Win a $25 Gift Card to Lot 3, Barrio or Purple

Day 7: Foodportunity Resolutions and Giveaway. Win a $25 Gift Card to Lot 3. Barrio or Purple Restaurants. Thanks Google Places!

Winner of Day 7: ECkids, Please contact me for your prize.

Day 7: Today’s giveaway is a $25 Gift Card to any restaurant from the Heavy Restaurant Group. Your choice of Lot No.3, Barrio or Purple. This gift card is brought to you by Google Places.

Resolution 7: Spend more time with your friends. Enjoy those moments. Life gets busy and it is easy to feel like you are connected with the people you love via Facebook. Make it your priority to go out with an old friend and have dinner. Moments like those are priceless.

For those new to Google places, Google Places is a local recommendation engine that connects people with the places they love. You can easily find, rate and review places you’re familiar with, share your opinions with friends, and as you and your friends rate and review more places, you’ll see recommendations based on your tastes and those of your friends in your local search results. Google Places is great for users, as it helps them find new places they might like, and it’s great for businesses and organizations to help them get discovered and increase awareness.

And before I continue. Foodportunity tickets are still on sale. Tickets sell out for this event so if you intend to go then don’t miss it. It is THE networking event for everyone food-related. Lots of food, chefs and networking for $25. Now go get your tickets. More information at Foodportunity.com . And Metropolitan Market is the main sponsor so that means that there will be lots of goodies.

Now for the contest! This one will run until 3:00 pm tomorrow. It is the last one this week so we wanted to make sure that you have time to enter.
Don’t forget to share information about the next Foodportunity event, tickets here.

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving away something that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books, dinners and other fun rewards.

How do you enter?

Bonus Entry: Get 3 entries. Like our Foodportunity Facebook Page. Let us know.

Bonus Entry: Follow @GoogleSeattle and mention your favorite restaurant and why. Comment back and let me know.

Bonus Entry: Get 3 entries for every place you review on Google places. Comment here to let me know.

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted) Use Hashtag #foodprt
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send the prize your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

Day 6: Foodportunity Resolutions and Giveaway. Win Cakespy’s New Book

Day 6: Foodportunity Resolutions and Giveaway! Today’s giveaway is Cakespy’s New Book, Sweet Treats for a Sugar -Filled Life. ($22.95 value)

Kalyn, you won this giveaway, contact me for your prize!

Resolution 6: Lighten up! Seriously, sometimes you just need a good laugh. And Cakespy’s new book will leave you all smiles.

Jessie Oleson is known in the blogosphere as the dessert spy, illustrator and gallery owner behind Cakespy.com. She spends her time searching high and low for all the best desserts in town. Her book is full of recipes to make original and unique desserts at home.
Some are a little outrageous like Biscuits with Chocolate Gravy and Birthday Cake French Toast and others will surprise you like Homemade Cadbury Cream Eggs, Cupcake- Stuffed Cupcakes and Twice Fried Doughnuts. If you like sweets and really cute things then you will want this book.

Foodportunity is your chance to come meet Jessie in person. She is a featured guest and will be available to meet and answer any questions that you have.
And if you want to be a Cakespy, enter her contest here (free plane ticket included). Yes, she really is amazing!

And before I continue. Foodportunity tickets are still on sale. Tickets sell out for this event so if you intend to go then don’t miss it. It is THE networking event for everyone food-related. Lots of food, chefs and networking for $25. Now go get your tickets. More information at Foodportunity.com . And Metropolitan Market is the main sponsor so that means that there will be lots of goodies.

Now for the contest!
Winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon. Don’t forget to share information about the next Foodportunity event, tickets here.

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving away something that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books, dinners and other fun rewards.

How do you enter?

Bonus Entry: Go into Foodportunity.com and check out the partners and restaurants. Then comment here with the name of the food business that you want to try!

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted) Use Hashtag #foodprt
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send the prize your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

Day 5: Foodportunity Resolutions and Giveaway! $35 Fonte Gift Card

Day 5: Today’s giveaway is a $35 Gift Card to Fonte Cafe and Wine Bar And yesterday’s winner is Amanda S. Please contact me for your prize!

Resolution 5: Start your day with a positive attitude. Waking up isn’t easy but if a cup of Joe is what you need to get you smiling. Then so be it. Start your day with a smile and the world will smile back at you. Make it your goal to radiate your surroundings with positive energy.

Fonte Coffee is the place to get some work done with a smile on your face or just to open the newspaper and read the morning news. If you would rather your coffee at home, just order online. Besides, Fonte loves the community. They just donated $11,000 to Pike Market Child Care, the profits raised from sales of Fonté’s 2011 “Limited Edition Holiday Blend”. This significant donation will underwrite a year’s worth of school supplies for all four classrooms at PMCCP, and assist the organization in reaching its goal of making high quality childcare and preschool programs available to children in need.

And before I continue. Foodportunity tickets are still on sale. Tickets sell out for this event so if you intend to go then don’t miss it. It is THE networking event for everyone food-related. Lots of food, chefs and networking for $25. Now go get your tickets. More information at Foodportunity.com . And Metropolitan Market is the main sponsor so that means that there will be lots of goodies.

Now for the contest!
Winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon. Don’t forget to share information about the next Foodportunity event, tickets here.

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving away something that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books, dinners and other fun rewards.

How do you enter?

Bonus Entry: Go into Foodportunity.com and check out the partners and restaurants. Then comment here with the name of the food businesst that you want to try!

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted) Use Hashtag #foodprt
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send the prize your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

Day 4: Foodportunity Resolutions Challenge and Giveaway, 2 Must Have Books for Food Lovers

Day 4: Today’s giveaway is a set of books that will complement your food library. My book, the Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle ($14.95) and Food Lover’s Guide to Wine by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenberg ($25)

The winner of yesterday’s giveaway is Kate from Kan I have some more? Email me your address.

Resolution 4: Explore new restaurants and learn more about choosing and drinking wine.

Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle is the ultimate guide to the best restaurants, bakeries and specialty shops. This book gives you a backstage pass into the Seattle food scene. It is the perfect gift for any food lover.

Food Lover’s Guide to Wine is an indispensable reference, formatted like the authors’ two previous bestsellers The Flavor Bible and What to Drink with What You Eat, an encyclopedic A-to-Z guide profiling hundreds of different wines by their essential characteristics-from body and intensity to distinguishing flavors, from suggested serving temperatures and ideal food pairings to recommended producers (including many iconic examples). Here you can learn all you need to know about wine.

And before I continue. Foodportunity tickets are still on sale. Tickets sell out for this event so if you intend to go then don’t miss it. It is THE networking event for everyone food-related. Lots of food, chefs and networking for $25. Now go get your tickets. More information at Foodportunity.com . And Metropolitan Market is the main sponsor so that means that there will be lots of goodies.

Now for the contest!
Win both of these books! Winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon. Don’t forget to share information about the next Foodportunity event, tickets here.

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving away something that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books, dinners and other fun rewards.

How do you enter?

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted) Use Hashtag #foodprt
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send the prize your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

Day 3: Foodportunity Resolutions Challenge and Giveaway, $25 Gift Card at Metropolitan Market

Today is the third day of the Foodportunity Resolutions Challenge. The winner from yesterday will be announced later today. Update: The winner of the Gilt gift card is Kristin Nielson Price. Email me your address to claim your prize!

Day 3: Today’s giveaway is a $25 gift certificate to Metropolitan Market.

Resolution 2: Try to cook something that you have never cooked before. Metropolitan Market is the place to get hard to find ingredients. Have you tried pomegrenate molasses? What about preserved lemons? What about trying a vinegar that you haven’t used before? Go ahead, choose an ingredient that is new to you and make something interesting.

And before I continue. Foodportunity tickets are still on sale. Tickets sell out for this event so if you intend to go then don’t miss it. It is THE networking event for everyone food-related. Lots of food, chefs and networking for $25. Now go get your tickets. More information at Foodportunity.com . And Metropolitan Market is the main sponsor so that means that there will be lots of goodies. For more fun food ideas from Metropolitan Market, check out this post.

Now for the contest!
Win a $25 gift card to Metropolitan Market. Winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon. Don’t forget to share information about the next Foodportunity event, tickets here.

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving away something that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books, dinners and other fun rewards.

How do you enter?

Bonus Entry: Go to the Foodportunity website and tell me in the comments here which restaurant you are most looking forward to trying at the event.

Bonus Entry #2: Go to the Metropolitan Market events page and check out the list of events. Comment here and tell me which event or book most appeals to your lifestyle.

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted) Use Hashtag #foodprt
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send the prize your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

Day 2: Foodportunity Resolutions Challenge and Giveaway! Win a $50 Gift Card to Gilt City

Today is the second day of the Foodportunity Resolutions Challenge. The winner of yesterday’s contest will be announced later today. Update: The winner is Aubrey Bach!

Day 2: The second giveaway is a $50 gift card to Gilt City!

Resolution 2: Find time to dine local and support the food scene. If you don’t know Gilt, then this is your chance to find out about exclusive events and parties as well as clothes and everything else for women, men, children and the home. Currently my obsession! This gift card is for Gilt City and here is an exclusive invitation.

And before I continue. Foodportunity tickets are still on sale. Tickets sell out for this event so if you intend to go then don’t miss it. It is THE networking event for everyone food-related. Lots of food, chefs and networking for $25. Now go get your tickets. More information at Foodportunity.com . And Metropolitan Market is the main sponsor so that means that there will be lots of goodies and another Metropolitan Market gift card giveaway coming up in a few days.

Now for this contest!
Win a $50 gift card to Gilt City. Winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon. Don’t forget to share information about the next Foodportunity event, tickets here.

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving away something that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books, dinners and other fun rewards.

photo credit:Jackie Donnely Baisa

How do you enter?

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted) Use Hashtag #foodprt
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send the prize your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

photo credit: Jackie Donnely Baisa

photo by Nate Naismith

Day 1 : Foodportunity Resolutions Challenge and $25 Metropolitan Market Giveaway

Winner Announced: Aubrey Bach< Email me with your address: foodprt8atgmail.com

We are having 7 days of giveways! Check in every day.

Day 1: The first Giveaway! Win a $25 dollar gift card at Metropolitan Market.

Resolution 1: Take Care of your body.

The first giveaway is from Metropolitan Market, our favorite place to shop and the main sponsor of Foodportunity

Starting in January, the Metropolitan Market presents the 2012 Wellness Project. Check the calendar for book signings, bone density screenings, healthy samples and more.

Author Alexandra Hedin shares her knowledge at Foodportunity photo credit: Metropolitan Market

Win $25 gift card to Metropolitan Market. Winner will be chosen tomorrow morning! Don’t forget to share information about the next Foodportunity event, tickets here

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving something away that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books, dinners and other fun rewards.

How do you enter?

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted)
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send the prize your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

Foodportunity 7 day Resolutions and Giveaway

We are announcing a new contest here at Foodportunity. It is all about helping you reach your resolutions with a week full of giveaways. We are here to get you motivated with 7 days of gifts to get you started.

This is the year to be more active at networking. Foodportunity is your first big chance to be in the room with hundreds of foodies. Take advantage of this opportunity. Have your business cards ready. Have your elevator speech ready. Follow up. Push yourself out of your comfort zone.

The contest! We want to know your resolutions and help you get there. Every day for 7 days, we will be giving something away that will spoil you. The catch, baby steps. You need to have one goal each day and keep it. Then, it is your reward. The prizes will be gift cards, books and other fun rewards.

How do you enter?

1) Leave a comment on the daily post for one entry.
2) Tweet the contest out and leave another comment letting us know for an additional entry. (Just say, I tweeted)
3) Facebook it and let us know (3 entries)
4) Tell a friend about the Foodportunity event by emailing the link. The more friends you tell, the more entries. (Email us at Foodprt8atgmail.com letting us know who you told , just a first name and why you think that they would be interested)

The winner will be chosen by random number generator daily. Check the post the day after by 5pm and see if you won. If you won, email us your information and we will send it your way (foodprt8atgmail.com)

When: From January 2nd to January 8th.

The best way to keep up to date with all the contests is to sign up for an email subscription on my blog, you will get a reminder when a new contest is published. Or just check in every day.

Spread the word about the next Foodportunity! Here is how.
Here is more information: http://franticfoodie.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/foodportunity-seattle-february-6-announced/

Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle Launch Party

It’s here. Time to party. The book is coming! I wanted to invite you all to my book launch party. The Shilshole Bay Beach Club’s Apulent Catering will serve food along with local restaurants and companies featured in the book. There will be surprises and more. Tickets are five dollars. All the ticket sales (excluding the Brown Paper Ticket fees) will go to Farestart, a local non-profit that provides a community that transforms lives by empowering homeless and disadvantaged men, women, and families to achieve self-sufficiency through life skills, job training and employment in the food industry. The launch party will be sponsored by Fonté Coffee Roaster and Fonté Café and Wine Bar. For more about them, visit www.fontecoffee.com

When: July 25. 2011
Where: Shilshole Bay Beach Club, 6413 Seaview Avenue Northwest
Seattle, WA 98107-2666
What: Food, networking, raffle prizes and more. Shilshole Bay Beach Club’s Apulent Events and Catering, which is one of Seattle’s premier waterfront venues, will provide bites as well as a wide range of local establishments from restaurants to specialty shops to bakeries including Tom Douglas Restaurants, Olivar, Volunteer Park Café, Blackboard Bistro, The Tuscan Tea Room, The Swinery, Sugar Bakery & Café, Wheatless in Seattle, Fran’s Chocolates, Theo Chocolate and more. A cash bar will be available.

Books will be for sale. A cash bar will be available.
Space is limited…

Get your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets

Join the mailing list

Art Institute of Seattle, Book Signing

One of the questions that I get asked a lot is “Why did you choose to do what you do?” And though I would like to say that it is what I always wanted to do, this is not true. What I do now has evolved from many different experiences, I dipped my toes in many waters before I got to a place that I love.

I know that every experience has had some kind of impact on my career and every thing that I tried was a stepping stone just leading me to where I am now. In some cases, things came back full circle and when it comes to the Art Institute of Seattle, this place has been an important place in my heart and career.

For one, if you intend to write about food it really helps to learn how to cook and taking cooking classes at this school was such an important learning tool for me. They used to have these intensive beginner classes that you could take. If they still offered them, I would take the whole series again.

Another important experience at the Art Institute was when I got to sneak into a reading by author Michael Rulhman when his book, The Elements of Cooking came out. This was back in 2007 when I was trying to figure out what I really wanted to do. I left there motivated and ready to write or cook but wasn’t sure what I wanted next. Here is the post.. Now, I get to come to the Art Institute for my own book signing. This culinary school has been a significant part of my journey and I am thrilled that I get to come back for this reason.
The Art Institute is a hidden gem where you can get three course dinners for $23 dollars. (see listing in the book) or just come to my book signing.

Here is the information.

“Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle” Book Signing (and Dinner) at Portfolio Restaurant.

Portfolio Restaurant at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Seattle invites the public to a book signing and dinner. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Elliott Bay from the fifth-floor restaurant. Choose from several three-course Northwest prix fixe dinners prepared by upper-level culinary students. Perhaps order a bottle of Washington wine from Restaurant Manager/Sommelier Dieter Schafer. And mingle with food lovers.

Note: You may come for the book signing only, and not stay for dinner.

Thursday, August 18, 2011.
Book signing 4:30-7:00 pm.
Seatings for dinner at 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30 pm.
The Art Institute’s Portfolio Restaurant.
2600 Alaskan Way, Seattle WA 98121.
Book $15, cash only.
Dinner $23, cash or credit card.
Reservations for dinner required by phone 206-239-2363.
Info WineDieter@cs.com or http://www.ais.edu .

Chef Wayne Johnson on Iron Chef

IRON CHEF DEBUT FOR ANDALUCA RESTAURANT’S CHEF WAYNE JOHNSON
July 31st at 10pm on the Food Network Channel.

Chef Wayne Johnson of Andaluca Restaurant will be debuting on the Food Network mega hit Iron Chef America this Sunday, July 31st. Chef Johnson will be challenging Iron Chef Michael Symon with ingredients yet to be revealed.

The show will air on the Food Network Channel on Sunday, July 31st at 10:00pm ET/PT as well as August 1st at 1:00am ET/PT and Thursday, August 4th at 11:00 pm ET/PT. Tune in to find out if Seattle’s Johnson can beat the tough Michael Symon.

Chef Wayne flew to New York to take part in this hugely popular show of culinary creativity. “Talk about a thrill,” states Chef Wayne, “This is a dream, to showcase my style and skills for such a large audience. It will be great fun to watch, as I don’t even know the judges’ results.”

Due to contractual obligations, Chef Wayne Johnson can’t disclose specifics (including ingredients) about his episode of Iron Chef America. However, following the airing on July 31st, Chef Wayne Johnson will be rolling out a private Iron Chef dinner, complete with a question and answer period.

Under Chef Wayne’s culinary supervision, Andaluca Restaurant has won numerous awards including Chef, himself, being named one of six ‘Top Chef’s in America’ in Black Enterprise Magazine. At the helm for over 11 years, Chef Wayne has been a solid community leader in the Seattle area, participating continuously with Food as Art, March of Dimes and African American Kidney Awareness. He is currently the vice president of Culinary Wonders USA, a non-profit that cultivates minorities in culinary arts. Andaluca is located at 407 Olive Way, Seattle, WA, 98101 next to the Mayflower Park Hotel. Andaluca provides complimentary valet parking for all guests and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A complete biography of Chef Wayne Johnson is available online at:

Food Lovers’ Guide Book Launch Party and Fundraiser for Farestart

One of the things that people always ask me is why I chose to have a fundraiser for a book launch party. When I was a kid, I had a friend Izzy, she had such a big heart and we did everything together. What I loved about Izzy is that she would go up to the homeless people on the street and buy them lunch, then sit with them and listen to their stories. I always admired her for that, I was too scared to start up conversations with people I didn’t know but I would live vicariously through her conversations. Over 4 years ago, when I started blogging, I had this brilliant idea, it was called “brunch a bunch” or something along those lines. I was going to choose a day and make sure on that day that everyone I knew would buy someone homeless lunch. The only problem was that I didn’t know many people so it ended up being just a few of my friends who actually did it. Fast forward four years later and I know more people and have a book coming out, so Farestart was exactly the non-profit that I wanted to work with. They take disadvantaged individuals and teach them culinary skills. I wanted to make this a fundraiser that nobody had to think twice about. So $5 was a way that everyone could give a bit and together we raised
$1,241.
Now that is a great way to make a difference. The event was sponsored by Fonte. They made it possible to do this and gave out coffee, prizes and more. All the photos are by the fabulous Jackie Donnely Baisa of Baisaphoto.com. The location is the beautiful Shilshole Bay Beach Club in Ballard. Thank you to everyone who participated, all the restaurants, all the companies and thanks to everyone for supporting my book. Thank you to Tiffany Ran for her editing skills. Thanks to Micaela Surdi, Yale Gadin, Meg Landies and Felice Lam for helping me so much on this journey. Special thanks to Fonte Coffee and Shilshole Bay Beach Club.

Did you see this write up in the Puget Sound Business Journal or this one in the Seattle Times?

Everyone was buzzing around the wheel of Fonte. Wouldn’t you want to win a year’s worth of coffee?

And a giant twister game. What kind of party is it without games?

Did you miss this? Come meet me at some of the other signings.

Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen

Do you want to brush up on your cocktail skills? Do you need a drink to impress your friends? Local celebrity chef and master mixologist Kathy Casey has her own show on Small Screen Network. Season two just started with brand new episodes, including drinks like the “Whole Fruit Daiquiri”, “Watermelon Habanero H2O” and “Port of Mischief Punch”.
I am a big fan of hers and have been using her book Sips & Apps to create quick bites and drinks for friends and also love to give it to friends as a gift.

If you have my book, The Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle, you will find an exclusive recipe from Kathy Casey.

Bloggers without Borders and a Pie for Mikey

I am quite a positive person. That is something that I have learned to be. When bad things happen, I tend to look for on the bright side. When bad things happen to people I know, I always think to myself, well you only get things that you can handle. I imagine that maybe up there in the sky, someone is handing out circumstances. Like someone is saying to themselves “I have 20 of these situations, I will give them to the strong people.” Let me just explain, I don’t really do anything religious (haven’t been to a temple in more years than I am an adult) but I do believe that things work out in the end. And I do believe that we learn to deal with whatever comes our way. So when I hear a story about loss or hurt or families torn apart, I try to rationalize it but for a very long time, it hangs over my head like a cloud, I go on with my day but there are moments where I just think about it. And nights, that is when it seems to come back into my heart. This year has been full of tough moments, but as I am a private person, I tend to keep these moments to myself.

Just a little while ago one tweet broke my heart. It was from a food blogger that I have been following for years, Jennifer Perillo from In Jennie’s Kitchen. I have been following Jennie and reading her blog, and we have had a few tweets back and forth, but I don’t know her personally.

The one thing I remember is her writing in a post where she talks about her daughter’s breath, I was a new mother at the time, hormonal and exhausted but one paragraph just rang true in my mind.

The way the Virginia pops up in her crib, all sleepy-eyed and joyfully squeals “Mama” is better than a steaming cup of coffee. The smell of Isabella’s morning breath. Well, call me crazy, but I’ve loved it ever since she was a baby.

To this day, every time my son wakes up, I think of how much I love his morning breath, as weird it sounds, I can’t believe that I created him. It’s strange what you remember from people’s posts but when you find something in common with someone that writes, your heart feels like it belongs.

Just over a week a go, when Jennie tweeted something vague about someone being gone, my heart hurt, but when I heard it was her husband, who had a sudden heart attack, the thoughts have not left me since. She is now left with her two girls to take care of and the love of her life is gone. This is one of those times, when it is hard to see the light, but of course I know that she will move on. All she asked after this tragedy was for people to bake a pie for their loved ones and it seemed like instantly people were warming their kitchens, clasping their loved ones and baking pies for Mikey.

That is all Jennie asked for in her hard times, for you to bake for someone you love.

This week, a non-profit called Bloggers without Borders was started by the amazing Three Many Cooks. They started this organization to help bloggers in need, to bring bloggers together and this week everyone is rallying together to help Jennifer. There are beautiful auction prizes, a place to make donations and everyone can give what they can.

Here is where you can donate if you are able to, follow #afundforjennie for the awesome auction prizes or just check out Jennie’s blog and show your support

This is one of those reminders that life is short, cherish what you have. Take a moment to enjoy the little things in life; love, the people around you, people that care and even morning breath.

Ice Cream Social

photo credit: Cakespy.com

What are you doing Wednesday? Ice Cream lovers take note! This is the event for you.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL HAPPY HOUR
Date: Wednesday, August 31st
Time: 5:30-7:30
Location: The Palace Ballroom, 2100 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

The Palace Ballroom is hosting this ice cream party! On hand will be delicious cold treats from ice cream superstars like:
Bluebird Homemade Ice Creams
Parfait
Full Tilt
D’Ambrosio Gelateria Arigianale
Old School Frozen Custard
Fainting Goat Gelato
Procopio

The cost of admission gets you a sample from every vendor, entertainment and access to a full bar. They will also have a specialty ice cream cocktail available for purchase for those who want a little bit of booze with their chilly treat (for 21 and over folks only of course)!
Tickets are $15 tax included and can be purchased at Tomdouglas.com

Melrose Market, A Taste of Romance

Romance, enchantment and local purveyors unite in Capitol Hill’s Melrose Market. A stroll through this magical indoor market and you will find everything that you need to assemble a perfect dinner at home.

Taylor Shellfish just recently opened its doors in the market. They have live and shucked oysters, Mediterranean mussels, live Dungeness crab and lobster, Qualicum scallops, manila clams, Geoduck, Xinh Dwelley’s oyster stew and more.

This is one-stop browsing and shopping with local ingredients all under one roof. There is cheese from the Calf and the Kid, local meats and charcuterie from Rain Shadow Meats, produce and flowers from Marigold and Mint, wine from Bar Ferd’nand or stop for lunch at Sitka and Spruce where Northwest ingredients and intriguing spices take on a life of their own in a communal atmosphere. If it is just a quick bite you want, grab a generous -sized sandwich made of natural and organic ingredients at Homegrown,.
For directions and a complete list of shops, visit Melrosemarketseattle.com

For more about where to shop and eat and insider tips on the Seattle food scene, pick up a copy of my new book ” The Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle.”

note: Unfortunately Sonic Boom closed so I took them out of this post.

A Visit to The Herbfarm

I believe that there is a time and place for every type of restaurant. Some days all I want is a massive burger and a shake but on other days, I want to be wooed, dazzled and spoiled. A visit to The Herbfarm, just a drive to Woodinville is like going to a private island where everyone knows your name.

A dear friend once told me that she lost her glasses at this restaurant and when she came back they were promptly perched on her plate. There is always someone to assist you, bring you a glass of wine or just lead you to the enchanted garden where you can actually feed the resident pigs. It almost feels like this kind of service doesn’t exist anymore but it does. And the thing about the Herbfarm is that you can get away with being pampered all night without feeling uncomfortable. It is not stuffy, everything seems natural and not having to worry about things like what to order and where to park (they have valet parking) is an experience on its own. I do suggest you make accommodations afterwards because if you are going to have wine with every course, you might as well let yourself go and finish the evening in one of the Herbfarm suites or at the Willows Lodge.

The night of this basil-themed dinner, I was already very pregnant. I had to give the usual ” I don’t eat ….” mantra. Luckily all this was taken care of advance with the confirmation phone call. I had nothing to worry about for every dish, if there was something raw in it, a substitution was handled and I never had to think twice. I wish I could have done the wine pairings with every course but the non-alcoholic pairings were definitely gratifying with infused herbs and so many selections.

The Herbfarm is where you take your lover or your friend that you haven’t seen in months, the course by course banquet is a reminder that you can sit and eat and engage in the art of conversation. The decisions are made for you, each plate a work of art and observing the wait staff is a symphony in itself.

Before you sit down to eat, join the garden tour where you will be educated on all types of herbs (a bonus lesson in botany) and take the time to feed the pigs, alternatively you can do that later during courses, when you are welcomed to step outside for some air and a little bit of nature. They even hand you a little feeding kit (yes, they have thought of everything!)

My long lost love other than food is getting all dolled up and I love wearing dresses but don’t be intimidated, the dress code is dressy casual, meaning don’t dress like a shlump but no need to dazzle it up with diamonds.

When you decide on when you want to go, log into the website to choose your theme. There are ideas like Indian Summer, Mycologist’s Dream, Uber Tuber and many more and these themes will further help you decide on when to go. In these photos are the Basil Banquet. For more about the Herbfarm visit here or follow Herbguy on twitter.

I had to start by sharing one of our desserts because I absolutely love this idea.

Little White Strawberry Hood: White Pineapple Strawberries and Hood Strawberry Gelee with Garden Cucumber-Lime Basil Sorbet.

For more about where to eat in Seattle, pick up a copy of my new book ” The Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle”.

Seattle’s Hidden Treasure : The Art Institute of Seattle’s Portfolio Restaurant

Where do you find an unforgettable view and delicious food at a reasonable price created by the chefs of our future?

Portfolio Restaurant located on the 5th floor of the Art Institute of Seattle is a hidden treasure near the water. Beautiful views of Elliott Bay, white table cloths and fabulous food all come together harmoniously. Lead by Chef David Wynne, culinary students get to practice their trade and diners benefit from a 3 course dinner for $23 plus tax, a la carte is available as well. No tips allowed but donations to the scholarship fund are accepted (though not required). The menu is seasonal and local and Washington wines are available by the glass. If you want to learn the basics of wine tasting, call and ask about the wine tastings lead by Sommelier and Restaurant Manager Dieter Schafer where you can taste 6 wines for $12 on Friday evenings.

To make reservations, call Portfolio restaurant (206) 239 2363, 2600 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121. Note: The best time to come is at least a few days into the quarter when the students have gotten adjusted. Fall Quarter opens October 12 and continues to Friday, December 9.

For more about where to shop and eat as well as insider tips on the Seattle food scene, pick up a copy of my new book ” The Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle.”

Andaluca’s New Changes

I recently received some news about Andaluca, the romantic Spanish restaurant in downtown Seattle.

Andaluca will no longer be serving lunch but will continue to focus on dinner.

Craving lunch? No worries. Oliver’s Lounge and Bar, located in the same building, the Mayflower Park hotel will be serving some of the signature items from Andaluca.

Recent contestant on the food network’s Iron Chef America and executive Chef Wayne Johnson explains “I feel that by adjusting our hours, attention and creativity can be focused on our expanding dinner business.”

For more about Andaluca and Chef Wayne Johnson, click here

Seattle Food Scene Tips and Gilt Giveaway

What is the one question that people ask me when they meet me and learn that I work with food?

“What makes the Seattle food scene different?”

I have to say, it is community. It is a lack of distance between the chefs and the people. The chefs are approachable, friendly and everyone is connected somehow. Chefs take the time to say hi if they can and there is overall support, the customers support the chefs, the chefs support the purveyors, the chefs like to mingle with their customers and first name basis is pretty common in the food world.

I love exploring this city, so here is a giveaway to get you exploring.
But before that, I thought that you would like to catch up on where to go.

Photo credit: Jackie Donnely Baisa

I compiled of list of some recent posts with a glimpse into the Seattle food scene.

A visit to the Herbfarm

Have you been to the Melrose Market?

Looking for new places for lunch? Find them here

Want to learn how to make cocktails? Follow Kathy Casey’s show.

Food Lovers’ Launch party and fundraiser for Farestart

And the ultimate list

Wait! Do you know about Gilt? Do you know about Gilt City Seattle? I have a 50 dollar gift card to giveaway,

When I heard Gilt City was coming this way, I was flabbergasted. I have a love-love relationship with Gilt. I have been a member of the site getting their daily deals for over a year. Every morning at 9 am, or whenever I can, I check their website for the deals. There is just something liberating about seeing beautiful stuff in the morning. They have everything from bedding to clothes to weekend getaways. And Gilt City Seattle recently launched with tasting menus to some of the favorite places, special cocktail evenings, movie passes and more. You need to be a member so check it out.

You can follow them @giltcityseattle on twitter and sign up for their website, here is the friend link for you to sign up. And now for the giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me about your favorite place to eat in town. I am thinking the place that you go when you need a bite, it doesn’t have to be fancy. The place you drive to after a bad day at work or just where you go when you need a snack.

How to enter and win $50 at @GiltCitySeattle
1) Each comment is one entry.
2) Each Facebook share is 4 entries (Make sure to tag the Food Lovers Guide to Seattle page so I know)
3) And each twitter share is an extra entry (@foodloversea or @franticfoodie)

Got it! The winner will be announced on Monday next week.

To order my book or get more information, click here.

The New Food Processor Bible and Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana is one of my favorite Jewish holidays. Literally, translated into the “head of the new year”, it is the Jewish new year. Now if you know me, then you know that my posts are far from kosher I eat everything and anything around but when it comes to tradition it is a different story, I love tradition and culture and love the holidays for this reason. What I really love is an excuse to get family or friends together and a reason to tear up Challah bread with my hands (yes, no knife required) and eat as much as you want. Usually, a trip to Macrina is all this girl needs to make this challah fantasy complete.

In our family, there is one lady we go to for Jewish recipes and she is Norene Gilletz, the fairy godmother of Jewish cooking, she has them all, in the simple most convenient way. Her books have been passed on from my grandma, to my mom and to all of her friends. Her most recent cookbook is the “The New Food Processor Bible”.
As the busy mom that I am, with an almost 3 year old and twins on the way, on weekdays, her recipes have become my gateway to a home-cooked meal. I am obsessed with my food processor, especially on days when I am in a flurry to get everything done, this one magic machine can chop, grate and mince giving me time for other things.

Her revised and updated version of the Food Processor Bible is an enormous collection of recipes, that you can make every day; basic ingredients and easy dinner options that will feed hungry monsters of all kinds. This book is focused on everything from Food Processor-related tips and how to use it to appetizers, desserts , latkes, kugel and other Jewish favorites. Not necessarily a Jewish cookbook but you can’t take the Jewish mom out of any of her books. This book is a must-have for busy cooks and you can get it here on Amazon.

Our family’s favorite recipe has become the tuna patties. My son calls them tuna pancakes and will ask for them every time. We top them with sour cream or truffle honey. Recipe is below.

And before you start making these. I must post her recipe for sweet and sour meatballs because I post it yearly and these are favorites of kids all over the world. And they are fast, freeze well and can be made a couple days in advance. For more about Norene Gilletz, here is a link to her site.

If you are on a hunt for Jewish recipes, you will also want to check out some other favorites of mine. There is Chef Paula Shoyer for Jewish Baking and for Jewish cooking with a twist of Indian cooking, check out Food Wanderings.

Tuna Patties (Recipe Permission/ Whitecap Books)

1 medium onion, cut in chunks
1 carrot, cut in chunks
3 cans (6 oz/170 g each) tuna, drained
4 eggs (or 2 eggs plus 4 egg whites)
½ cup dried bread crumbs or matzo meal
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp oil for frying

Steel blade: Process onion and carrot until minced, about 8 seconds. Add tuna, eggs, bread crumbs or matzo meal, salt and pepper. Process until mixed, about 10 seconds. Shape into patties or 1-inch balls.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet. Brown on medium heat on both sides, until golden. Drain well on paper towels.

117 calories per patty, 4.6 g carbohydrates, 0.4 g fiber, 13 g protein, 4.7 g fat (0.9 g saturated fat), 83 mg cholesterol, 174 mg sodium, 150 mg potassium, 1 mg iron, 24 mg calcium, 107 mg phosphorus

Yield: 6 servings (12 patties). Keeps 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator. Freezes well.

Variation:
Mixture can also be shaped into a loaf and baked at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes or fill muffin tins two-thirds full and bake for 25 minutes, until golden. Makes 10 to 12. May be sliced and used for sandwiches.

The Kitchen Counter Cooking School and a Giveaway

Admitting ones eating habits is not the easiest task, many spend their time eating behind fridges, stocking up on Ramen or just hoarding convenient snacks with zero nutritional value. In this newly released book, The Kitchen Counter Cooking School, local writer Kathleen Flinn creates a project that will examine the eating habits of average women, while providing them with a toolbox of alternatives, teaching them the basics, educating them and teaching them the benefits of a home-cooked meal.

Read along as these women embark on a palate adventure, taking cooking classes to delve into a deeper world of food, learning that simple food can easily be made from scratch and that dollars can be stretched. Watch as these women flourish and nourish while picking up tricks from Seattle’s favorite foodies including Robin Leventhal and Thierry Rautureau.

Each chapter includes basic recipes for things like Blissfully Simple Chicken Stock, DIY Vinaigrette, Creamy Chocolate Frosting, Paella Valenciana and more. Now, even if you are familiar with making these foods, there is something about reading this book that will motivate you to make them again or better yet get you in the kitchen exploring the same night that you are reading. Get the book here or at your local bookstore and check out Kathleen Flinn’s website.

Luckily I have a copy of the book to giveaway. Do you want it? Just leave a comment telling me about the one thing that you like to make it home and refuse to buy. Each tweet tagged #foodloversea will get you an extra entry. Contest ends October 4 and the winner will be chosen randomly by drawing.
Thanks for playing.

Did you get my book? For more about the food scene in Seattle, pick up a copy of my book, “The Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle”.

Tom Douglas Cookbook Social

If you love cookbooks, then you are going to love this event. Tom Douglas is having another one of his cookbook socials. Basically, you shmooze and eat and meet all your favorite authors while stocking up on gifts for your friends. I will be there with my book, the “Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle” and some tasty bites.

Now look at this list of authors!

Kurt Timmermeister
Amy Pennington
Jessie Olsen
Maggie Savarino
Ethan Stowell
Tom Douglas
Becky Selengut
Julie Hearne and Sharon Kramis
Lisa Dupar
Greg Atkinson
Frank Curtis
Brad Parsons
Mark Klebeck
Dave Hughes

TOM DOUGLAS’ 2011 COOKBOOK SOCIAL
Date: Thursday, December 1st
Time: 4-7pm
Location: The Palace Ballroom, 2100 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Cost: $20 tax included
Ticket price includes entrance into the event, tastes from each author, and one drink ticket.
To purchase tickets, click here!
Kick off your holiday cookbook shopping at Tom Douglas’ 2011 Cookbook Social! Back for another year, this popular event brings some of Washington’s BEST cookbook authors together in one room for one evening only.
Come join us on the first of December to purchase some amazing cookbooks direct from the authors themselves and try tasty nibbles from one of the recipes in their book. This is a great opportunity to stock up on gifts for the food lovers in your life OR to build your own cookbook library at home.

Local Holiday Gift Ideas for Seattle Food Lovers

Shopping for food lovers this holiday season just got easier.
Sometimes a bar of chocolate or a new condiment can be an inexpensive way to spice up someone’s day.
A little goes a long way when it comes to food gifts. The great thing about food gifts is that they can be found everywhere and sometimes it’s easiest just to stop by your favorite market, late at night, when the kids are in bed or late after work where busy lines are a sign of the past.

This post is centered around Metropolitan Market, my favorite place to peruse in the evening hours. Metropolitan Market has kitchen products, specialty foods and lots of local snacks that make up the perfect gift basket. Choose your favorite vessel for your gifts and mix and match to come up with a special combination for your loved ones.

You don’t have to choose a basket for your gift set. Choose something that can be reused after, this makes the gift even more special. Here I used a cutlery caddie (18.99) for picnics or parties that comes in vibrant colors like this blue one. All the items in the basket are local except for the quince paste.

1. Theo Chocolate: Rich Dark and Spicy Chili Dark Chocolate
2. Dilletante Chocolate Marbled Espresso Beans
3. Corazon Del Sol Quince Paste: A thick jam made of the Quince fruit, when cooked it has a sweet flavor with a hint floral flavor. It tastes great with cheese
4. Fran’s Chocolates: Smoked Salt Caramels
5. Seattle Chocolates: Whidbey Wildberry Truffle Bar
6. Half Pops: I just discovered this amazing snack. Popcorn kernels that are half popped. The first time that I had them,I thought I might have to pop them. I wasn’t sure what to do with them. Then I absolutely got addicted to them. Just pop in your mouth. Both flavors , Natural Butter, Pure Ocean Sea Salt and Natural Aged White Cheddar are preservative free and have a natural taste without the chalky powders often found on snacks like these.

All products are local.
Bamboo Cutting boards (18.95 for 2 sizes)
1. Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle (yes it is a shameless plug, my book). The ultimate guide to everything food in Seattle.
2. Boat Street Pickled Figs
3. Gourmondo’s Cypress Citrus Dressing: Local catering company Gourmondo makes this fabulous dressing made with all natural ingredients. It tastes great on vegetables salads, pasta salads or on grilled vegetables.
4. La Panzanella crackers
5. Beecher’s Fresh Cheese Curds: Melt these curds on homemade fries and add some gravy to make poutine, drizzle your favorite honey on them or serve to guests alongside some goodies from the olive bar.

Fashionable Food Lovers’ Kit

The ultimate gift for the foodie who lunches at work. This stylish lunch bag (25.95) is insulated and hardly looks like your average lunch box. Fill it with your favorite goodies and you are good to go. It even comes with a set of utensils. Here I added Ricotta Salata, a variation of ricotta that has a mild salty flavor similar to Feta cheese but with a firmer texture.

Mediterranean Gift Set

1. Preserved Lemons from Mustapha’s Fine Foods of Morocco: Chop these up and add them to your favorite salads or couscous.
2. Pomegranate Molasses: Pour this on fresh cheese or use it in your salad dressing as the ultimate sweetener.
3. Mama Lil’s Peppers: These Pickled Hungarian peppers are the perfect addition to pizza and sandwiches or just eat them out of the jar.
4. Metropolitan Market’s pita :Finally, pitas that are light and fluffy. A rarity in this city.
5. Ricotta Salata (see description above)
6. Garlic

What are your favorite local food products?

Here is a list of some upcoming events at Metropolitan Market.

(Press Release from Metropolitan Market)

Holiday wine tasting at Metropolitan Market
Join us for complimentary tastings featuring unique Washington wines and fine imported wines. Wines selected are pre-approved to pair perfectly with your holiday meals! When joining us for a complimentary wine tasting, you must be at least 21 and provide valid identification upon your one time entry to enjoy this event (no exceptions). Come raise a glass to the joyous season!

· 5-7 p.m. on Friday, December 2 at Sand Point

· 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, December 8 at Uptown

· 5-7 p.m. on Friday, December 9 at Admiral

· 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15 at Kirkland

· 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 9 at Proctor

Meet-and-greet special guests
Come meet Sharone Hakman of Haks BBQ Sauce, a finalist on Fox’s MasterChef, and taste his incredible BBQ sauce. Discover your perfect appetizer condiment, stocking stuffer or gift for the griller in your home!

· 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6 at Proctor

· 12-3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7 at Sand Point

· 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7 at Kirkland

· 12-3 p.m. on Thursday, December 8 at Admiral

· 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, December 8 at Uptown

Co-owner Brooke Lucy of Bluebird Grain Farms will be showcasing their grain side dish ideas, such as the delicious whole emmer faro, for your holiday table and gift giving. Bluebird Grain Farms comes from Winthrop, Wash. Come taste local!

· 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 at Queen Anne

· 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 11 at Sand Point

· 3:30 – 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 11 at Kirkland

· 3 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 at Admiral

The Northwest’s lifestyle and entertaining expert, Alexandra Hedin, will be signing her book, Entertaining at Home: Inspiration, Recipes and Crafts for Creations for a Lovely Life. Come get your holiday inspiration from a true professional!

· 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, December 8 at Admiral

· 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, December 10 at Uptown

· 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, December 15 at Sand Point

· 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 at Kirkland

Savor the flavor of the season at one of our sampling events
Discover, taste, and learn how to put together your holiday meal! At tasting events, sample delicious dishes chat with culinary artists for recipes and ideas to make your holidays stress free and fun. Come and be a part of the merry time!

All Locations:
· 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 9

· 12-2 p.m. and 3-6p.m. on Saturday, December 10

· 12-2 p.m. and 3-6p.m. on Sunday, December 11

· 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 16

· 12-2 p.m. and 3-6p.m. on Saturday, December 17

· 12-2 p.m. and 3-6PM on Sunday, December 18

On December 23 and 24, the culinary artists will roll out the red carpet, trading their chef’s jackets for red coats and serving as personal concierges for customers. Red coats can be found on grocery aisles and will help with stress-saver tips, locating those hard to find ingredients on your shopping list, and suggesting the perfect recipes for your dining and party pleasure. For more information and online holiday meal orders, visit www.metropolitan-market.com.

Holiday Extravaganza at Kathy Casey Food Studios

Where are you doing your holiday shopping? Join me for this festive holiday event at Kathy Casey Studios. And don’t miss her famous “Over 21 Real Fruit Cakes” made with Maker’s Mark bourbon-soaked dried fruits, apricots, cranberries, tart cherries, golden raisins and pineapple and toasted pecans and other nuts. I will be signing books so come by!

Here is the info from Kathy Casey Food Studios.

Kathy Casey Food Studios®
Annual Holiday Extravaganza Holiday Open House
Samples to try and gifts to buy!

Saturday December 17th
11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Mark your calendars or leave Santa a note for this year’s Kathy Casey Food Studios Holiday Extravaganza and Open House on Saturday, December 17th, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.
The Food Studios Team will be cooking up lots of favorite bites from Kathy’s book Sips & Apps to nibble, such as Parmesan Poppyseed Puffs and Cha Cha Cashews as well as samples of Dish D’Lish Egg Nog, Liquid Kitchen Honey and all the goodies the team has “put up” and preserved this year.
There’ll be lots to fill your favorite foodie’s stocking from our always-popular “Over 21″ Real Fruit Cakes made with Maker’s Mark (these sell fast so get there early!), pretty packaged little Spiced Apple Cakes, bags of crunchy Fennel-Roasted Walnuts made with fennel from our garden, house-made candies, Jingle Bell “Cheese Balls” spiked with Remy Martin cognac, Gingerbread Stars and Chocolate Peppermint Ho Hos.
And that’s not all! We’ll also have our Dish D’Lish® specialty products: seasoning salts, Cocktailor™ cocktail mixers and limited-edition preserves, including 21-Day Candied Cuties Clementines, Kiwi Pepper Jelly, Raspberry Wine Jelly and Strawberry Lavender Jam as well as our Liquid Kitchen™ Cocktail Shaker Kits and 5130 Honey from our very own hive! We’ll also be offering house-made Hot Buttered Rum Mix and a ton of other tasty treats and fun gifts throughout the day.
Kathy will be signing copies of her books throughout the day along with special guest Keren Brown, signing copies of her newest book Food Lover’s Guide to Seattle.
Come on by and see us:
Kathy Casey Food Studios Holiday Open House

Saturday December 17th 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
5130 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206-784-7840

Speaking of holiday cheer, check out Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen for great holiday sipping inspiration! Learn to make the crowd-pleasing Spiked Iced Tea Punch, the festive Platinum Sparkle, cozy up to Hot Buttered Egg Nog with Rum and bake a Manhattan Bundt Cake!

Catch Kathy on Twitter (@KathyCaseyChef), blogging at Dishing with Kathy Casey or find Sips & Apps on Facebook.

BlogHer Food in Seattle

Did you know that the next BlogHer food conference will be held in Seattle? Mark your calendars for June 8-9 2012.

 

You still have a chance to apply to be a speaker. Do you have a topic that could be interesting? Share your expertise. Come on Seattle represent!

Guidelines for submission are here.  

Foodportunity Seattle, February 6 Announced!

Mark your calendar for the next Foodportunity

What: Foodportunity, Seattle food community’s, sold out premier networking event, with tastes from Tom Douglas Restaurants, Rover’s/ Luc,The Inn at Langley, The Coterie Room, Local 360, Harborside, Il Corvo Pasta, Volunteer Park Café and many more. Featured guests include Kurt Dammeier (Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Pasta & Co.), Kathy Casey (Kathy Casey Food Studios, Liquid Kitchen), Lisa Dupar (Pomegranate Bistro, Lisa Dupar Catering) and Jessie Oleson (Cakespy.com).

Sponsored by: Metropolitan Market.

Cost: $25 early admission, $30 at a later date. Tickets are available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/216467

Where: Tom Douglas’ Palace Ballroom 2100 5th Ave Seattle, WA 98121

When: Monday, February 6, 2012, 6-9 p.m.

Do you have questions? Do you want to showcase your business?
Contact: kerenlovestocookatgmail.com.

photo credit: Jackie Donnely Baisa

Chef Wayne Johnson Takes Over Ray’s Boathouse

This is big news! Chef Wayne Johnson, Seattle’s rockstar chef has been selected as the new Executive Chef at Ray’s Boathouse. 

Chef Wayne arrives at Ray’s from the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle where he served as Executive Chef of the award-winning Andaluca Restaurant and Oliver’s Lounge since 1999. Previously, he served as Executive Chef for the prestigious Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco, and the Marriott Hotels and Resorts in California and Colorado.

 

More about Chef Wayne:

A Kentucky native, Chef Wayne grew up as an “army brat” and traveled extensively, eagerly experiencing all the diverse cultures of the world. But the holidays always brought his family home where they celebrated with fantastic feasts prepared by his mother that became the inspiration for his cooking. He began his culinary adventures in high school working as a dishwasher and prep cook to save money toward buying his first car and continued cooking while studying accounting and business at the University of Northern Colorado.

 

Chef Wayne has earned many accolades in his 30+ years in the food industry, including being selected as a “Rising Star” by StarChefs.com and Iron Chef America Season 9 Challenger. Chef Wayne has been honored to cook for the James Beard House inNew York City on January 14, 2002 and taught a cooking class at the French Culinary Institute. He was also named one of America’s Top Black Chefs by Black Enterprise Magazine.

 

He gives generously of his time and serves on the boards for Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, Culinary Wonders USA (CWUSA), UNCF Pacific NW Leadership Council, and the “Food as Art” for the Central District Forum. He participates in numerous community fundraisers and spends his free time mentoring homeless youth, teaching and training kids on how to eat nutritiously, and preparing holiday meals for area fire fighters.

 

Way to go, Chef!

Amy Pennington Named Host of Check Please

I got this in my inbox and I just had to share. Amy Pennington is hosting a local show. So happy for her. You will love her and this show.

Watch the premiere Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m.

Seattle-based author, gardener and cook Amy Pennington will host the Northwest edition of public television’s popular restaurant review show Check, Please!, debuting March 8 at 7 p.m. on KCTS 9.

Stay in touch with Check, Please! Northwest on Facebook!

A lifelong food lover, Amy Pennington has been immersed in Seattle’s restaurant scene for nearly 15 years. Starting as a host at Tom Douglas’s Palace Kitchen, she went on to produce and guest on KIRO’s weekly In the Kitchen with Tom & Thierry radio show and teach at Seattle Culinary Academy and Bastyr University.

Amy is a regular contributing writer to Edible Seattle, Crosscut, Food52 and SIP Northwest. Her first book, Urban Pantry, was named one of 2010′s Best Cookbooks by Amazon.com. Her most recent book is Apartment Gardening–Plants Projects and Recipes for Growing Food in Your Urban Home. As creator and owner of GoGo Green Garden, she builds and tends edible backyard gardens for city folk who want to grow their own produce and launched a website, urbangardenshare.org, that pairs city gardeners with available garden space.

“Check, Please! takes my favorite things—eating good food, dining out and entertaining people—and wraps them up in one awesome show,” says Amy Pennington. “I’m looking forward to sharing food, laughter and great times with folks around the table. Let’s eat!”

“I’m thrilled to have Amy as host of Check, Please! Northwest” says series creator and executive producer David Manilow. “She’s smart, funny and fun, and she knows Seattle’s restaurant and food scene inside and out. She’ll be fantastic!”

About Check, Please! Northwest
First launched on Chicago public television station WTTW in 2001, Check, Please! is now one of the top-rated locally produced series in five cities including San Francisco and Miami. Check, Please! Northwest on KCTS 9 is a lively, unpredictable showcase for a vibrant Puget Sound and Pacific Northwest food scene. Every week on the show, three people each recommend a favorite restaurant. After anonymously checking out each other’s recommendations, they get back together with host Amy Pennington to discuss, dispute, and celebrate their dining experiences. Want to tell us about your favorite spot? Apply to be a guest on the show.

Support for Check, Please! Northwest comes from Space Needle LLC and KCTS 9 members.