Margarita Mixes, Acrobats and More

This is a guest post by Marisa Ingram.

Cinco de Mayo is almost here. To celebrate I attended a party hosted by Demitri’s to launch their new Margarita Mixes. Hosted at newish (and fun) Capitol Hill event space Fred Wildlife Refuge, this was a lively party made all the more festive by 7 piece Latin band the SuperSones . Acting as the perfect accompaniment to Margaritas, Mexican food was prepared by Executive Chef, Jaime Mendez of Los Agaves Wandering around the party I felt almost like I was at a circus gone crazy! Not only was there a performance by the mind-boggling aerialist Sally Pepper adding another layer of excitement, but there was also a photo booth and 2 miniature donkeys were hanging out upstairs!

About Marisa:
Marisa has been an indispensable part of the Foodportunity team for the last two years.
She has a lifelong passion for home baking and a growing interest in all things fresh, local, organic, and seasonal. Though a native Washingtonian, a love for history took her to Charleston, SC where she obtained her degree in English from the College of Charleston. She works in human resources by day, but would love to give it all up for a life of travel.

Feast Portland is coming this September and a Giveaway!

I have Portland on the brain right now as I am heading there this weekend for the International Food Bloggers Conference. I can’t wait! I will be speaking at the conference on the subject of building community online and offline. I really love IFBC because it is an intimate conference with awesome food and a great opportunity to connect with people.

Portland is the ultimate getaway for me ; only a 3 and a half hour train ride where I get to relax and read or sleep and everything is walkable with creative restaurants everywhere. If you are not going yet, you should try to snag a ticket because this will be a conference that you will want to attend.

Photo credit: Jackie Donnely Baisa

Anytime I hear the name Portland, my eyes light up so imagine how exciting to see information about Feast, the Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting on September 20-23. This is a huge event bringing together famous chefs from all over the world. The line up includes food celebrities, writers and chefs like Mark Bittman from the New York Times, April Bloomfield from the Spotted Pig, Andrew Knowlton of Bon Appetit and many more. The event is about getting these culinary talents together, from PDX to New York City, everybody will be mingling and cooking together. There are private dinners, educational panels, tastings and so much to do. The event is sponsored by Bon Appetit Magazine, This is going to be rocking event and your opportunity to taste from Portland’s best restaurants as well as food from some of the top chefs across America. Get tickets here

Giveaway: You have the chance to win an exclusive tasting package worth $350 for this event. The package includes: Two tickets to the Sandwich Invitational, Two Tickets to the Coffee That Rocks panel with Andrew Knowlton and Two Tickets to the Friday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting. Descriptions below. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. Share my blog and this contest on Facebook and receive 3 entries (comment back to let me know). Share on twitter for an extra entry. (I just added this one to give you more opportunities) The winner will be chosen on Monday September 3. The winner is Jasmine Campbell. Thanks for entering.

Portland Monthly Sandwich Invitational
Presented by Widmer Brothers Brewing
Location: Director Park
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2012
Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Price: $95
Experience the creative spirit of America’s most innovative culinary talent through their chef’d-up interpretations of sandwiches brought to a whole new level at Feast Portland’s kick-off flagship tasting event. From po’ boy to banh mi, savor the best sandwiches you’ve ever tried paired with craft beers made by Portland’s landmark Widmer Brothers Brewery under the stars at Downtown Portland’s chic Director Park. Though the definition of sandwich – and even what counts as bread – is up for creative interpretation, the end result will be pure magic.
The Lineup:
Adam Berger, 24th& Meatballs (PDX)
Ben Bettinger, Imperial (PDX)
Ned and Jodi Elliott, Foreign & Domestic (Austin)
Aaron Franklin, Franklin BBQ (Austin)
Jason French, Ned Ludd (PDX)
Duff Goldman, Charm City Cakes (Baltimore/LA)
Ken Gordon, Kenny & Zukes (PDX)
Tommy Habetz & Nick Wood, Bunk Sandwiches (PDX)
Jenn Louis, Lincoln (PDX)
Molly Moon Neitzel, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream (SEA)
Rodney Muirhead, Podnah’s Pit BBQ (PDX)
Naomi Pomeroy, Beast (PDX)
Sarah Schafer, Irving Street Kitchen (PDX)
Ethan Stowell, Tavolata, How to Cook a Wolf, Anchovies & Olives, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Ballard Pizza Company (SEA)
Cheryl Wakerhouser, Pix Patisserie (PDX)

Coffee That Rocks
Location: Director Park: Drinks Pavilion
Date: Friday, September 21, 2012
Time: 10:00am- 11:00am
Price: $45
Bon Appétit Restaurant and Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton and Portland coffee experts give the lowdown on choosing the right equipment and showcasing fun ways to prepare coffee at home. Learn the pour over, Aeropress, siphon brewing, and a culinary coffee trick or two to make the most of your morning ritual.
Participants:
Andrew Knowlton, Bon Appétit (NYC)

Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting: Friday
Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square
Date: Friday, September 21, 2012
Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Price: $60/day or $100/both days
Portland’s so-called living room transforms into the city’s dining room for two days as dozens of the region’s most celebrated wineries, breweries, vendors and artisans take over the award-winning Pioneer Courthouse Square for Feast Portland’s premiere daytime event. Experience the scene, meet the chefs and winemakers you’ve read about, and enjoy cooking demonstrations from celebrated chefs like Chris Cosentino, April Bloomfield, and Naomi Pomeroy at the KitchenAid Main Demo Stage.
KitchenAid Main Demo Stage Schedule
Chris Cosentino, Incanto, Boccalone (SF)
Friday at 2:30pm-3:30pm
Amanda Freitag,Food Network, Cooking Channel (NYC)
Friday 3:45pm-4:45pm

Correction: The date of the giveaway has been updated.

Chipotle Parties at West Seattle Farmers Market Sunday August 19

I am a huge fan of Chipotle for many reasons. I love that the food is healthy, kid-friendly and most of all nut free. My son has a tree nut allergy and we eat there all the time because we feel safe. Not to mention, they strive at making food with intergrity and I don’t think I have ever seen a dessert on the menu which means less temptation at a weeknight dinner.

On Sunday, August 19, Chipotle will partner with the West Seattle Farmers Market for one of four stops on its West Coast Farmers’ Market Tour.

The event will include:

· Fresh Tomato Salsa demo using products sourced from the farmers’ market

· Info booth featuring buy one-get one-free cards as well as Chipotle Burrito Bucks good for one free burrito

· Live music from singer/songwriter and former professional surfer Timmy Curran

A musician, retired professional surfer and a spokesperson for the Surfrider Foundation. During his successful surfing career, he was one of the best surfers on the World Championship Tour. It wasn’t until he was in his late twenties did he fully realize the gifts of song writing and vocal talent. Today, Timmy has been touring for 5 years, and has released three full-length albums

Last week Chipotle announced that 2012 will mark the second year in a row the company has committed to serving at least 10 million pounds of local produce. In Chipotle’s case, locally-grown means that the produce originates no further than 350 miles from the restaurant in which it is ultimately served.

In 2011, this goal translated to more than 320,000 lbs of Northwest produce – bell peppers, jalapeños, red onions, and oregano – served at Chipotle restaurants in Washington and Oregon. Most notably, Chipotle served up 25,800 lbs of bell peppers from Fewel Farms in Prosser – or 96% of the total bell peppers served at Chipotle locations in the Northwest.

Welcome to Seattle, Where to Eat and More Seattle Food Tips

Welcome to Seattle.

Are you wondering what kind of food you will find here? You will find everything. A lot of people ask me what defines Northwest Cuisine. I am just going to make it short. It is fresh produce. It is fresh seafood. It is fresh everything and all prepared with simple techniques.
You will find lots of restaurants that believe in this philosophy that if you get the best ingredients and just saute or cook them in a simple way, you will get wonderful food. Sometimes you will find Asian influence in the food or you might find a nice piece of fish with a fresh fruit puree on top. We like mixing fruit with our fish and adding a bit of sweetness. You will find names of the purveyors on the menus right next to the items like Beecher’s Cheese or Theo Chocolate. Go ahead and look them up online afterwards. There are a lot of stories to be heard and to be told.

Don’t forget to take a picture on the hill in front of the Public Market sign at Pike Place Market. It is a magical spot. Even the worst photographers can get a decent photo. I took this one many years ago with a really bad camera.

Here is a short list of places to eat

If you want to bring gifts home, here are some you can get. You can find these everywhere.

For more about Seattle, check out my book the Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle

Food Events, Restaurants and More Seattle in the Know

Summer, Summer. People in this city are beaming with happy smiles, new energy and the restaurant scene is running around like a chicken without a head. There is way too much to keep up with but I put together a short list of things you might want to check out.

1. Duke’s Slightly Slanted Happy Hour. All 6 locations are slanting things but I recently got to attend a media event on South Lake Union and let me tell you, this is a great place to sit and have a slanted time (okay I will stop using this word) on the patio while enjoying the warm weather. The menu includes items like Naked Wild Alaska Salmon Slider with Alaska Coho Salmon molasses bread with basil pesto and sliced tomato, Fresh Dungeness Crab Slider , NW Coast Dungeness Crab with fresh avocado and homemade chipotle aioli and Goat Cheese & Pesto Slider with Laura Chenel goat cheese with homemade pesto on a mini flour tortilla. For drinks they have a Bloody Bloody Mary , Housemade infused imported Pinnacle vodka with Demitri’s All-Natural Bloody Mary Seasoning garnished with two jumbo prawns and Katy’s Naughty Lemonade, Smirnoff Raspberry with fresh squeezed Lemonade, Sierra Mist and Cranberry juice.

2. This Thursday!
Macy’s Great American Chef’s Tour, Kick off by Tom Douglas
“Macy’s Great American Chefs Tour” is embarking on a cross-country road trip, pairing the celebrity chefs of Macy’s Culinary Council with live cooking demonstrations, food tastings and a celebration of local culinary talent. MCC chef Tom Douglas kicks off the more than 15-city tour at Macy’s Downtown Seattle on Thursday, May 31. There are some amazing chefs involved and it is only $10.

3. Cafe Flora’s 20th Anniversary.

4. Evo Kitchen Tapas and Cabaret recently opened on East Olive Way. Check the calendar for details.

5. Corks and Canvas event at Pan Pacific Hotel. I am always looking for fun things to do with my girlfriends and though eating is always first on our list it is always refreshing to add another element to the evening. The Pan Pacific Hotel has these Corks & Canvas events where there are blank canvases for you to paint and an instructor or two to guide you while you paint your version of The Space Needle view. It is such an interesting concept paired with cocktails and Chef John Howie’s fabulous food.

Crumble & Flake bakery is the bakery that everyone is talking about lately. Oh and Autumn from Get Your Hotcakes opened a Molten Chocolate Cakery. Trust me that girl knows what she is doing.

And Foodportunity tickets are on sale now at the early bird price.

What did you do on the long weekend? What do you like to do in Seattle?

If you don’t have my book yet, now is a good time to map out your summer eating schedule. The Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle is the guide to the best bakeries, restaurants and specialty shops in Seattle. Send me any questions by email about Seattle food too. I am happy to help.

Cafe Flora Anniversary Party and Ticket Giveaway

photo credit: Michael Natkin

Cafe Flora, the Madison Valley restaurant known for its charming vegetarian fare is celebrating 20 years next weekend. 20 years in restaurant years, now that is a milestone! I have tickets and you can win them.

They are throwing a big bash at the restaurant to celebrate with guests, vendors and past chefs.

The event is Saturday, June 2nd at Cafe Flora in Madison Valley. I It will be a farmer’s market style event with Cafe Flora’s beloved growers and vendors set up throughout the restaurant, atrium and tented courtyard. There will be food from Cafe Flora chefs using local vendor produce, wine and beer, live music, CSA sign ups, and former chefs to mingle with, including their founding chef Jim Watkins. Ticket proceeds will benefit the Bailey-Boushay House, also celebrating 20 years.

Details:

Tickets are available for purchase here
VIP admission 5-6 p.m. $50 – guests receive special anniversary cocktails by Oola Distillery, wine, beer, food, live music, early admission, Cafe Flora gift bag
General admission 6-10 p.m. $30 – guests receive wine, beer, food, live music, Cafe Flora anniversary gift
Located at 2901 East Madison Street http://www.cafeflora.com/

Vendors include:

Airfield Estates
Alexandria Nicole Cellars
Big Al Brewery
Columbia City Bakery
Foraged and Found
Full Circle Farms
Growing Washington
Local Roots
Oola Distillery
Oxbow Farm
Remedy Teas
Rockridge Orchard Cider
Stumptown Coffee
And more!

Giveaway:. And here is how you can win.

1) Leave a comment
2) For every tweet about this post, you get one entry.
3) For every Facebook share 3 entries

Be sure to tag @franticfoodie or @foodportunityse so I can find it.
Winner will be chosen on Monday, May 28 by random number generator.

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Ideas in Seattle

Are you still wondering what to do this Valentine’s day? It’s time to think outside of the box, read my suggestions at Journal Newspapers.

Do you want some more ideas?

1. Dinner at Six Seven located in the Edgewater Hotel. With new restaurants opening up on a weekly basis, it is easy to forget some of the city’s favorites. The view of the water here can’t be beat.
The Valentine’s menu includes romantic oysters, butter poached Maine lobster, black truffle and leek bread pudding with haricot vert, caviar butter sauce and even a dessert that has a bit of everything: bleeding heart pavlova, vanilla whip, Pinot roasted strawberries and layered chocolate marquis, chocolate crumb, bourbon caramel.

2. Take your loved one flying with Ifly, indoor sky diving for all ages.

3. Pick up something special for the foodie, custom- made aprons from Skirt Work Crafts, Chef Cameo Roberts takes vintage tees and turns them into these stylish aprons. They scream “love” without the kitsch.

4. Sweep your special friend away to Salish Lodge for a “Love at the Lodge” package. Think jetted tub for two, chocolate fondue and some alone time.

5. If staying home is in the cards, why not make some homemade pasta with your lover? Fresh pasta doesn’t even need a sauce. Toss it with some garlic, Parmigianno Reggiano and some truffle Cream from La Buona Tavola. This tutorial will teach you how.

6. For an underground restaurant experience, check out this 4 course dinner event.

7. Pike Chocofest. Every year, chocolate, beer and restaurants are combined for a night of fun at this event. It is two days before Valentine’s day so you can celebrate twice.

What are your plans for Valentine’s day?

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.”

Cake VS Pie. Do you want to enter?

photo credit: Ronald Holden

And before I start. If you need pie lessons. Check out. Art of the Pie, a fabulous class.

I got this email and thought that many of you would love the opportunity to bake. Here it is. Enter and let me know how it goes.

Crust or Crumb? A Cake vs. Pie Rematch
Call to Bakers for October 10 Faceoff
Bakers from both sides of the fence will have a chance to put an end to that age old debate in households across America…cake or pie?

Last year pie reigned victorious. But the crown, once again, is up for grabs.

On October 10, bakers will “bring it” with their favorite cake or pie creations. Bakers, both amateurs and professionals alike, will be competing for prizes and the ultimate bragging rights to the best baked goodness in Seattle.

If you bake, bake your favorite cake or pie for a chance to win culinary related prizes.

If photography is your thing, snap photos for an opportunity to be published online at Seattlest.

If you have stories to share about cake or pie, then consider this event your soapbox.

Prizes will be awarded based on overall appearance, taste and texture (crust or crumb) by judges who rock the Seattle cake, pie, culinary and media scene.

To be one of the 20 bakers, RSVP to jenisesilva@yahoo.com by September 30. Please include your name, if you’ll bake cake or pie, phone number and email.

To enter the photography contest RSVP to jenisesilva@yahoo.com by October 14. Please include your name, email and flickr ID. Submit photos to http://www.flickr.com/groups/seattlest/

Cake vs Pie is presented in conjunction with media partner Seattlest.

WHAT: Jenise Silva’s Cake vs. Pie

WHEN: Monday, October 10

WHERE: We’re keeping that under wraps for now.

WHY: To compete for great prizes and settle the age old debate…Cake or Pie?

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.