Category: Events

Bonjour Fest Report

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Josh Christie from Brews & Books has posted a report on Hop Press about last week’s Bonjour Fest at Novare Res.

When I made it up to the bar a couple days into the fest, there were still plenty of beers to choose from – many I’ve never had a chance to try before. Although people tend to thing of the US as the home for big, ballsy extreme beers, the international flair from the likes of Schloss Eggenberg, Mikkeller, Dubuisson and others meant there were some available beers I haven’t had at, say, extreme beer festivals.

Trader Joe Exploreation and Meatless Meetup

| Posted in General News, Events

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes a report from Meredith Goad, a self-confessed Trader Joe’s virgin, on her exploration of the TJ in Cambridge,

The bottom line: I didn’t have a religious conversion, but I do get why people are so in love with Trader Joe’s. And I think it would find a good niche here in Portland without compromising the existence of Whole Foods or any other local stores. The Wild Oats space seems like a perfect spot for Joe to move in.

and a Natural Foodie article penned by Avery Yale Kamila on the Meatout dinner taking place this Saturday at the Pepperclub.

As of Monday, more than 40 people had RSVP’ed for the all-vegan meal, and organizer Sarah Conroy is committed to finding seats for anyone else who’d like to attend. The dinner is part of the Maine Vegan Meetup dinners that Conroy coordinates each month; however, this particular meal is open to folks who aren’t members of the Meetup, as long as they reserve a spot in advance.

Latte Art Competition & Overland Apiaries

| Posted in Events, People, Profiles

Tuesday’s Portland Daily Sun includes a profile of Master Beekkeeper Erin Forbes and her business Overland Apiaries,

Last year, the honey that Erin collected from hives in six towns amounted to 6,000 pounds. That’s three tons. This year the hundred hives she now has under management are likely to yield 10,000 pounds. Before Scott began dabbling in beekeeping, Erin rarely used honey. A junky plastic bear from Hannaford languished in the depths of her kitchen cabinets. Now it’s white sugar that languishes there.

and an article about the TNT monthly latte art competition which is taking place at Bard Coffee this week on Thursday night.

With Bard, [Bob] Garver and co-owner Jeremy Pelkey are trying to change Portland’s perception of their daily dose of joe, and thinks that fostering a strong community of baristas will do much for the scene as a whole. “Many in this industry think coffee is an art form, a culinary experience as opposed to just ‘filling up’,” said Garver.

“I believe people are catching onto that now,” he added.

James Beard Finalists Announced

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This morning the James Beard Foundation announced the final list of nominees for this year’s awards competition.
It is a disappointing run for Portland this year. While Portland had 3 semifinalists (Sam Hayward from Fore Street for Outstanding Chef, Fore Street for Outstanding Restaurant, and Krista Kern Desjarlais for Best Chef Northeast) none were included in the final list of nominees.
Congratulations to Clark Frasier and Mark Gaier from Arrows in Ogunquit who were nominated in the Best Chef Northeast category.
The award winners will be announced on May 3, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.

This Week’s Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — the James Beard Foundation will announce the finalists for this year’s awards, check back later this morning for all the details; Stephen Lanzalotta is teaching a Piatto per Tutti cooking class.

Wednesday — Black Tie Bistro is teaching a cooking class.

Thursday — Browne Trading and Black Cherry Provisions are both holding wine tastings, The Cheese Iron is teaching a charcuterie class, Kitchen & Cook is teaching a Japanese cooking class, the Sea Glass Restaurant is holding a beer dinner and Bard Coffee is running a latte art competition.

Friday — the 6th Annual Celesoiree is scheduled to take place.

Saturday — the indoor Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place, Scarborough Wine Outlet is holding a wine tasting and SMCC is running their 6th Annual International Food Festival.

Sunday — maple syrup producers across the state will be open for Maine Maple Sunday. Visit the Get Real Get Maine site for all the details.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.

This Week’s Events

| Posted in Events

Monday — Stephen Lanzalotta is teaching a Piatto per Tutti cooking class.

Wednesday — Brian Boru is holding their annual St Patrick’s Day breakfast starting at 6 am.

Thursday — Kitchen & Cork and Leavitt & Sons are both holding wine tastings, the 3rd Annual Whole Hog Dinner is taking place at Vignola, and The Great Lost Bear will be featuring the beers of the Pugsley Signature Series.

Saturday — the indoor Winter Farmers’ Market is taking place and Port Clyde Fresh Catch is dropping off deliveries for their Maine shrimp CSF.

Sunday — five wine distributors are teaming up with Old Port Wine Merchants for a Spanish wine tasting at The Salt Exchange.

For more information on these and other upcoming food happenings in the area, visit the event calendar.

If you are holding a food event this week that’s not listed above, publicize it by adding it as a comment to this post.

Additional Events: Ark of Taste, Culinary Tourism and St Patrick’s Day

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Slow Food Portland co-founder David Buchanan will give a talk at 3 pm on Sunday at the Portland Flower Show on “Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste Biodiversity Committee, which identifies and protects endangered regional foods”.

Tonight’s episode of Maine Watch on MPBN TV will examine the growing impact of the food scene on Maine tourism. The show airs at 8:30 pm.

This week on Maine Watch, Maine has become a big destination for a fast-growing category of traveler – the culinary tourist. How Maine’s foodie scene happened, what it means for the economy at large and where it’s headed. We’ll talk with James Beard, award-winning chef Sam Hayward and food writer Meredith Goad.

I Love Portland Maine has a nice round-up of the St. Patrick’s Day events taking place this weekend and early next week: corned beef and cabbage dinners, parades, early morning breakfast at Brian Boru, etc.

Believe me, once you’ve had rashers and black pudding in the morning, you will never look at a Grand Slam the same way. Throughout the morning, people of all ages gather for this once-a-year Irish celebration. It is truly one spectacle not to be missed. Besides, what other time of the year can you justify a full pint of Guinness with breakfast?