Chebeague Island Inn’s New Chef

Maine a la Carte has reported on a preview dinner at Chebeague Island Inn prepared by their new chef Brandon Hicks.

Hicks moved to Maine from ilili Restaurant in New York City, where he spent the last three years as chef de cuisine. Before that, he worked at several New York restaurants, including a stint as chef de cuisine at Brasserie 8 1/2; maitre fromager at Artisinal Restaurant; and chef de partie at Picholine.

Hicks is also a certified master sommelier, and shared some of his knowledge about wine – as well as a bottle or two from his own cellar – during the course of the evening.

Family Feast

Knack Factory has published a report from Sunday night’s Indonesian Family Feast.

We can genuinely say that the food and the event itself were both spectacular. We were seated at a table with Arlin Smith and Roxanne Dragon of Hugo’s Restaurant, Jessica Sueltenfuss, [Jason] Loring and others—all worthy judges of spectacular food—and we were collectively impressed plate after plate. Not only was the food worthy of celebration, the communal atmosphere that Pisha-Duffly stresses is imperative to this experience was in full effect and everyone was in the best of spirits.

This Week’s Events: Vinland Seder, Michele D’Aprix

Tuesday — the Local Foods Networking Breakfast is taking place at Local Sprouts, and Vinland is holding a Passover Seder.

Thursday — the Bier Cellar is hosting Foundation Brewing for a tasting and to kick-off the store’s retail growler program, The Great Lost Bear will be showcasing beer from Magic Hat.

FridayMichele D’Aprix will be the featured guest at a Rosemont’s Bordeaux wine dinner.

Saturday — there will be a salmon and gin tasting at the Sweetgrass retail space on Fore Street, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory on Anderson Street.

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: Sangillo’s, Marycrest, Beat Bobby Flay, Indonesian Family Feast

Monday — The Portland City Council will be making a final decision on the renewal of Sangillo’s liquor license; they’ll also be considering the first-time applications from Maps Cafe, Bonfire and Arcadia National Bar. The Good Wine for a Good Cause wine tasting event will be raising money for Cancer Community Center.

Tuesday — winemaker Victor Abascal from Vines on the Marycrest will be partnering with Rosemont on a wine tasting event, and American Sommelier is teaching a class that examines how winery production methods impact the final product.

WednesdayBlack Tie is teaching a cooking class.

Thursday — chef Shannon Bard will be competing on the latest episode of Beat Bobby Flay.

Saturday — there will be a wine tasting at Browne Trading, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory on Anderson Street.

Sundaychef Thomas Pisha-Duffly will be holding the next edition of Family Feast at Grace. The family style dinner will be “presenting contemporary versions of several Indonesian classics: steamed dumpling, bakso, seafood curry, beef rendang and more!”

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.

MECA’s Culinary Arts Program

The Bangor Daily News has published an article on MECA’s new Culinary Arts program.

Portland’s growing restaurant and brewery scene has been receiving national acclaim for at least five years. So it seemed only a matter of time before someone stepped forward to launch a culinary arts program in the downtown.

Last week, Maine College of Art announced it would do so.

For more details see this post on PFM.

Chopped Challenge Tickets on Sale

Tickets are now  on sale for this year’s Chopped Challenge event, a benefit to raise money to fight hunger in Maine. This year’s competitors are:

  • Chris Gould  from Central Provisions
  • Jason Williams from The Well at Jordan’s Farm
  • Karl Deuben from Small Axe Truck
  • Shannon Bard  from Zapoteca

Many other local restaurants and vendors will be serving tastes of their food and products at the event. For more information see this listing on Eventbrite.

Chopped Challenge is once again being hosted by Grace and is taking place Sunday May 4 at 5 pm.

This Week’s Events: Food in a Networked World, Chocolate Lover’s Fling, Gasharoo

Wednesday — Professor Myron Beasley and Joe Appel from Rosemont will be leading a a discussion at Space Gallery on the topic of Food In a Networked World.

ThursdayMurray Carpenter, author of Caffeinated: How Our Daily Habit Helps, Hurts, and Hooks Us will be at Longfellow for a book signing, The Great Lost Bear will be showcasing beer from Rogue, GMRI is hosting a tasting event with their culinary partners.

SaturdayFirst Friday Art Walk is taking place.

SaturdayVena’s Fizz House is teaching a bitters class, there will be a wine tasting at LeRoux, Novare Res is holding their annual Gasharoo celebration of beers from Allagash, and the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory on Anderson Street.

SundayChef Steve Corry will be headlining at Flanagan’s Table, the 28th Annual Chocolate Lovers Fling is taking place, and Toast on the Coast, a benefit for the Easter Seals, is happening at the Ocean Gateway Terminal.

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.

Hugo’s Yankee Swap Series

yankeeswap_logoHugo’s has announced a new guest chef dinner series called The Yankee Swap,

We’re thrilled to announce The Yankee Swap Dinner Series, a collaborative dinner series where Chefs Andrew and Mike will swap kitchens and host dinners with some of New England’s most talented young chefs. We can’t wait to show Portland diners what’s going on in other great restaurants in our region, and to bring Hugo’s food to neighboring states.

The first two dinners at Hugo’s are with:

Yankee Swap Dinners include a cocktail reception and multi-course meal for $100 per person. Optional wine pairings are $65.

This Week’s Events: A Place at the Table, PSO Wine Dinner, Vietti Dinner, Allagash Tasting

aplaceatthetableMonday — Space Gallery is screening the movie A Place at the Table which is about hunger in America. The film will be followed by a discussion led by Maine Hunger Initiative.

Wednesdaythe 13th Annual PSO Wine Dinner (sold out) is taking place; this year’s dinner features Greek wines paired with dishes prepared by Emilitsa, Piccolo, Fore Street, Inn by the Sea and the Harraseeket Inn. Black Tie is teaching a cooking class.

ThursdayWine Wise and Vignola are collaborating on a Vietti wine dinner, Eve’s is hosting a South American dinner featuring dishes from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, and the Bier Cellar is holding an Allagash beer tasting.

Saturday — the Winter Farmers Market is taking place at the Urban Farm Fermentory on Anderson Street.

American Sommelier Classes – the Maine chapter of American Sommelier is offering several wine education programs this year: monthly seminars on a wide range of topics, a 6-week foundation series on major grape varietals, and a 10-week series on viticulture.

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.