Crowdsourcing Campaigns: Tortillería Pachanga & UFF Community Kitchen

A pair of Portland companies are raising funds on the Indiegogo crowdsourcing site:

The Urban Farm Fermentory (facebook) is trying to raise $16,000 to fund the build out of a community kitchen and the construction of a greenhouse along the back side of their building on Anderson Street. The community kitchen will provide commercial kitchen space that’s needed by small food business that don’t yet have their own building. To watch a short video by owner Eli Cayer and contribute visit the UFF page on Indiegogo.

Tortilleria Pachanga (facebook) is a new company still under development that wants to manufacture “fresh, local corn tortillas using organic and heritage varieties of corn grown” in Maine. They have all the equipment needed, and are raising the funds to build our their space and to underwrite the other start-up costs associated with getting the business running. To watch a short video about Tortilleria Pachanga and contribute visit the Pachanga page on Indiegogo.

While not a Portland food business, it’s interesting to see that Samantha Hoyt Lindgren, co-owner of Rabelais, also has a new company called A Gathering of Stitches that raising funds on Indiegogo.

122 Coffee IPA

The Bee Babe has published a review of Bunker’s 122 Coffee IPA,

It arrived fresh from the tap with a slightly muddy light amber color. The aroma, however, was immediately unmistakable. Clear coffee notes arrived first, followed by something else entirely. Not strong hops, but a beery characteristic that offered up some additional spice notes.

and today’s What Ales You column in the Press Herald comments on the coffee beer as well as some additions to the Rising Tide line-up.

The 122 Coffee IPA is good and flavorful, but I have not completely gotten comfortable with the coffee and beer mix. It makes me think I should be having it for breakfast, and there are very few days each year when I want beer with breakfast.

2013 Phoenix Best of Portland Readership Poll

The Portland Phoenix announced the winners of their 2013 Best of Portland readership poll last night.

Here’s a representative sampling that I noted down while watching the presentation: Scratch won Best Bagel (I think that the first time in the history of the event that someone beat out Mr. Bagel), Novare won Best Beer Bar and Gritty’s won Best Brewpub, Emilitsa won Best Ethnic Restaurant, El Rayo won Best Mexican/Latin Restaurant, Rob Evans won Best Chef, Paciarino won Best Italian Restaurant, Allagash won Best Brewery, Grace won for both Best Romantic Dining Spot and Best Decor, etc. There are about 100 categories in all so be sure to check the Phoenix website for the complete list.

Personally I was thrilled to win in the Best Food Blog category. Many thanks to all of you who voted for Portland Food Map!

Ladd’s Maine Restaurant Week

Portland Daily Sun columnist Natalie Ladd has written about her “love/hate relationship” with Maine Restaurant Week.

No matter if they care to or not, most people have heard the down and dirty, sordid details of my love/hate relationship with Maine Restaurant Week. Like all my love/hate relationships, I like to recant the events, the play-by-plays and the lessons learned, and see how I can approach things differently next time.

Wine Wise Profile

Maine Today has published a profile of Wine Wise.

Erica [Archer] leads regular Wine Wise events – including Wine Walks through the Old Port, wine dinners, and First Friday session at The Wine Bar during Portland’s monthly Art Walk. There’s even a Wine Wise cruise in Casco Bay during the fall when the weather’s accommodating (something about being surrounded by ocean makes everything taste even better). Each event has specific theme, be it reds and whites of Bordeaux, perfect wines for summer, sparkling wines, Spanish reds, or great value wines for under $15.