James Beard Awards

| Posted in Events

The James Beard Awards took place last night in Chicago. Sadly, known of the four Maine nominees were selected for an award, but just being nominated is a significant honor. When I caught up with some of the Maine team at last night’s after party at The Aviary they were happy to have been part of the process and out enjoying the celebration.

Given Maine recent track record with the JBF awards I think we can look forward another robust crop of nominees in 2016. I look forward to returning to Chicago next May to join in all the fun and try out more of the city’s fine restaurants.

Maine Harvest Credit Project

| Posted in General News

The Press Herald includes an article about the Maine Harvest Credit Project which will supply loans to farms and small food producers.

As Maine’s food economy continues to grow, a group of supporters is working to set up a financial institution to provide farmers, artisan cheese-makers and craft brewers with stronger financing roots.

The Maine Harvest Credit Project’s goal is to establish a credit union that the backers believe would fill a gap in available financing, offering farm mortgages in the $100,000 to $500,000 range and equipment loans of $25,000 to $100,000.

Cheryl Lewis Joins C Salt

| Posted in People

Chef Cheryl Lewis has joined the team at C Salt where she’ll be taking the lead as the General Manager of the Cape Elizabeth market.

Lewis has spent the last several years working as executive chef at El Rayo. She was also the original owner of Aurora Provisions and tells me she’s looking forward to once again working at a retail store.

This Week’s Events: Beard Awards Gala, Star Wars Dinner, Vinland Pop-up, Pocket Flanagan

| Posted in Events

2015-02-11_21-36-56Monday — the James Beard Awards Gala is taking place in Chicago. I’m onsite for the event and will report on how our four Maine nominees fare as the winners are announced. Piccolo is holding a Star Wars themed dinner for May the Fourth.

Tuesday — Frank Giglio of Three Lily Farm in Whitefield is the guest chef for a pop-up dinner at Vinland., and Oxbow is releasing Saison Dell’Aragosta brewed with Maine lobsters in collaboration with Del Ducato.

Wednesday — Black Tie is teaching a cooking class and the Monument Square Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Thursday — there will be a beer and cheese tasting at the Public Market House and The Great Lost Bear is showcasing beer from Smuttynose.

Friday — Chef Sam Hayward will be speaking at the TEDxPiscataqua event in Portsmouth.

Saturday — LeRoux is holding a wine tasting,  and the Deering Oaks Farmers’ Market is taking place.

Sunday — the Pocket Brunch crew are the featured chefs at a Flanagan’s Table event, Vignola/Cinque Terre is hosting an Alto Adige wine dinner.

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.

Phoenix Best of Portland Awards

| Posted in General News

phoenix2015The Portland Phoenix released the results this week from their 2015 readership awards poll. The Phoenix received over 20,000 votes for 650 nominees in 133 categories.

The 2015 competition for Best of Portland was fiercely competitive. We know Portlanders are passionate about  their city; 650 nominees duked it out to win their share of more than 20,000 local votes. The average number of votes was 200 to 500 per category, so we can safely say that all the nominees are local favorites with hundreds of fans and that the winners are truly loved by Portlanders.

You can see the full list of results online. There are categories 30+ food categories from Best Food Truck(El Corazon) to Best New Restaurant(Central Provisions).

2015bestofportlandPortland Food Map won both the Best Blog and Best Food Blog categories. Many thanks to all of you who voted for the site!

Press Hotel and Chefs Part Ways

| Posted in Under Construction

The Press Herald reports that chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier are no longer involved in the project to launch M.C. Union, the new restaurant in The Press Hotel which is opening later this month.

For months, The Press Hotel and two of Maine’s best-known chefs have been trumpeting their partnership in a new venture – M.C. Union, the restaurant in the boutique hotel on Congress Street in Portland that’s expected to open in May.

Suddenly, in what a spokeswoman said was a mutual decision between the chefs and the hotel, that union is dissolving.

James Beard award-winning chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier have taken their initials off the restaurant and will not be involved in running it…

Under Construction: Milly’s Skillet

| Posted in Under Construction

Molly Ritzo has leased the Wicked Good Street Kitchen food truck on Peaks Island to launch Milly’s Skillet(website, facebook) next month. Ritzo has made some improvements to the truck and plans to serve a menu of “small breakfast menu and gourmet picnic-style sandwiches”.

Ritzo is blogging about her experience in launching the business on her website millysskillet.com. She plans to hold a grand opening for the truck on May 15th and 16th.

Visit the PFM Under Construction page for the most complete list of food businesses under development.