Meals on Wheels Annual culinary extravaganza: Carry on the Preakness party

On the hoofs of Preakness weekend, the party continues at the Grand Lodge Hunt Valley on Monday, May 18 from 5:30 to 9pm with Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland  Annual Culinary Extravaganza.

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland’s first culinary fundraiser was in 1990.  Then known as “Taste the Best of Baltimore,” it consisted of a series of dinners in fine area restaurants, featuring some cooking demonstrations by participating chefs.  Their mission is to enable people to live independently at home through the provision of nutritious meals, personal contact and related services.

The first consolidated fundraiser was in 1993.  In 1995, the event became formally known as the “Culinary Extravaganza.”  The hallmark of the event, which continues to the present time, is the spotlight shone on participating chefs and the exquisite food they generously prepare for those in attendance.  The event has expanded over the years to now include Live and Silent Auctions, wine/food pairings, live music and entertainment. 

The list of participating hospitality purveyors will continue to grow, those participating:

·        Chef Expressions – Chef Jerry Edwards

·         La Scala – Chef Nino Germano

·         Parfections – Chef Kim Rigby

·         Saval Foods – Chef Patty Henley

·         Charm City Cakes – Chef Geof Manthorne

·         Dangerously Delicious Pies

·         Bountiful Experience - Sarah Mogol

·         Innovative Gourmet – Chef Barry Fleischmann

·         Sparrows Point County Club

·         Classic Catering – Chef Therese Harding

·         Flavor Cupcakery – Chef Shelley Stannard

·         Pierpoint Restaurant – Chef Nancy Longo

·         Baldwin’s Station – Chef Dustin Heflin

·         Clementine – Chef Winston Blick

·         Matsuri – Chef Bill Tien

·         La Tavola – Chef Carlo Vignotto

·         Silo.5% Wine Bar

The 2015 Culinary Extravaganza – Hats & Horses

www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/Culinary

Monday, May 18^th 5:30-9pm

Grand Lodge Hunt Valley – 304 International Circle – Hunt Valley

 Tickets start at $150 each – Purchase Tickets

Virginia Wine Country: Perfect for a day trip or long weekend

New grapevines to be planted at Fabbioli Cellars

Did you know that in 1996, Virginia had 46 active wineries and today, there are over 275?  Back in 2009 Travel and Leisure Magazine’s  article “Wine-Lover’s Guide: 5 Regions to Visit Now” chose Virginia, representing the United States.  Loudoun County, an hour and a half drive from Baltimore, has over 45 wineries, making it an ideal day trip from Baltimore.

Our day trip was three wineries, three wine tastings. Don’t worry, we weren’t driving, we had Bruce Schutte of Wine Pro Tours, a wine aficionado or as he calls himself a cork dork, picked us up courtesy of Virginia Wine.  Bruce enlightened us on the drive to Loudoun County of the history of Virginia wine from the settlers to today’s burgeoning winemakers’ numbers, making Virginia one of the top five states producing wine in the United States.

Tarara Tasting Room

Each winery was and is different from the next. On our recent trip, we  tasted wines and toured the terroir.  Each, totally different from the next, each with their own tasting rooms, grounds and offerings. You can make if a family friendly trip, two of the three wineries Corcoran Vineyards and Fabbioli Cellars welcome children and leashed pets, Tarara is definitely geared to adult visitors.

Check out the podcast, full story and slideshow HERE.

Preakness after parties - you're invited

Just because the Preakness is over at old Pimlico doesn’t mean the party is over.  Choose from two after parties, both for good causes and another excuse to justify what you paid for that Fab-U-Lous chapeau.

Choose your party with a purpose:

 

1)      SHADE 2015 -  Baltimore’s annual event to benefit YouthWorks Summer Jobs being presented by Philanthropik and hosted by HeidnSeek Entertainment. Each year, the SHADE event brings movers and shakers from all over the region together, under one roof to celebrate Maryland horse racing and give back to Baltimore's summer jobs program, Youthworks Baltimore  Starts at 8 PM

HOSTED BY - NY Times, Best Selling Author: Wes Moore - LOCATION - TBA on the day before at Philanthropik.org  ATTIRE - Preakness Chic  TICKETS 21+ www.missiontix.com/Philanthropik 
*General ticket $35provides - Entry, Donation, Food, Entertainment & Cash Bar 
*VIP ticket $100 provides all of the above & open bar.

2)      The Winner’s Circle Wind Down – 2^nd Annual After Preakness Party 2015 at Belvedere Square from 7 to 11 PM. Your hosts Scott & Dana Plank and Spike Gjerde.

Enjoy a Maryland Style Cookout with Preakness flair featuring James Beard Best Mid Atlantic Chef Spike Gjerde. Bartenders crafting local spirit cocktails and serving the area’s best beer – Grand Cru wines and cigars along with the jazz sounds of The Natty Beaux. 

Preakness Attire – Hats encouraged  Tickets $75 per person OR $200 per foursome.  All proceeds from ticket sales will go to The National Aquarium’s Sustainable Seafood Program in Baltimore

Purchase tickets on line www.missiontix.com/winnerscirclewindown or in person at Grand Cru Wine Bar or Shoo-Fly Dinner both located at Belvedere Square.

What Pikesville restaurants walked away with honors

April 30^th was the 4^th annual Taste of Pikesville which benefited Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.  Over 320 people attended at the Double Tree by Hilton in Pikesville enjoying tastes from local restaurants, cooking instructors and home meal preparation.  Oysters from Nickel Taphouse, foie gras from North Oaks, coddies from Suburban House Restaurant to chili from Stone’s Cove there was plenty for everyone’s taste. 

 

Below are the judges favorites:

Best Taste – 1^st Place: For the Love of Food, 2^nd: Island Quizine, 3^rd : Ruth’s Chris

Most Creative – 1^st Gourmet Again, 2^nd Simply Elegant, 3^rd Stone’s Cove Kitbar

Best New Vendor – 1^st Bagby Pizza Co., 2^nd El Gran Pollo, 3^rd Mezcal

Best Presentation – 1^st North Oaks, 2^nd Nickel Taphouse, 3^rd Mari Luna

People’s Choice Awards: 1^st Island Quizine, 2^nd: Ruth’s Chris, 3^rd Mari Luna

Restaurants open quietly in downtown Baltimore during curfew week

While all eyes were focused on Baltimore last week in the wake of the Freddie Gray incident, businesses in downtown were stymied with curfew laws. A number of grand opening promotions were delayed or cancelled – these two restaurants opened quietly in downtown.  So let me bring you up-to-date so you can stop by these new dining establishments, grab a bite and welcome them to Baltimore.

Nando’s Peri-Peri, the South African-Portuguese restaurant that is known worldwide for its flame-grilled chicken opened their doors to a 6th location here in the greater Baltimore area next door to the new Hyatt Place hotel at the corner of Fleet and South Central Streets.  The 122-seat location is in Harbor East between Little Italy and the Inner Harbor. @NandosUSA 

Smashburger – 616 S. Broadway is the first of the fast, casual burger chain in Baltimore.  The eight year old Smashburger chain cooks your 100% Certified Angus Beef burger to order. The beef is always fresh, never frozen – smashed and cooked on a 400 degree flat grill searing in the natural juices for as Smashburger says, “a better burger” experience.

You can order from a multitude of tried and tested burger and toppings combos like the Classic Smash, Avocado Club, Buffalo & Blue Cheese, Spicy Jalapeno Baja, Truffle Mushroom Swiss or build your own from a selection of buns, sauces, toppings and cheeses. Smashburger creates a signature burger for each location, i.e. Baltimore’s will be the Chesapeake with local horseradish manufacturer Tulkoff’s Tiger Sauce, cheddar cheese, red onion, lettuce & tomato on an onion bun. If you were to go to a Philadelphia Smashburger you could order the Philly with grilled onions, Cheez Whiz & Gulden’s Spicy Mustard on a pretzel bun.

Smashburger is now open in Fells Point, at 616 S. Broadway between Fleet and Aliceanna Streets in the newly developed Marketplace at Fells Point. Smashburger Baltimore will be open 10am to 10pm daily. For more information, visit www.smashburger.com or follow Smashburger on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Guests are also encouraged to join Smashburger’s Smash Club to receive the latest news, tastiest promotions and exclusive coupons.