Cookin' in the 'Cuse

Spanish Wines and Tapas this Saturday--A picture is worth...

...not enough to tell you how amazing this spread is.  No really--you have to taste this food!  We did a trial run yesterday for a piece that will run in Wednesday's Post-Standard food section.  But you can taste all this deliciousness on Saturday from 6-8:30 pm.  Tickets are still available--$30 per person and a discounted rate for students 21 and over.

 

And if these photos aren't enough to entice you--consider the prizes at the silent auction:  There are the usual fun things like gift certificates to area spas, membership to the YMCA, etc.  But how about Steve Kern, director of the Everson museum, cooking tapas for you and five friends?  Or food pro Nancy Radke throwing you a barbeque?  And a basket of baked goods made by yours truly (did I someone say bacon cookies? Yes I did!)

This will be a fun night and the proceeds help Grace Church continue the work of feeding our community through our food pantry, Wednesday night community supper, and a simple cafe we expect to open later this year.  Join us!

Grace Church is located at the corner of Madison Street and University Avenue.  This event will be in the Parish House at 819 Madison Street just off University.

(All photos in this post by Nancy Radke)

Spanish Wines and Tapas--Si Si! March 26 at Grace Church

You trust me, right?  Then mark your calendars--you don't want to miss the 2nd annual wine and cheese event at Grace Episcopal Church in Syracuse--Saturday, March 26 from 6:00- 8:30 pm. 

Gary Decker of Vinomania Wines has once again generously offered to pour wines for your tasting pleasure at this fundraiser to support the ongoing restoration of our historic structures and the many food programs that serve our community. 

With Gary Decker's discerning palate you can be assured of some wonderful and interesting wines.  But the food!  Oh my--check this out:

• Jamon Serrano and Chorizo

• Manchego, Valdeon blue cheese, Mahon and Miti Cana de Oveja served with Marcona Almonds, Membrillo and olives

• Thin slices of chorizo in puff pastry

• Banderilla – skewers of Cornichon pickles, olives, pimento, cocktail onions and baby shrimp

• Chorizo and potato tortilla bites

• Vegetarian tortilla bites

• Pork empanadas with golden raisins and olives

• White bean spread on Belgian endive

• Thick Spanish hot chocolate with mountains of donut holes for dunking.

And that isn't the entire menu!  Some of Syracuse's most talented food professionals will be making the food happen--and I'll be cooking too!

Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased at Vinomania, 313 East Willow Street, Syracuse, or by emailing Kerri Aitken ([email protected]) or Kate Auwaerter ([email protected]).  You can also email me here at the blog and I will get tickets to you. 

I've Signed the Letter--Will You Join Me?

There is amazing momentum gathering for the local foods movement here in Central New York.  This letter, penned by Marty Butts, will help spur us on.  Give it a read and if you want to sign it with me, click on Marty's email address at the bottom of the letter. 

February 28, 2011

An Open Letter To Central New York-

Food is being shipped into Central New York everyday from Mexico and China, while jobs are being shipped out. Despite living in a country obsessed with health and nutrition, for the first time in our nation’s history, children being born today have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Products masquerading as food clog up pantries and plates.



We believe that a healthy and vibrant food system is the key to improving our economy, our environment, our health, and our culture. We believe that everyone deserves access to fresh whole food, including our children when they are in school, and everyone in all of our neighborhoods. We believe that the answers we seek as citizens don’t come from outside of Central New York, but grow right here at home.

We are chefs, advocates, artisans, and entrepreneurs. We are food system professionals and enthusiasts, farmers and gardeners. We come from all corners of the political spectrum and live in every neighborhood in every town and city in our region. We are your friends and neighbors. We grow food, eat food, and share food.

We pledge to collaborate with each other to improve our food system and our community. We pledge to share our experiences, promote each others work, hire each other when we can, and lend a hand when need be. We ask you, Central New York, to pledge to do the same; to improve our community and to become a model for communities everywhere. We control our own destiny, but only if we work together. We will support you. Please support us.



In Collaboration-


Martin H Butts
Local Foods Advocate
Small Potatoes

Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Cookin' in the 'Cuse


To find out how you can sign in support please email Marty Butts at [email protected].