Bailey-Boushay House’s Chefs’ Dinner – Jan 17

We are pleased to announce that TASTE Restaurant’s Executive Chef Craig Hetherington and Pastry Chef Lucy Damkoehler will be participating in the 18^th Annual Chef’s Dinner benefiting Seattle’s Bailey-Boushay House. The event will feature a hors d’oeuvres reception and silent wine auction. Following the reception, 300 guests will be treated to an exclusive multi-course dinner prepared by celebrated chefs in the Seattle Area.  The Chef Dinner is a distinctive event that  invites community members to enjoy fine cuisine while celebrating a crucial organization.

 Event Details

When:   Sunday, January 17, 2010

• Reception: 5pm
• Dinner: 7pm

Where: Bell Harbor International Conference Center

• 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66

Tickets: Reception (Dinner): $75

•  Benefactor Tickets (Reception and Dinner): $300
• Distinguished Benefactor (Reception, Dinner, and Exclusive Benefits): $600

 About Bailey-Boushay

Since 1992, Bailey-Boushay House has provided direct services to people living with HIV/AIDS with a goal that “Every person with HIV/AIDS in our community will have equal access to positive outcomes.” By providing skilled nursing to individuals who are most in need of constant care in our Residential Care Programs as well as offering an Adult Day Health (ADH) program, Bailey-Boushay House serves individuals with HIV/AIDS who critically need supportive services to regain functional independence.

For more information on Bailey-Boushay House, click here or visit them on Facebook.

TASTE is thrilled to be a part of this amazing event benefitting such a wonderful cause.

Good luck Craig and Lucy!

Mark Rediske Artist Reception – Dec. 16

TASTE Restaurant teams  up with the SAM Gallery to present Mark Rediske’s “Solstice” for the newest Quarterly Artist Series from December 16-March March 14, 2009. Join us for the Artist Reception on December 16^th at TASTE Restaurant.  For reservations, please call: 206.903.5291 or email tasterestaurant@tastesam.com

Mark Rediske has been working exclusively with encaustics, intrigued by the versatile and malleable properties of this ancient wax-based medium. Rediske, an “extreme gardener,” is inspired by the natural images he encounters in this pursuit.

Rediske says, “The passage of time is reflected in the botanicle images which reappear in my work. As my garden matures I discover more and more solace in the transient beauty of that nurtured domain. I am inspired by the mysticism and renewal found in that ever-evolving space so affected by the changing seasons and passing years.”

Of his creative process, Rediske says, “I draw my inspiration in part from the timeless belief that nature has both a physical presence and a spiritual identity. Ideally, I see my paintings as a bridge between the natural world and archetypal symbols of rebirth and evolution. In this regard I feel a great affinity with the iconography of ancient civilizations.”

It is this “bridge” that inspired TASTE bartender Duncan Chase to create the specialty cocktail for this series.

Rediske’s Bridge

“Ideally, I see my paintings as a bridge between the natural world and archetypal symbols of rebirth and evolution.”

 Makes 1 Cocktail  

1 1/2 ounce Bacardi Rum

3 leaves fresh basil

3/4 ounce mango puree

3/4 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice

1/4 ounce simple syrup

1/8 tsp cracked black pepper

 In mixing glass half full of ice, combine Bacardi Rum, basil and ¾ of the cracked black pepper.

Muddle thoroughly.

Add additional ice, and then add lime juice, simple syrup and mango puree. Shake and strain into a glass.

Garnish by sprinkling remainder of cracked black pepper on top of the cocktail

TASTE responsibly, enjoy!

Chef Craig to Participate in Chowder Smackdown – Nov 15

The participants were just announced for Ethan Stowell’s Chowder Smackdown and TASTE’s very own Chef Craig is set to compete.  Mr. Stowell has rounded up a savvy group of chowder enthusiasts and each cook will be asked to create their own delicious chowder, which will be tested and judged at Union.  With the combination of beer and scorecards, guests will taste and rate each bowl of chowder. Who’s going to win those bragging rights? You’re going to have to come down to see!

The fun begins at 6pm on Sunday, November 15^th at Union. For $50, you can have all the chowder you can eat, green salad, bread and tap beer. The best part is all proceeds from the evening will benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Nobody puts Chef Craig in the corner!

Where: Union,  1400 1^st Ave, Seattle

When: Sunday, November 15^th, 6pm

Cost: $50

For Reservations: (206) 838-8000.

Introducing: The Arnold Pernod Cocktail

TASTE’s own award winning bartender, Duncan Chase, has partnered up with Pernod Absinth to create the signature drink at SAM’s Remix on November 6^th.  “The Arnold Pernod” is a twist  on a familiar beverage, still light and refreshing with a complex flavor. Founded in 1805, Pernod is the Creator of Absinthe, and has been a patron of the arts for over 200 years.  See you at the Remix!

Arnold Pernod Cocktail

3/4 oz . Pernod Absinthe

2 oz  Iced Tea

1 oz Simple Syrup

Lemonade fill

Ice cubes

Build in Collins glass over ice

 

 For a full Remix lineup, visit www.seattleartmuseum.org

SAM Remix – Nov. 6

Performance, Music , Art, and Energy

Friday, November 6^th, 8pm-Mindnight

Ages 18+

Experience SAM Downtown bursting at the seams with art, performances, talks, and dancing, while sampling late night savory  bites  from TASTE Events and delicious hotdogs from Dante’s Inferno Dogs. Ages 21+ can enjoy specialty cocktails created by award winning bartender Duncan Chase using a unique new elixir Pernod Absinthe.  First 100 guests get in free!

SAM Members $5

Students $8

General Public $10

Tickets available at any SAM location or by calling 206.654.3121

Visit www. seattleartmuseum.org for a full lineup.

 SAM Downtown- located on the corner of First Ave. and Union St.

Urban Picnic to Support Quillasascut Farm School

Urban Picnic

TASTE Restaurant manager, Michelle Clair, our sous chef, Zack Chamberlain, and our talented pastry chef, Lucy Damkoehler, have just returned from their week at the Quillisascut Farm School and they are already looking forward to next year. To help raise scholarship funds for the school, TASTE is participating in the upcoming Seattle Chef’s Collaborative “Urban Picnic.”

Presented in partnership with Slow Food, Seattle CityClub and Caffe Vita, the Urban Picnic will feature culinary delights from local chefs and restaurants, including our very own Craig Hetherington and recent farm school grad Lucy Damkoehler. Each chef will create picnic fare that is not only Northwest-inspired but also from the Renewing Americas Food Traditions (RAFT) endangered food lists with the motto “eat it to save it!”  Add in live music and entertainment and you have an afternoon you can’t miss!

WHAT  |  Chef’s Collaborative Urban Picnic

WHEN  |  September 20, 2009, 1pm

WHERE  |  Rainier Square Atrium, 1333 5^th Ave, Seattle WA 98101

COST  |  $89 for Chef’s Collaborative and Slow Food Members, $99 for non members at Brown Paper Tickets.  Kids under 10 get in free!

Skagit River Ranch Farm Day

Chef Craig Hetherington

It was a gorgeous Sunday on Aug. 30 for the Skagit River Ranch Farm Day. George and Eiko Vojkovich are some of our favorite farmers. We get beef and pork products from Skagit, including the hot Italian sausage which is so popular. Our chef Craig Hetherington attended the event to represent TASTE on a sustainability panel as well as to compete in a friendly burger cook-off.

Craig threw down with a mini burger that had pureed caramelized Walla Walla sweet onions mixed into it. The burgers then were topped with a cumin Gouda cheese from Samish Bay and Pleasant Valley relish. Craig was grilling against chef Greg Atkinson, cookbook author, and chef Maria Hines, of Tilth.

Craig's mini burgers

The judges were Nancy Leson, of the Seattle Times; Jill Lightner, of Edible Seattle magazine; “Oyster Bill” Whitbeck, of Taylor Shellfish; and Carol Havens, of Slow Food Skagit. The winner was Maria Hines, whose secret ingredient in her beef burger was duck fat — and a can of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) beer to pair with the burger. We congratulate her.

Still, it was a great time. Anything we can do to support our local farmers, we’re happy to do.

Skagit River Ranch Farm Day

On August 30th, the very popular Skagit River Ranch will be hosting “Farm Day” at its Sedro Woolley farm. In addition to a farm tour with owners George and Eiko Vojkovich, there will be live music, free burgers for all and a burger cook-off among guest chefs Greg Atkinson, cookbook author; our very own Craig Hetherington, and James Beard Award-winner Maria Hines, of Tilth. The chefs also will offer their perspectives on sustainability during a panel discussion. We hope to see you there!

Here’s the schedule for the event:

Skagit River Ranch Farm Day

• Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009
• $30 per person, includes grilled burgers or sausages; children 12 and under are free.
• There will be a petting zoo, treasure hunt and other activities for children.
• Buy $2 raffle tickets for the chance to win a beef and pork family packs.
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • 11 a.m. – Walking tour of farm with George Vojkovich.
  • 1 p.m. – Sustainability panel, featuring George and Eiko Vojkovich and guest chefs.
  • 2 p.m. – The Perfect Burger Cook-off among chefs Maria Hines, Craig Hetherington and Greg Atkinson. The public will be able to buy $1 raffle tickets to try to win one of the chef-made burgers.
  • 2:45 p.m. – Judging by guest judges. The burger raffle winners will be announced.
  • 3:15 p.m. – Winner of cook-off will be announced.
  • 4 p.m. – Winner of beef and pork family packs raffle will be announced. (You must be present to win.)
• Buy tickets starting June 10 at www.skagitriverranch.com or at the Skagit River Ranch stand at area farmers markets.
• Address: 28778 Utopia Rd., Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

Last year we had the opportunity to visit Skagit River Ranch and take a tour with George and Eiko. Here are some photos from our favorite photographer Clare Barboza.

 

Mother’s Day Special

Treat mom to a relaxing day at SAM. Enjoy a day in the galleries along with a special, three-course lunch at TASTE Restaurant and a free gift from SAM Shop with either of the two available packages. Tickets for both packages are available at the SAM admissions desk from May 3-10, for use on Sunday, May 10 only.

Life, Liberty and … Payback – $35 *
· Free admission for one on Mother’s Day
· Special three-course lunch at TASTE Restaurant
(see menu, below)
· Gift from SAM SHOP

Life, Liberty and … Even More – $100 *
· Free admission for one on Mother’s Day
· Special three-course lunch (see menu, below)
· Gift from SAM SHOP
· Family Membership for the rest of the year
· SAM Selected Works catalogue

* Seating for lunch is available on first-come, first-served basis. To reserve restaurant seating, contact Taste at 206.903.5291. Package price is for one visitor. Additional admissions tickets and meals for kids and other family members are regularly priced. Please remember that kids 12 and under always
receive free admission to SAM.

In addition to these special packages, SAM is offering free admission to SAM for ALL moms on Mother’s Day and a 20% discount on gift memberships, including a free copy of the SAM Selected Works catalog. Gift membership discount is applicable for Individual through Patron levels and for new memberships only. A full list of membership benefits can be found at seattleartmuseum.org.

MENU
Celebrate Mom at TASTE Restaurant  3 courses for $25

1st course
soup shot & chopped salad
l   puree of washington asparagus
|   organic greens, salumi, aged provolone, pickled hot peppers, dijon garlic vinaigrette

2nd course (choice of)
farm egg frittata   l   grilled mushrooms, samish bay cheeses, fresh spring herbs, local greens
cape cleare salmon   l   rutabaga gratin, watercress, grilled green garlic sauce

3rd course (choice of)
jones creek apple tart   l   peanut butter ice cream, spicy pickled apple, port jam
theo chocolate orbit cake   l   sweet curry ice cream, lime yogurt

Kilt-tastic!

TASTE raised more than $2100 for Northwest Harvest on The Glenlivet’s National “Wear a Kilt to Work Day” on April 2. Twenty-one members of the TASTE team volunteered to wear a kilt and The Glenlivet donated $100 on behalf of each person to Northwest Harvest. Also, $1 of each Glenlivet drink went toward the cause.