Category Archives: Enticing Events

Do You Dream Of Becoming a Chef, Vintner, Fisherman, Or…?

Bendistillery's vodka infusion. (Photo courtesy of Greg Robeson)

Then, you might just get a boost to help that dream come true.

The Oregon Travel Commission is hosting a contest to give away seven “cuisinternships” (that’s culinary internships to those in the know). Yes, seven winners will be selected to spend one all-expense-paid week shadowing an expert in his or her preferred culinary craft. The internships up for grabs are:

  • Artisan Food Producer: Become a culinary artisan in Southern Oregon with chocolatier Jeff Shepherd of Lillie Belle Farms and cheese maker David Gremmels of Rogue Creamery.
  • Brew Master: Turn hops and grains into craft beer with brew master Jamie Emmerson of Hood River ‘s Full Sail Brewery.
  • Chef: Immerse yourself in Portland ‘s dynamic food scene working alongside Chef Gabe Rucker — one of Portland ‘s culinary provocateurs — learning how to turn out inventive, gourmet meals that delight diners at the award-winning Le Pigeon restaurant.
  • Rancher: Saddle up and herd cattle while learning sustainable ranching on two of Eastern Oregon ‘s Country Natural Beef ranches with the Pickard and Boyer families, who have been in the business for generations.
  • Fisherman: Head out to sea with charter boat skipper Lars Robison of Dockside Charters and learn the fine art of catching the Oregon Coast ‘s prized wild salmon and rockfish.
  • Winemaker: Walk the Willamette Valley vineyards of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars with renowned vintner Lynn Penner-Ash, learning the hands-on techniques involved in vineyard designate wine-making.
  • Distiller: Get an advanced degree in mixology and learn about Oregon ‘s booming craft spirits industry with distiller Jim Bendis of Central Oregon ‘s Bendistillery.

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Kara’s Cupcakes Take To the Road

Kara's Cupcakes go mobile. (Photo courtesy of Kara's)

If you miss the debut this weekend of Kara’s Cupcakes‘ new van as it makes the rounds of the Eat Real Food Fest in Oakland, have no fear. You can still catch the sugar bomb on wheels at other locales in the future.

Yes, the San Francisco-based cupcakery is going the way of Korean taco trucks and salumi bicycles — announcing its Bay Area stops via Twitter.

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New Restaurants, New Wine Happenings, & More

An artsy ice cream dessert from the upcoming Bocanova in Oakland. (Photo courtesy of Bocanova)

Oakland’s Jack London Square has definitely become the hot spot for exciting new restaurants.

The latest one, Bocanova, is expected to open Sept. 1 in a restored 1920s ice-house.

The flavors of Latin America, the Old World, and Northern California will be spotlighted in this Pan-American restaurant by Chef/Co-Owner Rick Hackett. A veteran of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Postrio in San Francisco, Bay Wolf in Oakland, and Oliveto in Oakland, Hackett will be turning out such delectables as Yucatan Seafood Stew ($15), Sea of Cortez Scallops with Brazilian Curry Sauce ($14), a 24-ounce “Ancho” Steak with Chimichurri Bernaise ($32), and whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken with Guajillo & Banana Salsa ($19).

Desserts are by Pastry Chef Paul Conte, formerly of MarketBar in the San Francisco Ferry Building.

Petrale sole picatta at the Lake Chalet. (Photo courtesy of the restaurant)

Another newcomer to Oakland is the recently opened Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill in the historic, century-old Lake Merritt Boat House.

The restaurant is by the same team behind the Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant, and Park Chalet Garden Restaurant, both in San Francisco.

At the Lake Chalet grill, Executive Chef Jarad Gallagher serves up dishes such as English Pea & Ham Hock Soup, Dungeness Crab Cakes with Popcorn Puree, and Vande Rose Farms BBQ Baby Back Ribs.

New to downtown Campbell is the Cyprus Bistro & Cafe, which serves organic Greek, Turkish, and Mediterranean dishes, including house-made baklava. The wine list features a large selection of organic and biodynamic wines.

Also opening its doors in downtown Campbell is Chacho’s Taqueria. The eatery used to be located in San Jose, but closed a few years ago. Now, it’s reopened in Campbell, 266b E. Campbell Ave., serving its signature tacos, burritos, ceviche, and soups.

The new Heirloom Tomat-O Burger. (Photo courtesy of Best-O-Burger)

San Francisco’s Best-O-Burger has added two enticing summer treats to the menu.

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Attention: Sprinkles Cupcakes and Facebook Fans

Sprinkles' key lime cupcake. (Photo courtesy of Sprinkles)

Sprinkles Cupcakes is looking for a few good friends.

Actually, the Southern California-based cupcake bakery phenom is looking for A LOT of best friends forever. It’s hosting a super sweet contest on Facebook. Just join its Facebook fan page, and you will be entered to win round-trip airfare for two to Beverly Hills from anywhere in the continental United States, two nights at the Beverly Wilshire, a $500 gift card for meals and shopping, as well as free cupcakes and free cupcake mixes.

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Fabulous Fish, Tribute to Pork, Julia Child Celebration, and More

Wild Nunavat artic char. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut Development Corporation/Shannon George Photography)

The season is nearing its end for this year’s catch of wild Nunavut artic char. But you can experience this rich, complex tasting fish at a special dinner at Waterbar in San Francisco on Aug. 31.

The fish comes from Nunavut, Canada, near the Artic Circle. As you can imagine, the waters there are as pristine as can be, resulting in fish of incomparable quality.

For generations, the Inuit community there has caught the fish using traditional methods. To support the fishing community there, high-end restaurants across the country have started serving the fish. They include Daniel, Per Se, and Le Berndardin, all in New York.

Waterbar’s three-course dinner is $125 per person. It will feature the fish in spicy spring rolls, hot smoked over cedar, and baked with Pinot Noir gastrique.

To commemorate the late-Julia Child’s birthday on Aug. 20, Kepler’s book store in Menlo Park will host an open house, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..

Champagne and cake will be served. All cookbooks also will be on sale for 20 percent off, and prizes will be raffled off.

To honor Julia’s birthday and the opening of the flick, “Julie & Julia,” the Grand Cafe in San Francisco will serve one of her iconic dishes, Beouf Bourguignon for half off during the month of August.

The special price of $13.50 is available at lunch or dinner. Just show your theater ticket stub to get the discounted price.

If you’re in an especially porky mood, you’ll want to head to Nob Hill Grille in San Francisco, Aug. 25 and Aug. 26, for a “Tribute to Pork.”

The four-course dinner is $40 per person. Wine pairings are an additional $15.

Dishes will include crispy braised pork belly with oyster mushroom risotto; and suckling pig roasted with rosemary, fresh lavender, and pork reduction.

The inaugural San Francisco Street Food Festival is coming up Aug. 22. Folsom Street, between 25th and 26th streets, will be transformed into a cornucopia of street food vendors offering specialties, none of which will be priced higher than $10.

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