Summer Sol 2014: The Premiere End of Summer Philanthropic Food+Cocktail Event

This will be my third Summer Sol celebration in support of theMove.  This year I am on the host committee.

theMove is an amazing organization focused on connecting a diverse group of urban children and adults to fresh food sources and exposing them to the labor of love that goes into its production.

Summer Sol 2014
  Saturday, September 13th at the Ed Cooper Community and Garden Center (34 Linwood St, Roxbury – Fort Hill) 
5:00pm – 8:00pm.

Enjoy an evening of catered delicacies and stirring cocktails, inspired by diverse international cuisines, and prepared with the freshest produce from our local partner farms + vendors.

All proceeds support theMOVE's powerful work building a movement to connect people with food, through local farm workdays.

Learn more about theMove's Mission:

 theMOVE spreads the power of food
WATCH our brief intro video @ farmvolunteer.org/video
LIKE us on facebook @ facebook.com/farmvolunteer 

Twitter @farmvolunteer
SUPPORT youth on farms @ rally.org/theMOVE

Purchase tickets here:  http://summersol2014.brownpapertickets.com/

This Year's Sponsors:

  Percival Beer Company 

Fresh Food Generation  

Whole Foods Market Fresh Pond  

Taza Chocolate 

Haley House Bakery Cafe 

Artisan Beverage Cooperative 

Berkshire Mountain Distillers 

Mei Mei Street Kitchen 

Forklift Catering 

 Flour Bakery+Cafe 

Stillman's Farm 

Basil Tree Catering 

Iggy's Bread  

Global Local Gourmet 

 Sophia's Greek Pantry 

and more.

 Here is one of my previous reviews:  Summer Sol 2012

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! Mardi Gras in Boston @ The Hawthorne

We had a blast for only $75 of Fat Tuesday with fresh crawfish, muffaletta, oyster po' boys and ...King (cup)Cakes!  There were also Hurricanes Sazerac, Vieux Carre, and Ramos Gin Fizz cocktails.

Muffaletta

 

The Hot Tamale Brass Band was amazing!  I wanted to second line up Commonwealth!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

2013 Summer Sol Celebration! Join theMove for Its 4th Annual Event Celebrating Fresh International Dishes and Cocktails with Ingredients from Local Farmers & Vendors!

 

Last year was my first Summer Sol event with theMove organization run by a dedicated, passionate leader and friend, Mr. Dave Madan.  

" SUMMER SOL (is) a delicious evening of catered delicacies and stirring cocktails, inspired by diverse international cuisines, and prepared with the freshest produce from our local partner farms & vendors!  It's one of Boston's most beautiful parties of the year, you won't want to miss this!"

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!  
Tickets are just $65, CLICK to get yours!
 

Saturday Sept 14th  |  5-8p  |  Fort Hill  |  Boston
at the home of TV personality Patti Moreno ("The Garden Girl")
learn more at summersol.org  |  check out photos from Summer Sol 2012, many of which are by yours truly. 

 

You can also check out my write-up on last year, click here.

Boston Bites Back: One Night. One City. One Fund. One Hundred Chefs = $1 Million (My Final Foodie Event as a Boston Resident)

"A chef-inspired event to raise over $1 million for The One Fund. Brought to you by Ming Tsai, Ken Oringer, the Boston Red Sox, Governor Patrick, Mayor Menino, and ARAMARK. One night only. Food from up to 100 chefs. May 15, 2013 from 6pm-10pm. At Fenway Park." -www.bostonbitesback.org

NOTE:  Silent auction items will continue to be open for bids until May 31st!

One hundred chefs donated their time and extraordinary talents at Fenway Park to raise $1 million for The One Fund which benefits the victims of the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.  Tickets were reduced to $100 from $200 a few days before the event in an effort to attract more attendees. 

Amazing food, amazing venue, good times!

Below are snapshots of the food-mania philanthropy!

The evening of May 15th was both joyous and somber at the iconic Fenway Park.  Foodies gathered to do what they love best -EAT- though in honor of those that were affected by a terrible tragedy in our city.  There was still joy in the giving back, sharing, reclaiming our "happy" and the fellowship.

Of course Island Creek Oysters graced us with uber fresh oysters and accompaniments.  

Erika enjoying a beautiful bivalve!

 Davio's tender, moist potato gnocchi are always amazing!  Here, they served them with a meaty, saucy, perfectly seasoned bolognese.

The Fireplace's crispy pork belly and asparagus fritters with fresh pea puree and kicking horseradish cream

Gotta love Chef Jim Solomon of The Fireplace in Brookline.  Check out a few other reviews I've written about the establishment an chef's talents! Here and here.

House of Blues- Shrimp, andouille sausage, and creamy grits

Tavern Road's Chef Louie DiBiccari's sausage with shaved fennel and microgreens

Prezza- tender grilled lamb, pickled mushrooms, braised broccoli rabe

One of my favorite kitchen magicians in Boston is Chef Mike Stark of Toro!  Chef Mike grilled lovely, succulent foie gras for Boston Bites Back.  It was amazing!

Image by Bella Bella Gourmet Food (Facebook page)

Grilled foie gras with rhubarb "chutney" and microgreens

Cafeteria Boston served shrimp ceviche and funky sunglasses!

Shrimp ceviche with red and orange peppers, onion, avocado, cilantro, fresh lemon and lime served with tortilla chip

The crispy layers of roasted baby artichoke with kale and topped with shaved Parmesan was a real palate pleaser.

The Seaport Hotel gave us pure seasonal freshness with their Summer Lobster Hash with generous bits of lobster claw and tail, crisp, vibrant veg (peas, corn, onion, and peppers) and tender potato. I was disappointed that we didn't get the quail egg listed on the menu, but with the hefty serving of lobster and other fab ingredients, I soon forgot about it!

Babbo Enoteca- Lonza with pickled ramps and pecorino

Artisan Bistro (Ritz-Carlton) - Chicken slider with pepper jack cheese

Last thing I was able to fit in my belly, but certainly not least, was New England Soup Factory with their amazing personalities and even more amazing soup!

New England Soup Factory Chefs- Marc Galette, Daniel Raste, and Paul Brophy

What a night to raise money for the affected citizens of the Boston Marathon bombings, spend some time at Fenway Park, say "see ya soon" to a number of my favorite chefs in the city, and stuff my face!  Score!

My Last Foodie Event as a "Boston Local": Boston Bites Back: One Night. One City. One Fund

"A chef-inspired event to raise over $1 million for The One Fund. Brought to you by Ming Tsai, Ken Oringer, the Boston Red Sox, Governor Patrick, Mayor Menino, and ARAMARK. One night only. Food from up to 100 chefs. May 15, 2013 from 6pm-10pm. At Fenway Park." -www.bostonbitesback.org

One hundred chefs will donate their time and extraordinary talents at Fenway Park to raise $1 million for The One Fund which benefits the victims of the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.

I am honored and excited to attend such a massive event with ALL of my personal favorite local celebrity chef over the years and MANY I've so looked forward to meeting and who's creations I've anticipated enjoying, before my big move to to the D.C area.  

It's even more significant that this massive event has been organized by Chef Ming Tsai and Chef Ken Oringer to contribute to The One Fund via ticket sells and silent auction items (which will continue to run through May 31st).

Five more days to purchase your tickets: $200 for General Admission; $1000 for VIP.

"General admission provides delicious samples from the Chefs, soft drinks, beer and wine.  You will have access to the Big Concourse and the Budweiser deck. You will also be able to sit in the stands and even step out on the warning track! (Weather permitting.)

In addition to the above, VIP’s will be treated to an enhanced experience in the EMC Club. There will be a full bar including premium wines. Ken & Ming will also be featuring a menu that is reflective of this more exclusive setting." -BBB website

TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR.

MUST BE 21+

DONATIONS THROUGH THE EVENTBRITE SITE ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND.

Check out the website for participating chefs.  The list continues to grow!

2nd Annual What's Your Beef? Fundraiser @ Boston Center for Adult Education

Yet another fantastic event at the Boston Center for Adult Education, a second home for many, including myself!

This year's auction was hosted by Billy Costa!  He's a hoot and thousands of dollars were raised through the live auction and raffles!  Multiple, exclusive culinary prizes were won by participants!

It's an honor to support the BCAE, a place where the people of Boston and surrounding areas are offered a multitude of courses from cooking/baking and cocktails to photography, writing, and fitness classes.  Check out the curriculum, here. 

What's Your Beef?  was one of my favorite philanthropic food events last year (its inaugural) and this year was just a great if not better!  

Proceeds contribute to the BCAE and their tuition voucher program, which offers free classes to their social service agency partners.

The event features several of our most talented and beloved local celebrity chefs from the Greater Boston area.

www.bcae.org

Thirteen chefs prepared amazing small bites (with the pleasant exception of Sweet Cheek's Chef Tiffani Faison - see below)
90+ Cellars wines, Peak Organic Brewing, Sons of Liberty Spirits Co., and Polar Seltzer all provided the libations for the evening.
Northeast Family Farms provided the beef.

One of my favorite bartenders and BCAE cocktail instructors prepared two signature cocktails while Espresso Plus perked us back up with delicious espresso and cappuccinos!

Domingo working his magic, flaming a lemon twist

I welcomed the single espresso by the end of the night!  Perfect!

****************************************************************************************

Chef Tiffani Faison (Sweet Cheeks Q), held nothing back with a beautiful, tender, juicy Montreal-style smoked brisket!  

Brisket sandwich with house made mustard, with a sweet pickle spear and hot pepper.

 

Chef Karen Akunowicz and Chef Gabriel Andre (Myer's + Chang) served one seriously flavorful vegetarian dish that was complex in flavor, textures, and color!

Chefs Karen and Gabriel

Grilled asparagus, with roasted breakfast radishes, pistachio miso vinaigrette, preserved lemon, and soy egg

 

When I asked Chef Michael Scelfo (Russell House Tavern), "Where's The Organ Meat?", he replied, "Well everyone expects that of me."  So true Chef!  Last year's beef heart and tongue and the wonderful things you create throughout the year are all amazing!

Of course he did wonderful things with beef short rib.

Hickory 18 hour smoked native beef short rib with morels and schmaltz, ramp toast, peas, fava beans, radish shoots

Salty Pig's Chef Kevin O'Donnell served another "blow-me-away" dish - beef carpaccio with crispy bone marrow (which I could have eaten on their own all night), and ramp verde! Such a clean and simple dish.

 

Chef Reyelt, Citizen Public House, slicing ribeye

Slow-roasted native rib eye, moist, tender marrow gourgres with chive butter

Both Chef Jason Bond (Bondir) and Chef Wil Gilson (Puritan & Co.) both used foam brilliantly.

Chef Jason prepared a root beer beef chuck float:

Birch beer braised beef with pickled rhubarb and celery, rye berries, spiced foam float

Chef Gil served Balsam smoked sirloin sausage with ramp spaetzle and a frothy hay milk:

This gentlemen REALLY enjoyed Chef Gil's dish

Chef Louie DiBiccari (Tavern Road and Chef Louie Nights) presented delicious "street food tacos" with tender beef shank, chimichurri, and cheese.

Chef Danny Bua (The Painted Burro) spiced it up with flank steak with garlic mojo, poblano rajas and red pepper relish on a crisp tortilla round.

Our sweet tooth cravings were then satiated with the sweets of none other than the talented Dustin Rennells!  

Dustin with his Chocolate & Mint and Vanilla & Basil custard cups

I adore sweet+savory desserts!  The Vanilla & Basil was my absolute favorite - mild and herbaceous - great pair!

Swag Bag!

Schedule your next class at the BCAE today!  It's a great place to learn and play!