Here's how the Kitchen Crawl works. Guests purchase a $85 ticket and proceed to 4 different Westport houses, where chefs from The Spread, Mecha Noodle Bar, Match Burger Lobster, and Jesup Hall will be cooking just for you. Cooking demos and specially prepared bites will be enjoyed alongside wine and beer provided and paired by Stew's Wines... all in spectacular designer kitchens. This year, the chefs are bringing their mixologists so get ready for some killer cocktails.
All proceeds benefit Food Rescue US. Using technology, Food Rescue US empowers communities to reduce hunger and food waste through direct-transfer food rescue. Our vision is a hunger free and food waste free America.
For more than three decades, and under the leadership of Roe Chlala and Bill Kaliff,Festivities has been an integral part of the community, catering milestone celebrations from birthdays and weddings, to corporate events and galas. This award-winning catering and event design company has launched their newest venture through their foundation. Located on the Festivities Campus, “Pass on the Love” is a retail store offering a curated collection of gently used, quality, design, décor and tabletop items that have been donated and are available for purchase for your next event or for your personal use. “Buy it in love, pass it on in love” is the store motto. Proceeds from all sales are to be donated to agencies that provide services supporting safe and healthy homes. The first two recipient agencies are The Center for Family Justice and the Domestic Violence Program at the Greenwich YWCA.
Visit Fletcher Cameron Kitchens in New Haven for a mixology and tapas event featuring Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar on May 16. Learn the basic history of tapas and about great cocktails to pair with them. Signed copies of The Barcelona Cookbook: A Celebration of Food, Wine and Life will be on sale as well.
Yoga and beer collide at Still Hill Brewery on May 16. The Rocky-Hill based brewery invites you to a one hour yoga session… complete with a pint of your choosing!
Olea in New Haven presents a Vivanco Wines wine dinner on May 17. Chef Manuel Romero has developed an inspired menu to complement the Spanish vino. Call 203.780.8925 to reserve.
Doing Good While Eating Well at the 21st Annual Food & Wine Celebration benefitting the Stamford Museum & Nature Center
With so many world-class chefs in Fairfield County, even the most-dedicated gastronome would find it impossible to sample the ever-changing culinary bounty in our midst. And while many an oenophile would be up to the challenge, pairing this delectable fare with the perfect wine would be equally challenging.
Fortunately, the 21st annual Food & Wine Celebration at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center presents the opportunity to do just that – sample a dizzying array of the most-distinctive local cuisine accompanied by spectacularly-curated wines – while benefitting one of Stamford’s most-beloved local institutions.
Starting November 15th, diners can help feed the hungry while eating at their favorite local restaurants. CTbites is pleased to have joined forces with Food Rescue US to launch Hunger Bites, a program allowing restaurants and diners to join together in the fight against hunger. If you see the Hunger Bites logo at your local restaurant, please consider donating $1 on your guest check, By giving just $1 today on your bill you'll provide 20 fresh, nutritious meals to people in need in your community.
Ellie Krieger, public television host of Ellie's Real Good Food, has been producing her award-winning television show out of Clarke, New England's Official Sub-Zero & Wolf Showroom and Test Kitchen in South Norwalk, for the past two years. Now she's returning for an exclusive event - open to the public - to help support Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
When The Port opened its doors in Westport recently, crafting a dining experience for all ages was part of the goal. “I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant, a neighborhood spot where locals can enjoy food that is approachable and comfortable,” said owner Sal Augeri. Connecticut is home to an array of esteemed restaurants, but sometimes it’s hard to find a place where kids will also feel at home amid all the gourmet eateries. Fortunately, there are a number of places where adults and children alike can enjoy a delicious meal out. These restaurants offer kid-friendly dishes, atmospheres, and even specials. Did we miss one of your favorite kid-friendly spots? Let us know below.
“What’s the secret ingredient?”, you ask. Well, it’s…Air.
The winter-that-wasn’t (save for one last see-I-told-you-so storm) is now officially behind us and folks everywhere are throwing open the windows and enjoying the sight of lush green grass and a continual parade of Spring flowers. Out come the patio chairs! Behold the grill! Phew, we have missed you. Let’s all enjoy this week of Connecticut Spring before it leaps to 90 degrees, shall we?
In the event that you have neither of these aforementioned outdoor items, you can hightail it to any one of these delightful establishments to dine alfresco. Doesn’t a little fresh air always put a pep in your step? And, in this case, a little sunshine on your biscuits. Head outdoors to dine and enjoy!
If we missed an outdoor venue that you frequent, please share your find below.
After nine years, EMBODY FITNESS GOURMET has a new location in Darien, at the Palmer’s Market Shopping Center (380 Heights Road). This is one of three Embody grab-n-go healthy organic locations; the others residing in New Canaan and Westport.
Embody is our go-to spot for protein shakes, juices, and salads. In Darien, they have also started serving Intelligentsia coffee--one of the top coffee roasters in the country. Embody's menu embraces all forms of lean proteins and nutrient dense vegetables and fruits in their menu creations, many of which pair well together allowing customers to mix and match items for an entire day's worth of nutrition. My personal favorite...The Almond Buzz, a perfect combination of almond butter, almond milk, bananas, cacao and protein powder.
Whether you're a foodie or into food rescue, Food For All, the hottest strolling culinary event in Fairfield County, is the place to be on April 26th. Help Food Rescue US end local hunger while enjoying tasting plates and specialty cocktails from the region's top restaurants. Trust us - you don't want to miss this buzz-worthy, drool-inducing, "take a picture of this food!" night to benefit Food Rescue US. With every $1 donated = 20 rescued meals, as a guest at Food For All you know you're making a significant difference to hungry families!
Restaurant sneak peek: Fortina, Fleishers Craft Kitchen, INDIA, Mecha Noodle Bar, Room 112. Visit event page for a full lineup of restaurants and details.
Darien native and chef Peter Crawford is the culinary braun behind lower Fairfield County's newest destination butchery, The Darien Butcher Shop. The shop focuses on high quality meat and gourmet specialty products, as well as events and catering, not to mention hot pressed sandwiches if you're looking for a new lunch option.
We had a chance to chat with Peter, and wanted to know what this carnivore cooks for himself, his preferred cut of meat, and his most memorable meal.
What if I told you that you could feast on Hudson Valley Foie Gras Torchon, nurse a glass of Fess Parker Ashley’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, get cooking tips from Chef Mary Ann Esposito, and dance the night away with celebrity chefs- all while raising over $70,000 to help veterans and military families? That by indulging in a bite of Truffled Tenderloin Beef Tartare you could help a young girl receive a much-needed bone transplant?
Savor, now in its second year, makes all of that possible. Dishes from Connecticut’s best restaurants, wines, spirits, beer, and merchandise are all available under one roof. Proceeds from the celebration go toward the Robert Irvine Foundation.
CTBites was invited to both sessions of the walk-around Grand Tasting as well as the Savor In Style Charity Gala. Here all of the delicious details.
Giving Tuesday has become a global day dedicated to giving back. This year it takes place on Tuesday, December 1, neatly positioned after our national day of thanks and a weekend of retail mayhem.
If you’re planning on giving this holiday season around #GivingTuesday, why not consider supporting Connecticut-based charities that benefit the hungry? These charities are near and dear to our hearts at CTbites because while we celebrate food, we also understand that for too many, food insecurity is a major issue. And in our country, and certainly in Connecticut, that doesn’t feel right.
If you’re planning on giving back this holiday season, and especially on Tuesday, December 1, here are a few hunger-related charities making an impact across the state. We know there are many terrific agencies and non profits not listed below, please share additional organizations that we should highlight by adding them in the comments section:
Open Door Shelter of Norwalk is hosting a fundraiser event on November 18 from 6 to 9 pm to celebrate the recent appearance of their kitchen manager, Victor Squire, on the Food Network show Chopped.
The event will be held at Aitoro in Norwalk, and will feature a competitive cook off between Norwalk Community College culinary student chefs. Wine and appetizers will be served, and Chef Victor Squire, the Chopped competitor will be on hand throughout the event to meet guests. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online. All proceeds from the event will benefit the mission and services of the Open Door Shelter in Norwalk.
Artspace in New Haven is launching City-Wide Open Studios (CWOS) Kitchens this November to celebrate the intersection of the visual and culinary arts. The CWOS theme this year is "Dwelling," and with kitchens is the core of this theme, Artspace is organizing three special evenings of culinary experiences in their gallery surrounded by 360 small works of art during the CWOS October and November festivities.
Tired of cooking? Looking for something less expensive than take-out from a restaurant? Then a new venture on Vitti Street in New Canaan, GOOD2GOURMET, may be an alternative. The brainchild of local resident and mother of four, Lisa Strupp, GOOD2GOURMET offers a variety of soups, salads, and entrées for families to enjoy. Teaming with business partner Kevin Schmudde, the two enlisted the culinary skills of Executive Chef Eric Ulbrich to create a menu that includes soups, salads, pastas, and entrées. Customers go to the website (they do not take telephone orders), place their order, choose a 1-hour delivery window (curbside pick-up at the store is also available) and the food will be on the front stoop as requested. Alternatively, customers can visit and purchase a selection of items at the store.
Lithos Restaurant opened in April serving an array of Greek specialties from a house made hummus to individually prepared crocks of Moussaka to a full selection of dinner entrées including fish, meats and chicken. Located at the eastern edge of Darien in the building that formerly housed Anthony's coal fired pizza, Lithos redecorated the interior to a lighter feel with blues, taupes and fixtures to inspire a Mediterrean softness. There is a long bar in the rear of the dining area, tables, booths and a large dining table that seats 10-12 to the right of the space that can be secluded by a sliding curtain. This month the restaurant commenced lunch service with a fixed price ($16 on my visit) 3-course special that includes an appetizer sampler, a choice of entrées and a dessert of yogurt, honey and fruit.
Chefs Bernard Bouissou (Bernard’s), Silvia Bianco (formerly of Biscotti) and Prasad Chirnomula ( Thali)
Battle of the Chefs returns to Founders Hall on Sunday, May 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. and CTbites has a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader. The culinary showdown event will feature Chefs Silvia Bianco, formerly of Biscotti, Bernard Bouissou of Bernard’s, and Prasad Chirnomula of Thali, with emcees and hosts Amy Kundrat and Stephanie Webster (yours truly).
We are GIVING AWAY 2 seats to the May 17 Battle Of The Chefs event (a $200 value). We will randomly select 1 lucky winner with a pair of tickets. To enter for a chance to win, please post a comment on this story (you must include your email and name when commenting) telling us what you think the secret ingredient should be. [All comments will be considered made before the end of the day, May 1. Winner announced on May 4].
Registration is open forConnecticut Food Bank’s 2015 Walk Against Hunger! Four of the state’s largest cities are hosting the Walk Against Hunger, a community gathering that increases hunger awareness and generates much needed funds to combat hunger in Connecticut. The Walk Against Hunger will increase Connecticut Food Bank’s capacity to fight hunger and most importantly celebrates our New England Spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. Locations this year are: Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven & Norwich.
All four Walks are 2.5 to 3 miles long with festiviites beginning at 1 p.m. Click on any of the Walk locations below to sign up and access “Walker Tools” to help you reach your fundraising goals.
Chefs Bernard Bouissou (Bernard’s), Silvia Bianco (formerly of Biscotti) and Prasad Chirnomula ( Thali)
Battle of the Chefs returns to Founders Hall on Sunday, May 17, 4 – 7pm. In a culinary showdown similar to Top Chef and Chopped, three chefs will compete for the benefit of Founders Hall. Chefs Silvia Bianco, formerly of Biscotti, Bernard Bouissou of Bernard’s, and Prasad Chirnomula of Thali will compete to create an entree from a basket of surprise ingredients in front of a live audience. A panel of judges, including food critic and writer Jane Stern and wine/cheese connoisseur and business owner Monica Brown of No. 109 Cheese and Wine, will judge the chefs on their creativity, craftsmanship and culinary results. Hosts Amy Kundrat and Stephanie Webster (yours truly) of CTbites, will emcee.
