Tag Archives: chefs

Sample, Sip, and Savor at Denver Food & Wine

5 Sep

Ok Denver, it’s time – the Eighth Annual Denver Food and Wine event will be bursting with flavor September 6-8th.

This three day food and wine extravaganza, located on the Metropolitan State University of Denver campus, is expected to attract more than 4,500 attendees, with 40 restaurants and 600 delicious samples of wine and spirits.

Below is a list of all the great events happening this week, and don’t forget to check out two of our fantastic Forkly users,  Chef Jenna Johansen and Chef Kelly Liken on Friday, September 7th for a “dueling culinary demo!”

@jennajohansen

@kellyliken

Wednesday, Sept. 5th – Multi-course Joseph Phelps Vineyards Wine Dinner prepared by top Denver Chef Frank Bonanno at the new Metropolitan State University of Denver Hospitality Learning Center and Springhill Suites by Marriott located on the MSUD campus. Each course will be accompanied by a special Phelps Vineyard wine.

Thursday, Sept. 6th – Chef Dario Cecchini, the world’s most famous butcher will join Panzano Executive Chef Elise Wiggins for a butchery demonstration and multi-course dinner at Panzano restaurant.

Friday, Sept. 7th

2:30 p.m. – A dueling culinary demo “Cooking for Reality TV” with Chef Kelly Liken (Iron Chef America & Top Chef) and Chef Jenna Johansen (Around the World in 80 Plates). Cost is $20 and includes a ticket to Restaurants Rock–hosted by Chefs Jenna Johansen & Kelly Liken!

3:30 p.m. – Spiegelau Glass Beer Seminar includes a set of glasses to taste Pilsner, Heffeweisen IPA/APA and Belgian style beers and to take home.

5:30 p.m. – During this guided journey, taste how the flavors and aromas of wines are enhanced when a glass shape is designed according to the character of the wine. In addition, Whole Foods Market will be complementing each wine with their perfectly matched cheeses. Featured Wines: Kunde Reserve Chardonnay, Hugel Riesling, and more!

Saturday, Sept. 8, 12pm-4pm - The Grand Tasting! Featuring Dario Cecchini, Elise Wiggins, and Daniel Asher, and tastings galore!

Be sure to Forkly all your delicious food finds – we can’t wait to see them! Visit the official website for more details on tickets and all the happenings.

Forkly for a Cause: Denver Health Foundation’s Hot Rocks Griller Challenge

7 Jun

Next week, if you’re in the Denver area there’s a real treat in store from the Denver Health Foundation. On Wednesday June 13, from 6pm-9pm at Elway’s Cherry Creek, the foundation is hosting their 4th annual Hot Rocks Griller Challenge fundraiser for men’s health.

This ultimate man party is about 15 of Denver’s top chefs grilling real food in a heated competition, plus a dessert chef to complement the menu. Guests will savor juicy sliders and hearty side dishes expertly paired with wine, enjoy live music by Chris Daniels and the Kings, a High Striker carnival game competition, and a silent auction. And the best part? It’s all to help raise awareness and funds for Denver Health Foundation’s men’s health programs. Tickets start at $100 per person and must be purchased in advance online at DenverHealthFoundation.org.

The field of competitors represents some of Denver’s best culinary talent and their impressive restaurants. Chefs include Steve Ballas of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs, Robert Bogart of Elway’s Downtown, Michael Bortz (Dessert Chef) of City Bakery, Jamey Fader of Lola & Big Red F Restaurant Group, Troy Guard of TAG, TAG Raw Bar & Madison Grill, Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja, Bistro Vendôme & Euclid Hall, Simon Purvis of EDGE Restaurant, Paul Reilly, Matt Selby & Brandon Biederman of Vesta Dipping Grill & Steuben’s, Goose Sorensen of Solera, Darrel Truett of Barolo Grill, Tyler Wiard & Aniedra Nichols of Elway’s Cherry Creek, Elise Wiggins of Panzano, Sean Yontz of El Diablo. Guests may purchase poker chips to use for casting votes for their favorite sliders and sides. Chips (votes) range from $5 to $100 and raise additional funds for Denver Health Foundation.

The top 10 health threats to men are mostly preventable. One reason is because men are less likely to see the doctor — 40.7 percent (men) versus 59.3 percent (women) – until those small, preventable issues become big problems. Men age 24-44 account for a mere 7.4 percent of current visits and these are mostly for weekend warrior type orthopedic injuries. Regular physical exams, plus serious attention paid to exercise, eating habits, smoking cessation and other prevention strategies can help reverse these barriers that can lead to premature death. Funds raised through Hot Rocks will raise awareness of men’s health issues and support programs to prevent unnecessary and premature death.

And what’s a fundraiser without Forkly users spreading the word & sharing the love?! If you’re able to attend the event, RSVP as soon as possible. When at the event, include the hashtag #MensHealth and/or the handle @DenverHealthMed in your Forkly posts. Two of Forkly’s team members Martin May and Conor Swanson will be there, so be sure to check out their posts!

Featured: Boston Chef Michael Scelfo

1 Jun

EXECUTIVE CHEF MICHAEL SCELFO (Forkly: @mscelfo)

Leading Forkly’s Greater Boston area Forkly users is Michael Scelfo, Chef of Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Just a look at Chef Scelfo’s photos and the Russell House Tavern’s website will make you want to hop on a plane to Boston– his food is incredibly gorgeous. Chef Scelfo’s culinary philosophy: serious food does not have to be pretentious.

A Western Culinary Institute grad, Michael spent quality time as a young cook in the James Beard award-winning Wildwood Kitchen in Portland, Oregon. Four years later, at the age of 25, he found himself receiving a 2 ½ star review in The New York Times while at the helm of Long Island’s sophisticated Blond. He has since overseen the kitchens of several Boston neighborhood joints with cult-like followings, including Dedo, North Street Grill, Good Life, and Tea-Tray in the Sky, at which he received a three star review from The Boston Globe.

In 2009, Michael took the helm at Russell House Tavern’s sister restaurant, Temple Bar, and in April 2010, Michael Scelfo opened Russell House Tavern as Executive Chef– named one of “Boston’s Best” by The Improper Bostonian since then. His ever evolving culinary style is heavily influenced by local, seasonal produce. Chef Scelfo favors using ingredients that tickle his fancy, show a creative respect for the classics, or have deep, personal meaning such as dovetailing off of his grandmother’s home-made recipes.

If you’re in the Boston-area, there are some great events coming up that Chef Scelfo and Russell House Tavern are participating in:

“Heading into the summer, we’re excited about a lot of things coming up at Russell House Tavern. We have our third annual nose-to-tail “pignic” where we prepare an eight-course dinner using every last bit of a pig from Brambly Farms, in partnership with the amazing folks at Island Creek Oysters and High & Mighty Brewery. We are also participating for the third year in the Taste of Cambridge fundraiser. And our famous Secret Burger is in Boston magazine’s Battle of the Burger competition.”

June 12, 5:30pm-8:30pm: Taste of Cambridge

Voting open until July 6: Boston Magazine’s Battle of the Burger

July 11, 6pm-9pm: 3rd Annual Nose-to-tail Pignic

Plus, the Russell House Tavern offers $1 Oysters after 11pm every night, what?! Mmmm oysters.

In the meantime, take a look at some of Chef Scelfo’s fantastic Forkly posts and follow him on Forkly for the months ahead, should be an exciting ride! You can also follow him on Twitter or the Russell House Tavern on Twitter.