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SOS on stage, cookin’ at the Global Market and hot spots across town
SOS BRINGS OUT 300 FOOD FANS…and dozens of talented mixologists and chefs, including our two Minnesota James Beard Winners. The event, held in the yellow-glass-enclosed lobby and the adjoining theater in the upper-level at the Guthrie set the stage in June for this annual Taste of the Nation. The scene was stunning as the sunset sparkled through the golden glass walls. The script called for a real walk-around cocktail party with food and sparkling drinks as well—and thanks to the great turn out, over $25,000 was raised in the ongoing goal to fight hunger.
Since 1988, Share Our Strength has hosted Taste of the Nation events across the country that raise funds for the effort to end childhood hunger. I recall the early days myself, and am thrilled to see the walk-around format return to Minneapolis for the past four years—at an affordable price, too, thanks to the new “hotlist” of young volunteer supporters who re-energized the local event. Share Our Strength’s efforts ensure 100 percent of event ticket sales go toward ending childhood hunger in and around our own Twin Cities, and best of all, loads of our local top chefs jump on board.
This year, the evening featured over a dozen top restaurants and chefs generously donating their culinary talents as well as a premium drink selection of Brown-Forman spirits with cocktails created by some of the famous faces from behind the bars in town. Our $58 ticket bought us a taste from chefs and hot spots the likes of 20.21, the Dakota, Café Maude, Bradstreet, Saffron, Bar La Grassa and the Strip Club to name a few. Also, great fun to see our two James Beard Award winning chefs on the scene, too, with Tim McKee and his Guthrie Sea Change team as well as his tastes from his La BelleVie and Solera eateries. This year’s Beard winner Alex Roberts donned his Brasa T-shirt to share a sampling table as well. Many were backed up with their mixologist bar teams, too, with talent from the likes of Bradstreet, La Belle Vie, the Strip Club and Maude’s going strong with risky recipes on the liquid refreshments tables. AND, for sweet tooth fans they featured our very own, not-to-be-forgotten Diva of Desserts—the one and only Michelle Gayer of the Salty Tart Bakery in the Midtown Global Market. I say “only” because not only was she the lone female chef featured in this “good-old boys” mix, but she has the prestigious honor of being the only Minnesota chef nominated in the national pastry category at this year’s James Beard awards (see my Beard Awards story in the June/July FSN, and see some of my fun SOS party pics, too, in our August FSN blog).
GLOBAL MARKET REALLY COOKS…thanks to a floating group of talented caterers and chefs who hang out at the specially designed “Kitchen in the Market” just inside the front door. Yes, you can get your mojo on and cook up a storm at this popular four-year-old marketplace where more than 50 independent, locally-owned businesses sell their wares. You’ll tour and shop for some of those wonderful, exotic ingredients you spot around the market from meat and seafood to fresh produce and then head to the open kitchen where you prep, cook and then sit down and eat your freshly prepared meal—all under one roof. Cheers! Oh and best of all, there’s wine, too! I’m sold.
I peeked into one of these fun monthly classes in July when chef/caterer Molly Herrmann taught the “Cooking in the Market” class. Herrmann, who owns Tastebud Catering, explained she can share this kitchen for special events and classes on a rotating schedule with nine other small caterers—and they love finding their fresh resources for any recipe needs just steps away. A former nutritionist at a retirement community in San Diego, she began her catering business as a personal chef to friends who liked her healthy and hearty approach to cooking.
Her series of classes will be offered one Saturday afternoon from 5 to 8 p.m. each month through November, and for just $50 you really get your money’s worth. We started our afternoon class with a wine and cheese tasting as neighboring vendor, Vicki Potts, who operates the Grass Roots Gourmet just down the aisle, presented a show-and-tell about some of the great regional cheeses in her cooler. The small group (always 12 or less) then gets ready to tour the market with Chef Herrmann to get ideas on the ingredients they might gather for their own creative menu plans. She explained the goal of the classes is to introduce participants to the fresh, unique ingredients the MGM has to offer and to spark inspiration for creative meals—and she is succeeding. Classmates in groups of three or four shopped, prepped and cooked at four food stations, then sat down to eat the shared meal just created, along with fun food stories. You can experience this Global Market adventure by calling Kim Hanna at the MGM to register at 612-872-4041. Next class is August 14.
FHIMA OPENS FACES WITH A SMILE…and all faces were indeed smiling as the bubbly was flowing and people crowded into the new Faces Mears Park for the Ordway Circle of Stars benefit and to highlight Faces’ official June opening. Faces looks like a winner. Fhima (who I interviewed in the May issue of FSN) remodeled and opened Faces in the old LoTo spot he operated in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood in partnership with LifeTime Fitness at the old Galtier Plaza, (now renamed Cray Plaza after their new major tenant Cray Inc.) It has a great floor-to-ceiling wall of windows and faces Mears Park (hence double-meaning in the name). And as David told me in May, the theme will be an emphasis on American comfort food with a fresh, organic, healthy and flavorful menu as he brings back fond memories of our grandmother’s cooking when we grew up. The logo boasts Faces’ offerings: bistro, bar, bakery, and bottle shop. Hmm. Looks like you can grab a baguette or some deli fun stuff and a bottle of wine as well and head out for your own picnic in the park. Super idea.
On opening night, David, who was decked out in his chef whites, popped in and out working the kitchen himself. It was fun to watch him spot an old familiar face and stop and pose for the camera. Such a ham—and so happy with this new concept. It was nice that friends and family were in the crowd, and it’s especially nice that two of his favorite faces—grown-up daughter Chloe his lovely wife Lori are on the bistro team as well. Cheers! (See party pics on the August FSN Blog)
LOOK UP AT UPTOWN CAFETERIA...home of the new Sky Bar and hard-to-miss, stunning four-story glass elevator. Calhoun Square’s newest hot spot is officially named the Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group, where it’s retro-cool and always comfy seven days a week. The cool yellow, green and blue plastic food trays glued to the hallway walls at the Calhoun Square mall entrance will give you a clue to the cafeteria humor. Even the employee T-shirts repeat the graphic outline of the plastic tray design on their chests as their stamp of cafeteria approval. Inside, the street level dining room boasts formica counter top bar and kitschy turquoise plastic swivel chairs. Roll-up windows along the sidewalk wall complete the open-air, drive-in feel. Move over Galaxy Drive-in, now there’s another new ’50s spot on the west side of town with great comfort food and adult, fancy fun drinks at the walk around bar and up on the irresistible Sky Bar rooftop, too. There’s a great view of the Uptown Theater marquee at sunset.
This is another creative concept by Phil Roberts with the versatile team over at Parasole. Bravo! They just keep ’em coming. It now makes a trio of fun Parasole choices right there at Lake and Hennepin, with Chino Latino and the new Il Gatto. The Cafeteria, headed up under the watchful eye of Chef Jeff Anderson, is the only one open for lunch (and breakfast too on weekends). So start there when you want to do some daytime tasting research. In fact, try their new “passport” promotion when you travel to all three in an evening. See this fun video I caught on Facebook which shows B.T. from Cities 97 traveling with Phil for their showcase on the three spots with tastings and “sippings,” too. Looks delish! http://www.parasole.com/passport/
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