Received this in the in box… looks fun! I know for a fact that some really nice garlic roast beef will be available…
(Begin forwarded Message)
Hello Garlic Fans!
MN Garlic Festival will offer a unique culinary experience this year with a cadre of renowned Minnesota chefs converging at the festival cafe, “The Great ‘Scape”.
All six chefs were named as Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine’s “Restaurateurs of the Year”, which honored them for their commitment to local farmers, organic and traditional methods, and environmental awareness. Not only will they be preparing dishes in the cafe, but some will also present cooking demonstrations (schedule below).
The Festival Chefs for 2007 are:
Mike Phillips, The Craftsman <www.craftsmanrestaurant.com>
Chef Mike Phillips spent some time traveling and eating in other parts of the world, and then started cooking in area restaurants such as the Modern Cafe and the Walker Art Center. His interest in sustainable living, organic quality, and European cooking techniques are an integral part of the cuisine at The Craftsman.
Alexander Roberts, Restaurant Alma <www.restaurantalma.com>
Though born in Buffalo, New York, Alex’s formative years were spent in Minneapolis, working in local kitchens in high school and through college. In the early 1990’s, Alex moved to New York City, where he attended the French Culinary Institute. Upon his return to the Twin Cities, he opened Restaurant Alma, advancing his commitment to organic, sustainably produced food. Just this year, Alex was nominated for the prestigious James Beard Award as “Best Chef in the Midwest”. His new rotisserie, Brasa, is now open at 600 East Hennepin.
Lucia Watson, Lucia’s Restaurant & Wine Bar <www.lucias.com>
Chef Lucia Watson is the proprietor of one of the Twin Cities’ favorite neighborhood establishments, Lucia’s Restaurant & Wine Bar. A third generation Minnesotan, Lucia pursued her cooking passion at the School for American Chefs with Madeline Kamman and received her first level Master Sommelier certificate.
With two critically acclaimed books to her credit, Chef Watson has been honored with many awards over the years, including three nominations for a James Beard Award, and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s “Commitment to Community Award”. In addition to her work with the Farmers Youth Project, she lectures and teaches nationally and locally, often in support of sustainable food.
Phillip Becht, The Modern Cafe <www.moderncafeminneapolis.com>
Winner of the City Pages “BEST STAR-CHEF EXPERIENCE IN A RESTAURANT” award, Chef Becht is a very “hands-on” cook at the 1940’s style Modern Cafe.
Tracy Singleton, Birchwood Cafe <www.birchwoodcafe.com>
Voted City Pages “Best Vegetarian Restaurant” in 2000 and “Best Vegetarian Friendly Restaurant” in 2003, Tracy uses fresh local organic ingredients for her vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes at Birchwood Cafe, with an emphasis on simplicity, seasonality and buying local.
Russell Klein
Well known for his past work at W.A. Frost & Company, Chef Klein’s first cooking job was at Remi in New York City, and he studied with Cyril Renaud at La Caravelle and Fleur de Sel. With an obsession for local ingredients and high quality, Klein has championed local cheeses, and extended the concept of working with farmers by focusing on small, artisanal producers.
“The Great ‘Scape Cafe” (garlic lovers know that the “scape” is the flower stalk on certain garlic varieties that is in itself a delicacy) is MN Garlic Festival’s al fresco restaurant. Diners can choose to enjoy their meals, with foods from each of the chefs, at adjacent outdoor locations including the Concert Tent and the Chef Demonstration Tent. Most of the food is very local, with much of it actually being provided by farmers who are involved with the festival. It’s not uncommon to see cafe manager Greg Reynolds, an organic vegetable farmer who supplies several of the best restaurants and co-ops in the Twin Cities, shopping around to various booths at the festival, buying food that will be on someone’s plate within the hour.
Three of the festival chefs will present a cooking demonstration during the afternoon. Here is the schedule:
1:30 - Lucia Watson
2:30 - Alex Roberts
3:30 - Russell Klein
A family-friendly event with a full slate of entertainment and activities, MN Garlic Festival is sponsored by Sustainable Farming Association of MN <www.sfa-mn.org>, with a mission to support and promote family farms, vital rural communities and a healthy environment in Minnesota.
We’ve also had some marvelous vendors come aboard. You can choose from (or sample them all):
- Mexican food with the official Garlic Fest salsa
- Italian meats
- the official Garlic Fest pizza
- Garlic jelly
- a wide selection of frozen treats, and yes, garlic ice cream
- healthy fruit drinks and pop, and fresh lemonade
- root beer floats
. . . and lots more!
Details:
Event: MN Garlic Festival
Date: Saturday, August 18, 2007
Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Wright County Fairgrounds, Howard Lake, MN
Admission: Adults - $5; Pre-school kids - free; Kids 6-12 yrs. - $3
Parking: $1
Contact: Jerry Ford, Festival Director, (320) 543-3394, jerry@marienne.com
Website: www.sfa-mn.org