SacFoodies

Raley’s 33rd Annual Food For Families Holiday Drive

by SacFoodies

Hey there, Fall Foodies!

It’s that time of year again – the days have turned colder, shorter, and pumpkin spicier.

As the crisp autumn air ushers in the glorious start to sweater season, it also finds us haunting the aisles of our local Raley’s (full disclosure: Raley’s is a client of ours) as we prep for the upcoming holidays. While we’re there, feverishly redesigning classic dishes to fit the dietary needs of our second cousins and thrice-removed aunts, we noticed something that we all can be thankful for this holiday season: Raley’s 33rd Annual Food For Families Holiday Drive.

Running from November 1st through December 31st, Raley’s hopes to raise 4.2 million meals to help support local food banks throughout Northern California and Nevada. Through their network of 12 county-level food bank partners, this campaign will benefit over 1.4 million food insecure people within the Raley’s footprint.

The huge scope of this giving campaign isn’t the only part that’s impressive: since Raley’s covers all administrative costs for the non-profit, 100% of proceeds go directly to food bank partners and those in need. Plus, all donations stay local to aid the communities in which they were made. Whether you’re at Raley’s staking claim on the perfect turkey or gathering ingredients for Grandma’s famous stuffing, every dollar you donate at check-out helps nourish your neighbors in need.

What an easy, affordable way to share the holiday love this season, Foodies.

To find out more, visit https://www.raleys.com/news/raleys-launches-33rd-annual-food-for-families-holiday-drive/, or donate online: http://www.foodforfamilies.org/donate/.

The Hospitality Industry Helping in the Community

by SacFoodies

Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs
October 30, 2019 (Wednesday)
5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. |Kimpton Sawyer Hotel

The 4th annual Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs is set for October 30, 2019, at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel—as part of Sacramento Hotel Association’s ongoing community service activities.

For 2019, the Farm-to-Fork Showcase will benefit Soil Born Farms, a non-profit 501(c)(3)organization. Soil Born Farms is about growing food, mentoring youth and future farmers, teaching people how to cook and garden, creating urban farms and preserving wild spaces, developing partnerships and improving access to fresh produce throughout our community, and at the core, it is about making a difference. It means transforming a shared vision of healthy food for all into a local reality.

The Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs is sponsored by the Sacramento Hotel Association (SHA).The event will feature:

  • Festive Farm-to-Fork food stations from local hotels/restaurants
  • Friendly competition among the hotel executive chefs—three different awards
  • Craft beer tastings from local brewers
  • Wine tastings from area vintners
  • Silent auction of gift baskets and prize packages
  • Musical entertainment

The Sacramento Hotel Association’s Sacramento Hotels Farm-to-Fork Showcase: Challenge of the Chefs open to the public. Advance tickets are $45 per person plus service fee; tickets are $55 per person at the door. You can pre-purchase your tickets at www.ChallengeoftheChefs.com

River City Wine Week is Almost Here!

by SacFoodies

Big news – Sacramento’s first ever wine week is kicking off on August 7th! River City Wine Week will celebrate all things Sacramento wine with events, seminars, dinner and other fun activities across the region. 

“What a wonderful opportunity to highlight wine with the bounty we have in Sacramento! For us, It’s a time to highlight our relationships with winemakers and distributors, and have fun with exciting wine flights and dinner and cheese pairings! We especially look forward to collaborating with a nonprofit, possibly Front Street Animal Shelter for an extra special event,” commented Sara Arbabian, proprietor of The Rind and La Crosta.

“As wine buyers, we taste hundreds of wines every month to bring guests the best quality, best value and most interesting stories.  We love an event focused around wine and food, where we can highlight and share some of our favorite finds in unique and creative ways,” states John Marco, owner of the downtown wine bar, Whired.

Kicking off the festivities, on August 7th, will be the Pop & Pour Wine Tasting at the Clara Auditorium in Midtown Sacramento. This event will serve as a benefit for WellSpace Health, a system of community health centers that provide primary care, dental health, and behavorial health services in Sacramento, Placer and Amador Counties.  In addition, WellSpace Health also operates the region’s suicide prevention and crisis lines.

Pop & Pour is a walk-around tasting event that will feature over 35 wineries and give attendees an opportunity to sample a diverse selection of wines from boutique wineries like foothill newcomer, Casino Mine Ranch, and established and highly-regarded old vine Zinfandel producer, Gamba Vineyards & Winery. 

River City Wine Week is co-founded by Rachael Levine and Carrie Boyle, both with over 20 years of professional wine experience in the Sacramento area. The multi-day event raises awareness for Sacramento’s unique position in the heart of America’s wine country.  Residents and visitors to the Capital City have unparalleled access to the wineries of Amador County, El Dorado County, Placer County, Napa County, Sonoma County, Lodi, Calaveras County, Sacramento County, Yolo County, and the Northern Sierra.  There are more than 1,000 wineries located within a two-hour drive. 

“Sacramento knows and loves food and wine. River City Wine Week is a chance to celebrate this love affair and share that passion with the community,” said Levine.

“Sacramento is ground zero, geographically, for wine tourism in Northern California,” added Boyle. “In the age of craft beer and cocktails, we think it’s time to bring wine back into the conversation.”

Visit River City Wine Week to buy tickets for Pop & Pour and check out the full calendar of events – P.S. use offer code EARLYRCWW for $10 off your ticket price, valid until July 22nd. 

Cheers, foodies! 

Food and Fútbol

by SacFoodies

As a proud European, it’s in my blood to be a fútbol (soccer, to all you Americans) fan. That said, I am embarrassed to say that I’ve lived in Sacramento for two years and I’ve never been to a Sac Republic game! That all changed a few weeks ago when this SacFoodie was invited to a VIP experience for Republic FC vs Reno 1868.

The VIP section is right behind the south goal and offers a mix of high-top table seating and up close and personal bar seating. We chose to sit literally as close as possible to the action, because, you know, first game ever! Once we found our seats, we headed to the buffet (one on each side of the seating area) to chow down on some delicious Mayahuel dishes!

*Side note* You know how sometimes large catered events only give you lukewarm pasta and a slim slice of overdone tri tip? Well, the folks at Sac Republic have made an effort to change that by bringing in amazing local restaurants to cater their home games! Throughout the season they’ve invited Mayahuel, Tank House, Selland’s, Chando’s, Paesanos and Culinerdy to cater, and wow does it pay off!

For dinner we had fantastic Pork Mole, Mushrooms in a Pistachio Sauce, Chicken Enchiladas and of course, flour tortillas and rice and beans. I was so impressed that they had a vegan option to be inclusive for all diets. In addition to the food (with a view) we enjoyed a pregame watermelon margarita that was the perfect amount of sweet and tart. Then during the game, we took advantage of the full bar with our two free drink coupons! So, if all of this has sold you on the VIP experience, visit SRFC VIP Tickets to purchase VIP packages for any upcoming home game, going through October 12th, or contact Chris Nasser at 916-307-6103 to purchase group tickets. Also – keep your eyes peeled on our Instagram for a special giveaway coming soon!

Most of all, I learned I love some Food and Sacramento Republic Fútbol. So, who wants to go to a game??

Sol Blume 2019: Everything You Need to Know

by SacFoodies

by Laurel Harrison 

For the second year in a row, Sol Blume is coming to Sacramento! If you didn’t make it to Coachella (slowly raises hand), here’s your chance to get your fill of music, art, tasty food, and ~chill vibes~. 

Sol Blume is happening this Saturday, April 27, in Cesar Chavez Plaza, with doors opening at 11:00am. Artists include Miguel, Masego (our personal favorite), Tierra Whack (fresh off a set at Coachella), Queen Naija, Jessie Reyez, Tobi Lou and Snoh Aalegra, among others. Full set list available here.

Some of our absolute favorite food trucks will be serving up their specialties throughout the fest, and we can’t wait to visit Nash & Proper for a spicy fried chicken sandwich (medium spice – trust us), and Hefty Gyros for falafel. If you’re looking for something vegan or plant-forward, Bambi Vegan Tacos has your back. Other options? Wandering Boba, CA Street Tacos, Ma Sarap, India Jones, and Yolanda’s Tamales will all be there, so come hungry! 

Keep an eye out for your IG influencer-worthy photo op at the multiple art installations throughout Sol Blume. These include a flower wall, the Sol Child flower mascot, live mural painting, All Good Apparel‘s national park-themed pallet lounge, and Hella Good Company‘s living-room inspired installation. 

To buy your tickets or find more information on schedules, event rules and attendance details, visit the official Sol Blume website here. 

We hope to see you there! Stop by and say hi if you see us!