Holidays – Page 2

Valentine's Day in Sacramento

February 9, 2017 by SacFoodies

By Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt

Valentine’s Day is almost here. We know that everyone can use a little bit of help with the planning process sometimes, so we have gathered Valentine’s weekend events and restaurant specials that are sure to please!

Valentine’s Day Weekend Events:

Port, Wine and Chocolate Lover’s Weekend
Port, Wine and Chocolate? You can’t go wrong there! Old Sugar Mill is giving you access to all three with their Lover’s Weekend. Thirteen wineries are in one location offering tastings from the barrels – of wine and chocolate. A cigar lounge, live music and demonstrations, including a “Bottle Your Own Port” activity round out the event. This is a unique event that will certainly add some fun to your Valentine’s Day weekend.
Cost: $29.50 in advance, $40 the day of, and $10 for any Designated Driver; $125 for the Bon Temps Package for groups of 6 or more. (purchase tickets)
February 11, 2017 – February 12, 2017
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Old Sugar Mill
35265 Willow Avenue
Clarksburg, CA 95612
Valentine’s Day Wine Tour
Odds are you are going to get some sort of chocolate this Valentine’s Day and nothing pairs better with chocolate than wine! Grab your heart shaped box and hop on the Valentine’s Day Wine Tour presented by Cain Event Planning. This all-day tour includes transportation to participating Amador County wineries Karmere, Dobra Zemjla and Helwig Winery, drink service during travel, lunch and of course wine tastings. It is a great way to spend the day with your loved one.
Cost: $59 for a single ticket and $110 for a couple’s ticket (purchase tickets)
February 11, 2017
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Butterfield Station
9636 Butterfield Road
Rancho Cordova, CA 95827
American Whiskey with the Bourbon Babes
Hook & Ladder Manufacturing Co. offers an alternative option for Valentine’s Day weekend. Join The Bourbon Babes at Cocktail Academy and learn everything there is to know about American Whiskey.
Cost: $75
February 11, 2017
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Co.
1630 S St
Sacramento, CA 95811

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Toffee from McFaddy Candy Co.

December 19, 2016 by SacFoodies

“Would you like to sample some handmade toffee?” Now, there’s an offer we can’t refuse.
When Katherine Ellis, owner of McFaddy Candy Co. offered the SacFoodies a sampling of her handmade toffee, we gladly accepted – and we’re glad we did. Among custom/seasonal flavors (such as Pecan Pie), she offers Salted, Himalyayn Dark, Hawaiian Macadamia Nut, Strawberry Kiss and Matcha Green Tea toffee flavors.
‘Tis the season for indulgent treats and we can’t get enough of salty/sweet combinations these days, so toffee fits the bill (especially around 3pm).
If you’re looking for a small gift for a business associate or even a hostess gift, you can’t go wrong with a jar of handmade toffee.

Sacramento Food Drive Round Up

November 21, 2016 by SacFoodies

By: Harrison Reilly

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s always important to consider those who are less fortunate. Every year, thousands of food drives are conducted across the United States, and Sacramento is no exception.
With the season of giving kicking off, here are a list of food drives and fundraisers you can donate to in the Sacramento area:
Run to Feed the Hungry
The 23rd annual Run to Feed the Hungry has become a staple in Sacramento’s Thanksgiving Day festivities with the event now ranking as Sacramento Valley’s largest annual fun run/walk. With a fundraiser goal of $150,000, Run to Feed the Hungry supports the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
If you’re interested in being part of the 30,000 participants, visit the Run to Feed the Hungry website today to register. And if you can’t make it to Sacramento on Thanksgiving, Davis, Elk Grove, Folsom and Roseville all do their own local Thanksgiving fun runs.
The run will start on 6000 J Street on November 24^th at 8:15 a.m. Registration is $40. For more information, visit Run to Feed the Hungry’s website.
Loaves & Fishes Annual Thanksgiving Meal
Every year, Sacramento Loaves & Fishes, a Sacramento based homeless shelter, hosts a Thanksgiving meal for 1,000 people in need. According to their organization, that requires 300 turkeys, 200 cans of yams, 400 pies and 100 gallons of apple juice. Yet, every year, the good people at Loaves & Fishes get it done!
The organization is currently accepting donations through November 23^rd for their big feast. To donate, visit their warehouse on 1351 North C Street. For a list of items Loaves & Fishes is seeking and their hours of operation, visit their website at http://sacloaves.org/holiday/thanksgiving/.
River City Food Bank Drive
Our very own home of the Bank of the West Tower is helping out the River City Food Bank with a food drive of its own. If you happen to be working downtown, come visit the Bank of West tower and donate nonperishable goods.
If you are unable to donate this year, remember food banks and homeless shelters accept donations year round. They’re just as grateful for your donations in April.
Happy Thanksgiving from SacFoodies!

2016 Sac Food Film Festival

March 9, 2016 by SacFoodies

It’s that time of year again! From April 7-16, Food Literacy Center and the Sacramento Farm-to-Fork initiative will be teaming up to host the 5^th annual Sacramento Food Film Festival.
The 10-day festival will showcase award-winning short films, documentaries and family-friendly movies served alongside food and drink pairings from the area’s best local chefs and bartenders. To sweeten the pot even more, the festival also boasts music, art, “VIPea” experiences and more!
Starting on the evening of Thursday, April 7, an all-star cast of local chefs — from Localis, Hawks Public House, Kru Contemporary Japanese, Thai Basil Sacramento, Federalist Public House, Block Butcher Bar and Ten22 Old Sacramento— will be pairing delicious bites with award-winning short food films from the Sacramento area and beyond. Each day of the festival has a different food or film-related theme, hosted by various restaurants and venues in the Sacramento area and sponsored by generous local businesses.
Tickets are sold individually per event, ranging from free admission to $105 for the added VIPea experience. For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets to the 5th annual Sacramento Food Film Festival, please visit: http://www.foodliteracycenter.org/film-festival. And don’t delay; events are already selling out!

A Fabulously Sweet Evening at Andy’s Candy Apothecary

March 8, 2016 by SacFoodies

You might have noticed that last month on SacFoodies we celebrated all things fabulous. Well, even though it’s now March, I have something really fabulous to share with you today. Call it fabulous, marvelous, something out of a dream, or whatever you’d like – you’re going to want to know about this.

Sarah Maren Photographers — Photo Courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography and Andy’s Candy Apothecary

Have you ever had a dream that you were one of the kids that got to tour Willy Wonka’s factory and play in his magical room filled with candy? You know, the one that has a chocolate river, whipped-cream filled mushrooms, trees with gummy leaves and numerous other sweet treats. Well I’m about to tell you that right here in Sacramento you can have an exclusive experience that will make those dreams come true.
After hours, Andy Paul of Andy’s Candy Apothecary, provides exclusive, curated tastings of some of the highest-quality confections available, all in the privacy of his gorgeous candy store. From old-timey sweets, to artisan chocolates, to unique treats (spicy and zesty tequila lime tortilla chip brittle, anyone?), he leads groups through tastings akin to a wine tasting with a skilled sommelier. Speaking of wine, Andy also encourages groups to bring in their favorite wines to enjoy with the treats. An evening filled with candy and wine, how bad can that be?

Photo Courtesy of Sarah Maren Photography and Andy’s Candy Apothecary

I can tell you from personal experience that it’s not bad at all – in fact, it’s pretty great! I recently had the pleasure of attending one of these exclusive candy and wine gatherings at Andy’s with a group of 10 of my friends, and we had an absolute blast. We enjoyed 17 different candies (you read that right!) and brought a selection of wines which we paired with the unique candies that we tasted. Andy guided us through the tasting, encouraging us to enjoy each piece of candy and think about the nuances of flavors and textures (these are not run-of-the-mill candies, so it’s truly worth savoring each bite).

The seemingly never-ending selection of candies to try, and the fact that we had the store all to ourselves, made me feel just like a kid in Wonka’s factory (without the fear of turning into a giant blueberry) and it was the perfect way to spend a Thursday night with friends.
All in all, we learned a lot, tasted some delicious treats and had a great time. I’m already thinking of excuses to do it again.
If you’re looking to do something fabulous, book yourself a private tasting at Andy’s Candy Apothecary. I promise it’ll be sweet!
For pricing and additional information on private tastings, click here.
Andy’s Candy Apothecary
1012 9th St.
916-905-4115
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:30am-6pm; Sunday 11am-4pm