Last Thursday I had the delicious opportunity to attend the launch of the Sacramento Food Film Festival at Goldfield Trading Post, presented by the Food Literacy Center. It was a fun evening of unique bites provided by Jay Veregge of Ten 22, Aimal Formoli of Formoli’s Bistro, Michael Thiemann of Mother, Brian Mizner of Hook and Ladder and Hank Shaw, a James Beard Award-winning author. With such great names collaborating, the food definitely shared center stage with the film. By far, my favorite dish was the spicy cauliflower from Mother, a spicy Asian-inspired creation so full of savory flavors and satisfying texture that I didn’t even miss the meat.
On the film side, the selection of shorts shown throughout the evening was an eclectic and entertaining mix, but the kicker bit of entertainment for me was having each course served by a mini chef in uniform. It was great to see that the Food Literacy Center gave the children they provide services to a role in the event as fledgling foodies themselves, doling out each delicious bite as they balanced a full platter above their stiff white hats.
Be sure to check out the rest of the Sacramento Food Film Festival’s events, running through March 29. Get the full schedule here or check out our March 19 SacFoodies post with the events roundup.
My favorite bite of the night. Spicy cauliflower from Mother.
A mouth-watering, sweet berry and wafer concoction I could have eaten a platter of.
Attendees enjoy film shorts presented at Goldfield Trading Post.
Sacramento Food Film Festival
Food + film, you say? We call that a perfect pairing. The Sacramento Food Film Festival kicks off tonight and we have the scoop.
From March 19 to 29, there will be pairings of food and food-related movies at unique locations throughout town. There are a number of events to meet every taste and budget, with prices ranging from free to $70.
Hungry for more? Below are the bites to expect at some of the key events in the coming weeks. Visit Food Literacy Center online for the complete list of event details, locations, costs and to purchase tickets!
Thursday, March 19
Sacramento Food Film Festival Premiere (Goldfield Trading Post)
• Chefs will be pairing bites with each film. While the chefs are secretive about their dishes, it’s a safe bet to guess that Michael Thiemann of Mother will be creating a cauliflower recipe for the winning American short film, “How Does It Grow: Cauliflower.” James Beard Award-winning Chef Hank Shaw will be creating a dish for the South African film short in the International category, “Stand Up.” Based on Shaw’s time spent in South Africa as a journalist, we can expect something traditional and delicious.
Friday, March 20
Soul of a Banquet (Frank Fat’s Catering Facility)
• Chef Mike Lim is trained in authentic Asian cooking, and it shows! Attendees are in for an entirely new spin on what is traditionally thought of as Chinese food. Expect lotus leaf-wrapped rice, chicken, seafood treasure hot pot, stir fried vegetables with grass-fed lamb, mushrooms.
Saturday, March 21
Urban Farm Short Films and Urban Ag VIPea Bus Tour (McClatchy Park)
• While the chefs haven’t made their menu public yet, we know that Payam Fardanesh will be on board the bus to share his newest Silk Road flavor: ginger!
Sunday, March 22
The Farmer & The Chef (Ruhstaller Brewery + Tap Room)
• Not only will they have bites—the chefs will also be performing live demos on stage! Demos include: a beet cracked with a hammer to form beet chips, pig’s head butchery demo, and that’s just the beginning.
Tuesday, March 24
Federalist (Federalist Public House)
• Chef Shannon McElroy will be throwing down pizza creations using plenty of farm fresh ingredients. Tables will be garnished with a new twist not typical at the restaurant: jars of pickled produce!
Wednesday, March 25
Terra Firma (Central Library Gallería)
• Hot Italian will create farm-fresh pizzas, while Ginger Elizabeth will provide Plum Jasmine Macarons with plums from Ferrari Farms.
Wednesday, March 25
Hundred Foot Journey (Lucca)
• Attendees will enjoy a full four-course Indian-inspired menu based on the film, with dishes including Shrimp Pakora, Lamb Tartare and Yogurt Crème Cuite.
Thursday, March 26
The Way Back to Yarasquin (Chocolate Fish Coffee Roasters)
• The entire menu will be coffee-inspired! Celebrated pastry Chef Elaine Baker is creating a sticky toffee-coffee cake and a chocolate coffee cream tartlet. One Speed will be serving up coffee-pork sliders.
Friday, March 27
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Family Movie Night & Dinner (Clunie Community Center)
• Selland’s Market-Café will be serving up their popular spaghetti dinner and adding a slice of blueberry pie for dessert, inspired by the character Violet Beauregarde’s three-course meal chewing gum.
Saturday, March 28
Sriracha (Preservation & Co.)
• Attendees will enjoy one of Sacramento’s best bloody Mary’s using mix from Preservation & Co. alongside bites by chef Matt Brown of Forrester Foods.
Sunday, March 29
Food Chains (Turn Verein)
• Chips and salsa donated by Chipotle will be served alongside beer and Food Literacy Center’s famous popcorn with seasonings made by the kids, including a spicy Southwest mix.
Employee Appreciation Day + Hock Farm Craft & Provisions
Tomorrow is Employee Appreciation Day, and here at SacFoodies we know there’s no better way to say thanks to your loyal staff than offering up the chance to enjoy some top-notch food and spirits.
Yes, you CAN become the most beloved boss of all time tomorrow – simply invest in some tickets to Hock Farm Craft & Provisions’sRuhstaller five-course dinner with beer pairings, running through Saturday. Dole these coveted tickets out with all the grace of the benevolent leader you are, and your gift of grub will pay you back tenfold with all those hours of extra, happy productivity.
Tickets run $65 a pop, but what expense is too large when it comes to showing appreciation for your fellow man? With each ticket comes a delicious showcase of the best local fare, punctuated with delicious items like beer risotto and beer-braised Angus beef (you see the Sacramento Beer Week theme here).
So get your tickets now, and go down in history as the favorite CEO, “Culinary Experience Offer-er.”
I know. I challenge you to come up with a better acronym.
It’s a Macaron Renaissance
Can’t afford to take your Valentine to Paris this year, huh? Why not create a little Parisian romance with a bite-sized French cookie that’s all the rage – the French macaron. Not familiar with these sweet little confections? From simple ingredients like confectioners’ sugar, almond flour and egg whites emerges a dainty dessert that will impress your Valentine. These are definitely a step above a ho-hum box of chocolates!
You can make your own macarons, and there are a number of easy-to-follow recipes, but it’s the technique that makes the cookies light and chewy and the filling flavorful and lush. This Martha Stewart video does a nice job of breaking down the steps to create an authentic macaron experience.
However, if you’re more of a “pick it up at the bakery” kind of person, you’re in luck. Estelle’s Patisserie in downtown at 9th and K has delicious macarons (the pistachio one is unbelievable), as does Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates at 18th and L (the salty caramel one sounds amazing – hint, hint). Even Trader Joe’s carries macarons in the frozen section, and if you’re on a budget this Valentine’s Day, these are perfect – $4.99 for 12 chocolate and vanilla macarons (and, yes, they are good!).
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Valentine's Day Specials 2015
For many, Valentine’s Day is one of those love/hate holidays. We love the food and quality time with those we care about, but sometimes the hype and planning for a special evening can get overwhelming. To help you out, here are our top picks for a swanky (and straightforward) V-Day date night:
- Ella Dining Room and Bar – $135 per person, 4 courses + 1 bottle of Champagne; Contemporary American
- The Firehouse – $125 per person, 5 courses; Californian
- Grange – $89 per person, 4 courses; Californian
- Delta King – Pilothouse – $79 per person, 3 courses; Californian
- plan b Restaurant – $70 per person, 4 course; French
- Esquire Grill – $65 per person ; American
- Cabana Winery and Bistro – $30 per person, 4 courses; Californian
Note: These options are for special Prix Fix Valentine’s Day Menus, and may have specific seating times. Call for reservations.
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