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A Taste of Taste of the Nation

partysugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:50:35 -0700

Last Thursday, Yum and I had the pleasure of attending a delicious fundraiser in San Francisco. Taste of the Nation is a one-night event held in major cities across the United States; the proceeds are donated to Share Our Strength - an organization that fights the hunger crisis in America. Chefs from all over the city came together to serve bites that represented their restaurants and culinary point of view. Here, you'll find out what we enjoyed at the tasting reception that was held at the Giants stadium.

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YumSugar Gift Guide: Last Minute Gourmet Gifts

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:16:11 -0800

As much as we try to avoid it, last-minute shopping inevitably seems to be a part of every holiday season. This year, do yourself a favor: Ditch the stressful, crowded mall, and shop online instead.

Email your Internet-savvy foodie friend with the gift of a customizable Tastebook; set your wine-loving college roommate up with a Wine Enthusiast subscription. For the truly special oenophile, opt for Williams-Sonoma's new wine club - a gift to enjoy year-round.

For more gift ideas, browse the selection below and check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Good Food Garden: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 05:32:54 -0700

While attending the country's first-ever Slow Food Nation this weekend, I came across the Good Food Garden structure that the Food Network and the Share Our Strength unveiled just a week ago.

While I love the fact that Teich Garden Systems, which built the garden, designed it for everything from schoolyards to backyards, I also wonder if it's really necessary to have a special gardening platform, since people have been planting gardens for hundreds of years without them. What do you think of the Good Food Garden?

Food Network's Last-Minute Jump on the SFN Bandwagon

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:00:48 -0700

Yesterday morning, Food Network announced its participation in Slow Food Nation. Food Network, along with its charitable partner Share Our Strength, will "unveil a new original platform" called Good Food Gardens. The fully sustainable gardens will be filled with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The enclosed 10-by-16-foot cedar wood structures that hold the gardens are designed for the likes of schools, organizations, and homeowners. The first garden will debut across from San Francisco's highly buzzed-about Victory Garden, and be donated to a local Boys & Girls Club after the close of the event.

I find it unusual for Food Network to announce a partnership with Slow Food Nation just four days before the start of the event. They're also beating everyone to the punch by unveiling their proprietary garden the day before the festival actually begins. What do you think? Was this a last-minute effort on the part of the network?

You Know You Want to Check Out the World's Largest Cupcake

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:13:31 -0700

If you live near the Mall of America and you love cupcakes - or baked goods in general - then you'll want to mark your calendars. This Sunday, Mar. 30, Share Our Strength is putting on the "World's Largest Bake Sale." It will be hosted by Food Network's Sandra "Semi-Homemade" Lee and Duff "Ace of Cakes" Goldman. Together they will be on hand to promote the over 40,000 baked goods made by students at the Arts Institute International Minnesota using Food Network celebrity recipes.

While there Lee will be signing copies of her book, and Goldman will be attempting to set the Guinness Book record for the world's largest cupcake. When asked about the event, Goldman said:

What better way to fight hunger than a cupcake the size of a Shetland Pony? We're really excited to be a part of this event for Great American Bake Sale.

I could probably think of a few better ways, but hey he's there for a good cause, so I'll let him have his moment.

If you're interested in attending, the event begins this Sunday at 11 a.m.

Source

Noteworthy Nibbles - Oct. 13-20, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:00:31 -0700

As food festival season dwindles down, you might find yourself searching harder for events that will entertain you as much as your tastebuds. But look no further than our list below. Where else can you touch a 1,658-pound pumpkin but the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival? Imagine the jack-o'-lantern possibilities with that one. Find out what Top Cheffer Stefan Richter's been up to in Martha's Vineyard, or watch fellow contestant Fabio Viviani cook in the City of Brotherly Love.

Know of anything we've left off the list this week? Then please feel free to drop a line below!

New York, NY: Global Kitchen: The Magic of Pickling - Oct. 13
Boston, MA: Share Our Strength's A Tasteful Pursuit Dinner - Oct. 13
San Francisco, CA: Whiskeyfest - Oct. 16
Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 16-18
Edgartown, MA: Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 16-18
Baltimore, MD: Russian Festival - Oct. 16-18
Fort Collins, CO: Fall Harvest Brewfest - Oct. 17
Llano, TX: Llano River Chuck Wagon Cookoff - Oct. 17
Half Moon Bay, CA: Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 17-18
Wellfleet, MA: Wellfleet Oysterfest - Oct. 17-18
Chicago, IL: Friends of James Beard Benefit Chicago - Oct. 18

Noteworthy Nibbles - Oct. 6-13, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:00:10 -0700

This week kicks off one of the biggest culinary events of the year: the NYC Wine and Food Festival, featuring headliners like Rachael, Bobby, and new favorite celeb chef, Ming.

Not in New York? No worries - there's still something to raise your glass to. Even though Oktoberfest technically ended last weekend, the party rages on from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Where will this week take you? Let us know below!

New York, NY: Rum Fest - Oct. 8
New York, NY: NYC Wine & Food Festival - Oct. 8-11
Gulf Shores, AL: National Shrimp Festival - Oct. 8-11
Panama City, FL: Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine & Music Festival - Oct. 9-11
Puyallup, WA: Oktoberfest NW - Oct. 9-11
Timonium, MD: Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest - Oct. 10
Atlanta, GA: Taste of Atlanta - Oct. 10-11
Port Angeles, WA: Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival - Oct. 10-11
Alexandria, VA: Old Town Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 10-11
Boston, MA: Share Our Strength's A Tasteful Pursuit Dinner - Oct. 13
San Francisco, CA: Wine and Spirits Magazine Top 100 Tasting - Oct. 14

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Aug. 25-Sept. 1, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:30:03 -0700

Hoping to squeeze in a few more food festivals while Summer's still going strong? This week's the opportune time, whether you want to learn how to make your own pit barbecue and ice cream - or simply want to enjoy an assortment of top microbrews. I think this weekend's Epicurean Classic would be a fitting way to enjoy Michigan's gorgeous weather - and I'm pretty stoked by the prospect of attending Oakland's first-ever Eat Real Festival. Where will you be this week? Let us know.

Vail, CO: Taste of the Nation Vail - Aug. 27
Dallas, TX: RCA Pit BBQ Education Event - Aug. 27
Winterville, NC: Winterville Watermelon Festival - Aug. 27-29
Gueydan, LA: Gueydan Duck Festival - Aug. 27-30
Urbana, IL: Urbana Sweet Corn Festival - Aug. 28-29
Barnesville, MN: Potato Days - Aug. 28-29
Oakland, CA: Eat Real Festival - Aug. 28-30
St. Joseph, MI: Epicurean Classic - Aug. 28-30
Traverse City, MI: Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival - Aug. 29
Providence, RI: Savor Providence - Aug. 29
Los Angeles, CA: Lean Times, Green Times - Aug. 29
Wells, ME: Wells Chili Fest - Aug. 29

To see the rest, read more.

Orlando, FL: Taste of the Nation Orlando - Aug. 29
Yorkville, CA: Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival - Aug. 29
Eagle River, WI: Festival of Flavors - Aug. 29-30
San Jose, CA: Italian Family Festa - Aug. 29-30
Bodega, CA: Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival - Aug. 29-30
Dallas, TX: Share Our Strength, a Tasteful Pursuit Hosted by Stephan Pyles - Aug. 30
Tucker, GA: Slow Food Summer Harvest - Aug. 30
St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Cooks! - Sept. 1
New York, NY: Slow U: Ice Cream, from Sugar and Snow - Sept. 1

Source: Flickr User farlane

Noteworthy Nibbles - Apr. 21-28, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 14:00:24 -0700

If you thought last week was jam-packed with food events, then get excited for this week, as the festivals just get better. If I could teleport myself around the world, there's no question I'd hit up the nation's celebrations, from pickles to pie to asparagus to spam.

We will, however, be supporting the cause to end childhood hunger at Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation series (if you're signed up to go to the San Francisco event, perhaps we'll see you there!). If you know of any other events we've left off the list, chime in below!

Dallas, TX: Dallas Wine & Food Festival - Apr. 22-26
Beaufort, NC: Beaufort Wine & Food weekend - Apr. 22-26
Sugarland, TX: The Grand Wine & Food Affair - Apr. 22-26
San Francisco, CA: Taste of the Nation San Francisco - Apr. 23
New Haven, CT: Taste of the Nation New Haven - Apr. 23
Wilmington, DE: Taste of the Nation Wilmington - Apr. 23
Mount Olive, NC: North Carolina Pickle Festival - Apr. 24-25
Stockton, CA: Asparagus Festival - Apr. 24-26
Pompano Beach, FL: Pompano Beach Seafood Festival - Apr. 24-26
Waikiki, HI: Waikiki Spam Jam - Apr. 25
La Crosse, WI: Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine & Cheese Festival - Apr. 25
Celebration, FL: Great American Pie Festival - Apr. 25

To see the rest, read more.

San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Beer Festival - Apr. 25
Vidalia, GA: Vidalia Onion Festival - Apr. 25-26
Maui, HI: Taro Festival - Apr. 25-26
Branson, MO: Missouri Wine Fest - Apr. 25-26
South Pittsburg, TN: National Cornbread Festival - Apr. 25-26
Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh Wine Festival - Apr. 25-30
Toledo, OH: Taste of the Nation Toledo - Apr. 26
Portland, OR: Taste of the Nation Portland - Apr. 27
Worcester, MA: Taste of the Nation Worcester - Apr. 27

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Mar. 24-31, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:40 -0700

Spring is in the air, and that's evident with the number of fun food events going on this week that pay homage to everything from rum to crawfish.

We can't wait to taste our way through the year's best wines at Wine Enthusiast's annual Toast of the Town, and taste tequila cocktails made by SF's top mixologists at the Nirvino Mixology Contest.

What events will you be eating your way through this week?

Seattle, WA: StarChefs Rising Stars Revue - Mar. 24
Coral Gables, FL: Coral Gables Wine & Food Festival - Mar. 26
San Francisco, CA: Wine Enthusiast Toast of the Town - Mar. 26
Tampa Bay, FL: International Rum Festival - Mar. 26-28
Chalmette, LA: Louisiana Crawfish Festival - Mar. 26-29
Lake Tahoe, CA: Winter & Wine Fest - Mar. 26-29
West Palm Beach, FL: Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show - Mar. 26-29

To see the rest, read more.

Hammond, LA: Smokin' Blues & BBQ Challenge - Mar. 27-28
Lodi, CA: Lodi Spring Wine Show - Mar. 27-28
Uniondale, NY: Spring Craft Beer Festival - Mar. 28
Rutherford, CA: Napa Valley Mustard Festival Grand Finale Event - Mar. 28
Miami, FL: Deering Seafood Festival - Mar. 29
New York, NY: Friends of James Beard Benefit - Mar. 29
Miami, FL: Deering Seafood Festival - Mar. 29
Washington, DC: Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation DC - Mar. 30
San Francisco, CA: Nirvino Mixology Contest - Mar. 31

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