Prominent Chefs And Over A Dozen Businesses Kick-Off Portland Food Adventures Series
September 7, 2010
THREE PROMINENT PORTLAND CHEFS AND OVER A DOZEN FOOD AND DRINK-BASED BUSINESSES KICK-OFF UNIQUE CHEF’S CHOICE PORTLAND FOOD ADVENTURES SERIES
The first three in a series of exciting food-based experiences in Portland will be hosted by Cathy Whims of Nostrana, Scott Dolich of Park Kitchen and Jason French of Ned Ludd. Chef’s Choice Portland Food Adventures allow diners the unique opportunity to interact with their favorite chefs and even join them off site at their favorite food and drink based businesses.
These unique events are produced by the restaurants and the Portland Food Adventures division of FirstStar Communications, a Portland-area based marketing company. “There are so many resources available for exploring the food culture in Portland. It appeared to me that the best sources for this information would be our best chefs. That’s the impetus behind Chef’s Choice Portland Food Adventures. Letting these incredible professionals express their creativity not only through their cooking, but their relationships and their extensive knowledge of Portland’s food economy,” said Chris Angelus, who developed the “chef’s choice” concept and presented it to some of his favorite chefs.
The limited-seating events start with special multi-course dinners that go deep into the respective restaurants’ menus, along with optional wine pairings. Chefs will interact with their customers, discussing why they love the Portland food culture. During the dinner, the chef will make specific recommendations for special items at places they like to visit, and patrons will be given approximately $50 worth of coupons to go try the chef’s recommendations at their leisure. Chefs will also announce future dates where they can join them for behind-the-scenes looks at places like Cheese Bar for cheese and chocolate by Xocolatl de David, see the roasting operation at Heart Roasters, imbibe at Bar Avignon, or even sample Spanish wines at Patanegra. Some of the other businesses for which coupons will be distributed are Pine State Biscuits, Meat Cheese Bread, food carts like The People’s Pig or Perierra Creperie and Whiffie Pies.
“I love this idea because it goes to the very core of the collaborative culture that is so unique to Portland, and what makes it work so well. In this socially networked world, these adventures are fun ways to connect the dots between the many artisans who at some point in their careers worked together but at this point in time are passionately producing specific specialties in our own ways,” said Jason French of Ned Ludd.
The first of the 2010 series kicks off at Nostrana at 7pm on September 29th, followed up by two October events–Park Kitchen on Wednesday, October 13, and then Ned Ludd on Wedneday, October 20th.
Information, schedules and tickets are available at www.portlandfoodadventures.com
ABOUT NOSTRANA AND CATHY WHIMS
Nostrana, a high-concept restaurant serving in Southeast Portland, opened its doors with former Genoa chef Cathy Whims at the helm in 2005. It continues to be Portland’s go-to venue for farm-fresh Italian fare, from pasta dishes, excellent wines, to brick-oven specialty pizzas.
ABOUT PARK KITCHEN AND SCOTT DOLICH
Park Kitchen, a Portland landmark in Portland’s park blocks, was opened by experienced and renowned chef Scott Dolich in 2003. The restaurant expresses his love of cooking and respect for the integrity of local ingredients in a menu that is reflective of the changing seasons.
ABOUT NED LUDD AND JASON FRENCH
Opening Ned Ludd with Ben Meyer in December of 2008, Jason French is inspired by regional food ways, his family, the weather and Oregonʼs committed and passionate food artisans. Nedd Ludd is unique in Portland having a wood-fired oven as its sole cooking source, using only produce and proteins sourced locally.
ABOUT FIRSTSTAR COMMUNICATIONS
FirstStar Communications, LLC, founded in 1997, is a marketing communications firm catering to the needs of small to medium sized businesses across the USA. Its experience ranges from developing advertising programs for national and local financial and automotive clients to consulting with the Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association as their agency for the Portland International Auto Show.