Wine & Dine Raises Record Breaking Funds for the Arts!

The 2013 Albany Chef's Food Fest: Wine and Dine for the Arts Festival broke all previous records by raising more than a $100,000 for the first time in it's four year history according to the Business Review. The article also states that Wine and Dine had a 151% increase in fundraising over the 2012 final tally of $86,000.

The overall years earnings of $121,495 will go to benefit the Albany Barn, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Albany Center Gallery, Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany Pro Musica, Capital Repertory Theatre, Irish-American Heritage Museum, and Park Playhouse.

The annual weekend event was held at the Hotel Albany (formerly the Crown Plaza soon to be renamed Hilton Albany) from January 17-19, 2013. Click here to read the entire Business Review Article.

The Desmond’s Scrimshaw Restaurant Awarded Prestigious Honors

The Desmond has reason to celebrate as one of its restaurants, Scrimshaw, has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Rating for a fourth year in a row.

The Desmond announced the teaming up of Chef de Cuisine Stephen Fratianni and Frank Rivera, Sommelier and Director of Restaurants, to combine classic favorites with unique new menu offerings; including select table-side preparations to create memorable and one of a kind fine dining experiences.  

“Scrimshaw has always been recognized as a restaurant that exceeds its guest’s expectations in terms of quality and service,” stated Frank Rivera.  “We are truly proud that the hard work and commitment to excellence of our Service and Culinary teams has earned Scrimshaw the AAA Four Diamond Award for a fourth consecutive year.”

According to the press release: "AAA’s Diamond Rating System is the only rating system that covers all of North America, and is one of only two that conducts on-site evaluations.  Information about AAA Diamond Ratings and the complete 2013 Diamonds Award winners list is accessible at:  http://media.aaachicago.com/images/9059/20134DRestaurants.pdf  "

Scrimshaw has more reason to celebrate. The restaurant recently received both the American Culinary Federation Achievement of Excellence Award and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Scrimshaw at The Desmond is open Wednesday through Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 518-869-8100 by booking them online at www.desmondhotelsalbany.com .

Life is a Cabaret at Taste!

Enjoy a delicious meal from the Winter Menu at Taste tomorrow, Tuesday, February 26 and have a chance to win tickets to a cabaret! The contests will run from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.

You may win a ticket to the Ruby Cabaret when you sip a "Ruby Sipper" or any other cocktail. Here's how the contest goes: Each person will receive an envelope. Some will contain gift certificates and others will have a ticket to the cabaret on March 2. You can also purchase Ruby Cabaret Tickets at taste on Tuesday evening.




Just for this blustery blue season Taste will also offer a Winter 2013 Specialty Cocktail Menu including such drinks as Maple Chi Manhattan, Hot Cider, and Apple Jack Martini. The entire Winter Cocktails Menu is available online.

For more information on the Ruby Cabaret be sure to go to: www.eba-arts.org.

Culinary Craft Beer Dinner to Raise Money for a Good Cause

According to a recent press release: "On Thursday, March 14th , 2013 Michelle Hines Abram will kick off a series of extraordinary culinary dinners to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man & Woman of the Year Campaign. This dinner will be a beer-centric event with craft beer by Brewery Ommegang and food pairings by a team of renowned chefs. The event will be hosted at Angelo’s Prime Bar + Grill in Clifton Park at 6pm in the evening and will include a 5 course dinner with beer pairings. Tickets for the dinner will be $75 per person and will be available for purchase [online] beginning on March 1st."

Participating Chef's will include Teddy Folkman of Brewery Ommegang and Ric Orlando of New World Bistro Bar, among others. Abrams will also put on a chef's apron for the event.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's "Man & Woman of the Year" titles are given to people who work raise funds for blood cancer research. Candidates compete in honor of the Boy & Girl of the Year, whom are local children that are blood cancer survivors.

Voting for Man and Woman of the year runs for ten weeks and each dollar is counted as a single vote, the top fundraisers in the country win the national titles. Michelle is among the many competing nationally for a good cause.

According to the Michelle Hines Abram 2013 Candidate for LLS Woman of the Year Facebook Page several other events are in the works including a Scotch Dinner and Gala.

St. Sophia's to Offer Greek Cooking Course

In Upstate New York the name St. Sophia's Church is synonymous with Greek Fest and Souvlaki Fest, two of the most anticipated annual food festivals in the area. Now St. Sophia's is offering the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade to create popular meals many look forward to enjoying at the festivals.

The annual Greek Cooking Class will be held Sunday, March 10 from 4pm to 7pm. Food Demonstrations will be offered by Angelo Bousbouras of East Greenbush Diner Catering, among others. Recipies offered will include Greek Dips, Greek Salad, Spanakopitam Pasitchio, Baklava, as well as Rice Pudding.

The night will offer both dinner and a show as the church youth will perform Greek folk dancing. The course will be held in the St. Sophia Banquet Room. Admission is $30 per person with reservations required with the proceeds benefiting charitable programs that the Philoptochos Society of St. Sophia's Greek Church work with.