Dinner in the Dark: A Benefit for VeggieU

I don't have time to do a full post on this awesome event, but I wanted to make sure you all heard about the latest great idea from the great chefs in Cleveland.

Dinner in the Dark will be a once-a-month dining event in which local chefs will cook a no holds barred, anything goes, "open mic, jam session for chefs" that will benefit the chef's charities of choice. For the first Dinner in the Dark, Chef Jeff Jarrett (North End, Hudson), Chef Brian Okin (Verve Restaurant, Cleveland), and Chef Ellis Cooley (AMP150, Cleveland) will prepare you a 'mystery' dining experience and all proceeds will support VeggieU.

What: Dinner in the Dark
Where: Verve Restaurant, 1332 Carnegie Ave
When: October 11th at 7pm
How: Tickets $50 call 216-664-5500

I am really bummed that work will prevent me from being able to attend the first Dinner in the Dark but I definitely hope to attend one soon. If you go, please let me know all the details and feel free to rub in how good it was!

Eat Local Challenge

Did you know it's Local Food Week in Cleveland?

 
Local Food Week is being put on by Local Food Cleveland, an action network for everyone who is passionate about growing a thriving local food economy and culture around Cleveland. It includes a lot of great events including farm tours, movies, potlucks and restaurant dinners just to name a few.

I try to support our local restaurants and farmers everyday. If you've been reading my blog from the beginning you probably know I buy most of my meat & produce from local farmers markets, auctions or directly from the farmers. What I can't get from farms, I buy from Heinen's, a local grocer that also happens to sell a lot of local products. Whether I'm in Cleveland or traveling for work, I always try to seek out restaurants with farm to table menus. One of the goals of my blog is to encourage all of you to do the same!

I encourage you all to take the Local Foods Week "Eat Local Challenge":

1. Eat at least one local meal each day of the week and post photos and recipes on Local Food Cleveland
2. Attend at least one Local Foods Week event
3. Support your local farmers markets, restaurants and retail shops

Looking for more ideas how you can participate in addition to these events? Mike over at Dad Cooks Dinner gave a bunch of suggestions of how he will be "competing" in the Eat Local Challenge.

How will you bring home the gold medal in the Eat Local Challenge?

GIVEAWAY: 13th Annual L’AMOUR DU VIN, A Premier Wine and Food Event

You might remember back in April I gave away tickets to the annual Silver Spoon awards in support of the Arthritis Foundation. More than 40 million people in the US have some form of arthritis, and many have chronic pain that limits daily activity. Rheumatoid arthritis, the most disabling form of arthritis, affects more than 2 million people in the US. Multiple people in my family are severely affected by arthritis so this is a cause that hits close to my heart, and my joints!

With that being said, I'm happy to tell you about the latest fundraising effort by the NE Ohio chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. On Thursday, October 7, 2010 they are hosting the 13th Annual L’Amour du Vin, a Premier Wine and Food Event at the Avon Oaks Country Club. The event with feature a sampling of fine wines and cuisine provided by 14 westside eateries.

There are three ways to get tickets:

1. Order them online
2. Call (800) 245-2275, ext 100 
3. Enter to win a free pair of tickets on my blog! See how to enter at the end of this post

The highlight of the event is definitely the VIP Lounge featuring martini pairings by Chef Ellis Cooley from AMP 150. If you haven't tried Chef Cooley's food yet, you are missing out. He is doing huge things in the Cleveland culinary scene and this will be an amazing opportunity to meet him and sample his delicious food. The event also includes a unique silent auction, live music and the opportunity to win fabulous prizes.

In addition to AMP 150, other restaurants participating include:

    * 87 West at Crocker Park (Nice wine bar)
    * Avon Oaks Country Club
    * Cabot Cheese
    * Catherine's Chocolates (AMAZING CHOCOLATES!!!)
    * Flavor the Town
    * The Good Fork (I've heard great things)
    * Jake's on the Lake/Savannah Bar & Grill
    * Kiedrowski's Simply Delicious Bakery
    * Legacy Restaurant & Grille
    * Red Gables Mesquite Grill (Check out their website - looks like a great plac)
    * Moosehead Grill
    * Oberlin Inn
    * Whistlestop Restaurant


Event proceeds will support the mission of the Arthritis Foundation:  to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.


Blocks of tickets and sponsorship packages are also available. Business/cocktail attire suggested.

There are four ways to enter to win tickets here on my blog:

1. Leave a comment telling me about your favorite local farm or farmers market
2. Become a "fan" of Live to Cook at Home on Facebook and post the giveaway on your wall
3. Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway
4. Sign up to receive new posts via email using the form on the top right of this page

Be sure to leave a comment for each entry and leave your email address in the comment so I know how to get a hold of you. Good luck and thanks for supporting the Arthritis Foundation!