Northwest Grillfest

[heyjude]

I was a part of last Thursday's Northwest Grillfest held on the Rainier Tower roof garden. This is an annual event held to promote literacy. The food was all cooked on Weber grills, a $3000 one of which was raffled. The chef's, all of whom have published a cookbook in the last year, produced some wonderful dishes. They were supported by students from the Art Institute culinary program. The Grilled Peaches with Fresh Cherry Sauce were heavenly. Watch for this event next year and this coming Oct. 19th and 20th attend Northwest Bookfest at Sandpoint. There will be at least 10 cooking demos or panel discussions. Call 206 378-1883 if you'd like to volunteer.

[mamster]

I was there too, in a volunteer capacity; mostly this involved walking around and saying, "Everything going okay here? Good!" and then eating more food.

The Menu is online. The smash hit was Marilyn Tausend's grilled pork ribs with a spicy glaze (pulpier than your typically barbecue sauce, in a good way), and I also quite enjoyed the Ravishing Radish's flank steak salad. heyjude is right about that grilled peach dessert: a well-balanced palette of flavors and textures.

I'm not sure how much I would have enjoyed it at full price ($130 per couple), but you do get to schmooze with the chefs. I like Seattle because even I, the world's lousiest schmoozer, felt plenty schmoozeworthy.

[Blue Heron]

Yummy menu they served at Grillfest, and a good cause, too. Was it a good turnout (I hope)?

Thanks for the heads up about Northwest Bookfest, too. Have you heard of any other chef's yet besides Alton Brown who will be there?

That same weekend (Oct. 19-20) is also when The Seattle Mycological Society is holding their big yearly Fall Mushroom show at Sandpoint Magnuson Park... also with cooking demos. Mr. Heron is volunteering at that show in some capacity this year. Admission is $7, and $5 for students & seniors.

[mamster]

Well, heck, I'd rather eat some mushrooms than read a book.

Let's see. We're putting together a food science panel and already have Alton and Robert Wolke, author of What Einstein Told His Cook and columnist for the Washington Post. I'm also trying to get Russ Parsons for that panel (Russ, are you reading this?).

heyjude, who else is confirmed?

It was a great turnout at Grillfest--I think we were hoping for and got 400 people, but I don't know if that includes the numerous volunteers.

[Blue Heron]

Well, heck, I'd rather eat some mushrooms than read a book.

It seems like since they being held in the same general location one can sneak back and forth to both!

[tsquare]

I liked the sturgeon and the chicken salad with grilled shitake mushrooms best at Grillfest. Not to mention the beer. And the cheese from SlowFood. (ah, Amsters - now you can guess who I am!)

I wonder how many crossovers there are between egullet and SlowFood?

Re: Bookfest - there are always alot of Sasquash Publishing cookbooks for sale at half off, also "remainders" from University Bookstore and others. Great way to stock up on presents and splurge on the big picture books. Plus, the cooking panels are usually interesting. With the new location and limited utilities, that may not be happening this year? But at least they won't be limited to convention center caterers for snacks.

[mamster]

Oh, I forgot about the sturgeon--that was fabulous. Those Ten Speed Press posters are always cheap at Bookfest, too--$10, I think. Don't worry--there will be eight cooking demonstrations and two cooking-related panels this year, including one with Alton Brown.

tsquare, are you Charles from SlowFood? Or am I way off?

[tsquare]

mamster-

waaay off. But pleased that you would think I am that dedicated a foodist.