Thursday is a big night this week, with several great events. How will you choose? Here’s the dope.
Down on the Farm
Chefs need farmers. We need chefs. And everyone needs to have fun once in awhile. The funnest (yes, we said funnest) dining event on the horizon this week? The Farmer and the Chef, to benefit the March of Dimes, happens Sept. 15 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. Taste what happens when local chefs go to work with all locally sourced food. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet celebrity chef Joseph Poon of Philly’s Chinatown (you can’t miss him in the local media), and there will be a concert by Delaware’s own Chuck Wicks, a former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant whose “Stealing Cinderella” was a top 5 country hit in 2008. (Not that we’d let that upstage two shows by local faves Club Phred).
Who’s coming? The list of about 50 chefs includes Sean McNeice of Chelsea Tavern, Amporn Vasquez of Pizza by Elizabeths, Keith Miller of the Hotel du Pont, Robert Lhulier of The University & Whist Club, Matthew Curtis of Union City Grille, Robbie Jester of Piccolina Toscana, Dennis Marcoux of Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats, and Ryan Cunningham of Abbott’s Grill.
As for farms, you’ll find Ramsey’s Farm of Wilmington, Magee Farms of Selbyville, Highland Orchards of North Wilmington, Fifer Orchards of Wyoming, Filasky’s Produce of Middletown, Phillips Mushrooms of Kennett, Milburn Orchards of Elkton, SIW Vegetables of Chadds Ford and more.
Who else will be there? You, we hope. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door. Call 225-2010, or visit marchofdimes.com/Delaware.
Happy Anniversary
We were glad to see the return of Brandywine Brewing Company as BBC Tavern and Grill. It’s hard to believe it’s been two years. That means time to celebrate. Dave Dietz and his crew are throwing down on Sept. 15 with special prices on drinks ($2 Miller Lite drafts and $5 cosmos and glasses of Pinot Grigio all night) as they unveil a new farm-to-table menu with artisinal cheeses and locally sourced meat, fish and produce. (The official release says “in addition to old favorites,” so the DI hopes those delicious crab cake sandwiches remain.) Eric Levy of Buffalo Medicine will start playing the tunes at 9 p.m. If you’re in Greenville, stop in.
Also on Sept. 15, Bella Vista Trattoria will host a special wine dinner to benefit the Cancer Support Community, Delaware (you may know it better as the former Wellness Community). Just take a gander at this menu: bruschetta and ortolano spaghetti pie paired with Cambria Chardonnay, followed by orecchiette pasta tossed with prosciutto-studded cauliflower sauce paired with La Crema Pinot Noir, with a main course of chicken breast in sun-dried tomato pesto sauce with three cheese risotto, which you’ll enjoy with Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon. Southern Wine and Spirits will handle the vino. The fun starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $65. Call quickly—239-4858. Seating is limited. Bella Vista is at 5337B Limestone Road in Wilmington. Visit bellavistatrattoria.com.
Now You’re Cookin’
Fans of the Hotel du Pont, put this one on your calendar: Cooking class with executive sous chef David Lattomus, who will show you how to turn local produce into a classic meal. You’ll graduate by preparing a three-course meal under the chef’s watchful eye. Enroll now for the Sept. 22 session. Cost is $69. Call 594-3154.
