Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Bake Sale

Saturday, April 12th, 2014
2 – 5 pm

4031 Sneed Road
Nashville, TN 37215

Recently my fellow food blogger, Amanda over at High Heels to Hot Wheels, asked me if Archer and I would like to participate in a bake sale she was putting together to raise money for kids’ cancer. The mission is, of course, to raise money as well as awareness, but also to teach our children about the importance of giving back. Really, how could I say no to that? So my ‘little cookie’ and I will be baking up goodies this week to sell on Saturday at Amanda’s house in Green Hills. There will be giveaways and fun activities planned for the kiddos, so please come by and see us!

Iron Fork

Wednesday, April 16th, 2014
6 – 9:30 pm

Commodore Ballroom at Vanderbilt University
310 25th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37240

Cost: $45

(Must be 21 years or older to attend)

It’s that time of year again! Who will win the coveted golden fork? The lineup of chefs for this year’s Iron Fork competition is stiff: Matt Bolus from The 404 Kitchen, Hal Holden-Bache from Lockeland Table, Kristen Gregory from Firefly Grille and Chris Carter & James Peisker from Porter Road Butcher.

If you’ve never been to this culinary event before, here’s how it works: each chef has 1 hour to prepare plates for a panel of judges based on a secret ingredient. Last year I was fortunate enough to be on that judging panel and Jessica Benefiled (then of Virago, now of Two Ten Jack) wowed us with her maple syrup skills. While it’s fun to watch the heated action in the kitchen, you’ll definitely want to stroll around the perimeter of the room nibbling on cuisine and sipping cocktails from some of Nashville’s best restaurants.

Visit the event site to purchase tickets now.

McCabe Pub Crawfish Boil

Saturday, April 19th, 2014
3 – 8 pm

McCabe Pub
4410 Murphy Rd
Nashville, TN 37209

Cost: $30

I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I’m looking for an excuse to spend time outside every single day. I’m so excited that outdoor events are starting to show up on my calendar, and one of the first ones this month is a crawfish boil for a good cause.

McCabe Pub will host its second annual crawfish boil benefiting the LAM Foundation, an organization that seeks a cure for lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare lung disease that McCabe’s co-owner, Stefanie Dean Brown, was diagnosed with in 2010.  The $30 ticket to the event includes all-you-can-eat crawfish, 3 drink tickets, live music and other entertainment.  Tickets are available online at www.mccabepub.com, and will also be available at the door on event day, cash or check only.

Bounty & Barrel: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Dinner

with Deb Paquette and Maneet Chauhan

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014
6:30 – 9:30 pm

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
222 5th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37203

Cost: $150/person

(Must be 21 years or older to attend)

Probably one of the most exciting dinners this month (at least to me) is one that is part of the five market Bounty & Barrel dinner series presented by Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. Food Network Chopped’s Maneet Chauhan and one of my favorite Nashville chefs, Deb Paquette of Etch, are teaming up to create a five course dinner with cocktail pairings to benefit Mending Limbs, an organization that raises awareness for adequate prosthetic coverage and assists amputees financially.

There is limited number of tickets available for this one, so you better hurry and purchase now before they’re all gone! Click here to purchase and learn more about the event.

Vous et Moi Pop Up Dinner

Friday, April 25th, 2014
6 – 9:30 pm

Secret Location to be announced 24 hours prior to event

Cost: $80

Chef Tiffani Rozier, a chef and culinary coach that can often be found teaching classes at the Nashville Farmers Market, will be hosting her first pop up dinner this month at a top secret location. The family-style feast will feature a French menu of five courses with wine pairings, and as you can see for yourself below, it looks delicious! Grab your tickets at the event site.

Vous et Moi Menu:

Salade

Salade Lyonnaise
A salad of bitter, woody frisee tossed with smoky lardon and topped with a rich, silky poached egg

Salade de Lentilles à la Lyonnaise
Classic bistro food from the Lyon region of France, warm Lentils du Puy, served with potatoes, Lyon sausage, dressed with a light vinaigrette

Charcuterie Board
Plateau de charcuterie du Lyon Rosette de Lyon – Poulet pâté de foie – Pâté en croute – Rillette du Canard – Cervelas de Lyon – Saucisson Sec de Canard

Entree

Quenelle de le Mérou, sauce Nantua
Light, airy, fish dumplings in a rich crayfish sauce

Bavette à l’échalote
Pan fried skirt steak with sauteed shallots and red wine

Aile de raie aux câpres
Skate wing poached in court bouillon finished with capers and a brown butter sauce

Haricots Verts a la Lyonnaise
French green beans sautéed in butter and onion finished with fresh parsley

Plateau de fromages

Cheese Plate
Assorted local and French cheeses | Pate de Fruit
Local Honey | Toasted baguette

Dessert
A custom box of locally made French desserts from Dozen Bakery and Sweet Darling Patisserie

Market Takeover

Saturday, April 26th, 2014

Nashville Famers’ Market
900 Rosa L Parks Blvd
Nashville, TN 37208

Details are still coming together on this one, but it sounds like it’s going to be an awesome event so go ahead and block off your day! A “Market Takeover” is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at the Nashville Farmers Market.  There will be 15-20 food trucks on site, music, a contest with a ‘secret ingredient’ component, food bloggers, and other fun stuff! Stay tuned for more….