Each year, the March of Dimes holds Signature Chefs Auction events in cities across the country to raise money for research, community services and educational programs. In Syracuse, the event, known as “The Farmer and the Chef,” will be held Monday, March 20, 5:30 p.m., at the Pirro Convention Center, 800 S. State St.
Guests will sample farm-to-table food prepared by more than a dozen chefs, sip local beer, wine, hard cider and cocktails and bid on items donated by local businesses for both silent and live auctions.
Participating chefs include: Leland Avellino, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que; Matt Riddett, Empire Brewing Company; Eric Kieb, Mohegan Manor; Chris Kuhns, Sky Armory; Chance Bear, Lincklaen House; Dan Hudson, Sherwood Inn; Jeff Steigerwald, Liehs and Steigerwald; John Vigliotti, Peppino’s Neapolitan; Nathan Moore, Owera Vineyards; Tyler Dunlap, the Lodge at Welch Allyn; De Anna Germano, Chef 4 Rent; Richard “Flip” Taradejna, Copper Pig BBQ and Taproom (Auburn); Michael Sheets, the Gould Hotel (Seneca Falls); Michael Stagnaro, the Colgate Inn (Hamilton).
Chefs will work with ingredients from Daring Drake Farm, Ovid; Regional Access, Ithaca; Greyrock Farm CSA, Cazenovia; Fruit of the Fungi, Lebanon; Mento Produce, Syracuse; Fresh Herbs of Fabius; Bostrom Farms, Geneva; Lively Run Goat Dairy, Interlaken; and Owera Vineyards, Cazenovia.
One of the live auction packages offered this year is “A Dinosaur Smokehouse Experience” that includes a one-night stay at the Courtyard Marriott at Armory Square, complimentary valet parking, dinner for four at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que with head chef Leland Avellino, a private tour of the restaurant, a lesson on perfectly smoked meats and a signed copy of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse by John Stage and Nancy Radke.
Tickets for the Farmer and the Chef cost $100. For more information, call Julianne Allman at (315) 679-5034 or email [email protected]. To purchase tickets online, visit signaturechef.marchofdimes.org.
Cafe Kubal Opens Sixth Venue
For residents of the new Fayette Place luxury apartments on the near east side of Syracuse, waking up and smelling the coffee is one of the amenities.
Locally owned coffee roaster Cafe Kubal, which recently marked 10 years in business, opened its sixth location on the ground floor of the funky new apartment building at 712 E. Fayette St. last month. 712 Kubal has all the standard coffeehouse offerings: pourovers, espresso, cappuccino, latte, teas and more. It’s sleek and spacious, with tall windows facing Fayette Street and lots of natural light.
712 Kubal is across the street from Flame and a short walk from the Center of Excellence. Visit cafekubal.com for information.
Margaret McCormick is a freelance writer and editor in Syracuse. She blogs about food at eatfirst.typepad.com. Follow her on Twitter, connect on Facebook or email her at [email protected].