Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Invited by a friend for my birthday, I’ll gladly be attending and reporting about the farm to table gourmet tastes prepared by celebrity chefs at Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation at Montage Laguna.  I’m ready to sip on wine, watch the sun set over the ocean, listen to live music, and bid on “fabulous” auction items to help end childhood hunger.  Eat so all may eat.

Pictured ingredients are from another Share Our Strength event — See you in Laguna.

Share Our Strength’s goal is to END childhood hunger in America.  That’s important!  Children shouldn’t have to live hungry.  When you’re hungry it’s hard to concentrate on anything else.  SOS raises money to feed ALL of America’s children.

One GREAT way to donate to Share Our Strength is to attend one of the “A Tasteful Pursuit” dinners, which will be taking place in a different city each month throughout the year.  Save up and buy a ticket.  It’s an evening with some of the country’s TOP CHEFS, amazing cuisine, and the opportunity to bid on fabulous auction items.  It’s a win-win.

Foodbuzz is sending (1 – 2) Featured Publisher Correspondents to report about each city.  I’ve submitted a proposal to (hopefully) be one of them.  Buzz me up on the bottom link below.  Also linked is Share Our Strength’s website and more about the A Tasteful Pursuit events taking place between January – November 2009.

Related Links:

http://www.strength.org/

http://www.strength.org/a_tasteful_pursuit/

http://www.foodbuzz.com/blogs/us/california/costa_mesa/744411-it-s-all-about-the-food-for-others–

In respect to Asian traditions, you’re encouraged to share dishes with friends and family — I read it on the Starfish Menu (created for sharing), and gladly did so.  Embrace the custom.

Starfish in Laguna Beach serves Asian Coastal Cuisine that’s best described here.

Its atmosphere is sexy and stylish, set for passion, desire, pleasure, romance and sensitivity. 

As well as energy, unity, strength, compassion, patience and heart, they hope — I see it.

It’s good for the eyes and soul — And so are the amazingly flavorful Korean Galbi Tacos.

We also had the Wagyu Banh Mi Sliders (above) and Starfish Baby Back Ribs (below).

Every dish packed a punch of flavor and the Ribs were fork tender, a must for my vote.

I love its light blue and red colors, and the back lit wall in the Bar area — It’s beautiful.

Starfish is an alluring find in the Aliso Creek Shopping Center, across from the Montage Resort.

And they also wish YOU luck, longevity, prosperity, happiness and wealth.

Che Loong Starfish — We appreciate the FOOD and well wishes.

CHEFS COOK TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN LAGUNA BEACH AND ACROSS AMERICA

Montage Laguna Beach will host 7th annual Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation® Laguna Beach event on June 8, 2014 at the oceanfront resort.  A handful of celebrity chefs are coming together to prepare fresh farm-to-table delicacies to further Share Our Strength’s mission to end childhood hunger in Orange County and across the nation. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon of delectable dishes, wine, signature cocktails, and picturesque panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean at Montage Laguna Beach.  In addition to fabulous food and drinks, the event will feature a silent and live auction and live entertainment by local band The Kalama Brothers.

As contributors to the charity, guests can choose between the following event packages: 

• Celebrity Chef Tasting 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $200 per person or at the door for $225 per person.

• VIP “Meet the Chefs” Reception 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Complete the night with VIP treatment and a sunset toast. Enjoy the Celebrity Chef Tasting followed by an after party to mingle with the chefs. Valet parking and post-event gifts are included. Tickets purchased in advance are $275 per person and $300 at the door.

Executive Chef Craig Strong of Studio, Montage Laguna Beach’s Signature Restaurant, will be joined by the following talented celebrity chefs:

• Chef Nina Compton – Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, FLA
• Chef Alan Greeley – The Golden Truffle, Costa Mesa, CA
• Chef Duff Goldman – Charm City Cakes, Los Angeles, CA
• Chef Brian Huskey – Picca, Mo-chica, Paiche, Los Angeles, CA
• Chef Lee Smith – Executive Pastry Chef, Montage Laguna Beach, CA
• Chef Alan Wong – Alan Wong’s Restaurant’s, Honolulu, HI

One in five children in this country struggles with hunger — The good news is that this is a solvable problem. The No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day by connecting them to nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and by teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals at home.

Since summer 2011, No Kid Hungry efforts to expand access to summer meals and school breakfast have helped connect kids to more than 34 million additional meals. The No Kid Hungry campaign is replicating that success around the country by working collaboratively with its partners to feed millions of American children.  In 2013, Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach raised over $200,000 which helps connect children in need with up to 2 million meals.

One hundred percent of ticket proceeds from Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach benefit the No Kid Hungry campaign, thanks to generous support from National Presenting Sponsor Sysco, National Sponsors American Express and Food Network, and local sponsors Montage Laguna Beach, Mangia Inc., Celebrity Cruises, Southern CA Gas Company, Epstein Becker Green, Orange County Restaurant Association, Congenial Spirits, Aqua Panna, Bread Artisan Bakery Inc. and Orange Coast Magazine. Local beneficiaries include Second Harvest Orange County Food Bank, Community Action Partnership of OC, Father Serra’s Food Pantry (@Mission San Juan Capistrano).

To purchase tickets for Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach visit http://ce.strength.org/events/taste-nation-laguna-beach.

About Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry^® Campaign

No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry^® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through Cooking Matters. This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Join them at NoKidHungry.org.

* Above re-printed from a Press Release with approval to use photograph.  Previous Taste of the Nation reports on Nibbles of Tidbits are linked here and here.  It’s an important fight!

Tickets aren’t cheap, but have immeasurable value.  We last attended in 2012.  For more information, see official Press Release below.  Photos were taken during last year’s event.

THE HOTTEST CHEFS COOK TO FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN ORANGE COUNTY AND ACROSS AMERICA — SOS’s Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach Hosts Annual Culinary Event.

Hot chefs, restaurants, and mixologists will gather for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^®, the city’s premier culinary benefit. Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach will raise critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength’s^® efforts to end childhood hunger in Orange County and across the nation. This year’s event will be held on June 2, 2013 at the beautiful Montage Laguna Beach from 4pm to 7pm, with a VIP reception beginning at 4pm.

More than 9 of Country’s finest chefs will participate in the gastronomic event. Along with Executive Chef Craig Strong, participating restaurants will include Lee Smith – Montage Laguna Beach, Lizzie Binder – San Francisco, Josiah Citrin-Mélisse – Los Angeles, Chris Crary – Santa Monica, Jenn Louis-Lincoln – Sunshine Tavern, Portland, Nick Roberts & Brooke Williamson – Hudson House/The Tripel, Los Angeles, Alan Wong – Alan Wong’s Restaurant, Honolulu. Guests will enjoy the finest foods paired with wines and cocktails.

In addition to fabulous food and drinks, the event will feature an auction of extraordinary items including, A Wine Preservation unit from Sub-Zero filled with wonderful wines from the Jackson family valued at over $2,500. Sub-Zero’s 315W Model is a built-in single-zone wine storage unit with a capacity of 26 (750 ml) bottles. At 15″ wide, this undercounter unit is perfect for those installations where space is an issue.

“We are thrilled once again to be back at the beautiful Montage and are grateful for their generous support and the support from our amazing celebrity chefs! Because of their generosity, 100% of our ticket sales will go to ensure No Kid Hungry is a reality in Orange County,” said Teresa Siriani Event Chair, Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach Area charities that will benefit from this year’s event include Community Action Partnership of Orange County and Second Harvest Orange County Food Bank. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $82.5 million, including more than $125,000 in Laguna Beach alone.

With more than 16 million children facing hunger in America (that’s almost one in five), and 200,000 in Orange County Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation is more vital than ever. The event raises funds to end childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Funds raised through Taste of the Nation events support No Kid Hungry^™, Share Our Strength’s campaign to end childhood hunger in America.

“An end to childhood hunger in the United States is within reach,” said Bill Shore, Founder and Executive Director of Share Our Strength. “With all the participants in Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach sharing their strength, we are creating more resources to help the children of Orange County and our great nation receive the nutritious food they need to live healthy, active lives.”

Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach is nationally sponsored by American Express, Sysco, Food Network, ONEHOPE Wine, Emmi Roth USA, Cavit Collection Wines, OpenTable and S. Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water. Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach is locally sponsored by Lexus, Celebrity Cruise, Orange Coast Magazine, Epstein Becker Green, Evans Family Foundation and ICG. One hundred percent of ticket sales support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger.

Tickets for Taste of the Nation Montage Laguna Beach are $150 for General Admission and $250 for VIP and can be purchased by calling 1-877-26-TASTE or visiting TasteOfTheNation.org.

About Taste of the Nation
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^® is the nation’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to making sure no kid grows up hungry. Each spring and summer, the nation’s hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion at nearly 40 events across the United States and Canada, with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to support Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry^® campaign to end childhood hunger. Taste of the Nation is nationally sponsored by American Express, Sysco, Food Network and in select markets by ONEHOPE Wine, Emmi Roth USA, Cavit Collection Wines, OpenTable and S. Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $82.5 million. To purchase tickets or to get involved, visit TasteOfTheNation.org.

About SHARE OUR STRENGTH’S NO KID HUNGRY CAMPAIGN
No child should grow up hungry in America, but one in five children struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign is ending childhood hunger in America by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. The No Kid Hungry campaign connects kids in need to effective nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaches low-income families to cook healthy, affordable meals through its Cooking Matters program. This work is accomplished through the No Kid Hungry network, made up of private citizens, public officials, nonprofits, business leaders and others providing innovative hunger solutions in their communities. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

Grilling Scallops with an ocean backdrop — It’s for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation at the Montage Laguna Beach, dedicated to making sure no kid in America grows up hungry.

There were familiar faces from Top Chef, Top Chef Masters and other popular local restaurants.

The event was staffed and serviced to the hilt — Welcoming and immediately clearing plates.

All was top notch — From the view to the never-ending, high quality food. 

Top Chef Masters Winner, Floyd’s Shrimp with Watermelon, Arugula and Mint was a favorite. 

Do you remember Jennifer from Top Chef Season 6?

She served a Duck Heart Salad — I tried it.  Check.  Thank you.  The end.

And there was a Salmon Roe Panna Cotta type dish — Tried it too and no can do.

Hey what’s that behind you?  Lo siento.

The longest line was for Alan Wong’s Short Ribs with Shrimp, deservingly so.

Tender, sauced-up, slow cooked Short Ribs topped with a sautéed Shrimp.

It was a lot of flavor in a beautiful, generous dish — Impressive.

Remember Michael from Top Chef 6 — He’s one of the two brothers I could never tell apart.

Okay, I really liked his “Cold Cuts” with a liquid nitrogen type of Horseradish Cheese, I think.

Until I learned it’s Tongue, and then slowed down on the Cold Cut party train.

Guests purchased keys to potentially unlock and take home displayed liquor towers.

The day was a bit overcast, but still picturesque.

Perfectly cooked Lamb Loin hand delivered by Montage Laguna Beach servers.

There was a silent and live auction to raise even more money for the important cause.

The Montage Laguna Beach grounds are exquisite.

Set up (below) for the VIP after party to meet the Chefs.

I feel I already met them, as each handed me their delicious dish — Sufficiently satisfied.

My silent auction bid landed me (2) Tickets to the Irvine Improv, $25 at The Cheesecake Factory and more.  I’m happy to contribute and partake.  I appreciate all my blessings.

Orange County Restaurant Week starts today — It’s the best time to dine out in the OC.

Its Launch Party at Newport Lexus was the perfect kick-off — Tasty bites at every turn.

Wine and song to entertain.

The Chocolate Raspberry Martini almost made me want a Lexus.

Pulled Pork Sliders from the House of Blues — Love it as a concert venue.

The Cupcakes were gone by the time we finished savory — Should’ve reserved one.

A special shout out goes to RA Sushi — We couldn’t get enough of their Shishito Peppers.

The Lobster Bisque offered by Scott’s Restaurant & Bar was one of our favorites.

And the Lobster Mac & Cheese from House of Big Fish may be the best I’ve ever had.

 The only thing to make for dinner this week are reservations, they say.  I think so too.

May need to go to Sundried Tomato to have this Chopped Salad (below) again.

I’ve appreciated Melissa’s Produce for years and have a story for another time.

Where are you dining this week?  Polenta with Pulled Pork (top) was from Cucina Enoteca.

Starfish and a couple others ran out of food early — Wasn’t fond of that, but went elsewhere.

An honorable mention goes to Slater’s 50/50 for their Vampire Dip — It’s Gar-Lick-Key, but oh so darn good, and what nice servers they had.  All was a good time.  Thanks!

After the Irvine Spectrum, the Cadillac Culinary Challenge Test Drive Event drives on.

As reported, I was one of five Food Blogger Judges at Cadillac’s Irvine stop.

As one lucky Judge, I got to taste the dishes prepared by Mary Sue Milliken and Yvon Goetz.

The event’s sponsors also include Share Our Strength, Bon Appétit and Epicurious.

Samples were delivered to the first two rows of the audience — Get to the next event early.

Halfway through Mary Sue’s sample the Judges were informed they’re to receive larger samples than the audience.  Wow, okay.  I quickly finished the small sample of Ceviche to prepare for the larger sample.  Happiness, because it was perfectly tangy and spicy.

And then tried Chef Yvon Goetz dish, Chili Lime Rubbed Hawaiian Mahi Mahi (above). 

Both dishes were impressive and the Mad Hungry Woman wrote more about ’em here.

Voting — Three of five Judges voted for Chef Yvon Goetz dish and two voted for Mary Sue’s.

Beautiful, fresh ingredients were used by both.

And the winner of this challenge was Chef Yvon Goetz.

I voted for Mary Sue’s Ceviche — It received the popular (audience) vote.  No losers here.

I like taking photos of other bloggers taking photos of FOOD.

Before, during and after the competition, some test drove Cadillacs — Love the Escalade.

What a terrific, well run event — Check the schedule to see if it’s heading towards you.

Can I just travel the country judging food competitions?  Thanks for the taste.