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Upcoming Events

The 3rd Annual Brewer's Plate Fundraiser

Once again, this craft beer and gourmet food showcase will match over 15 Philadelphia area craft breweries with over 15 Philadelphia area restaurants to create exquisite collaborative food/beer pairings. Chefs prepare two dishes, each to compliment a particular craft beer. Chefs serve their creations at stations alongside the master brewers who pour guests samples of the corresponding beer. Come enjoy unlimited tasting and sampling of these gourmet combinations during this three hour gastronomical extravaganza! Last year's event sold out in advance. Don't delay, purchase your tickets today!

When: Sunday, April 1st, 2007 (5:00pm - 8:00pm after market hours)
Where: Reading Terminal Market (center court)

The Brewers: Appalachian Brewing Company Climax Brewing Company Dogfish Head Beer Flying Fish Brewing Company General Lafayette Inn Independence Brew Pub Iron Hill Brewery Lancaster Brewing Co. Legacy Brewing Co. Manayunk Brewing Co. McKenzie Brew House Nodding Head Brewery Sly Fox Brewery Stoudt's Brewing Company Triumph Brewing Co. Troegs Brewing Company Victory Brewing Co. Yards Brewing Co.

The Restaurants: Abbaye Bar Ferdinand Cantina Los Caballitos Cosmic Catering Derek's Down Home Diner Fork General Lafayette Iron Hill James Restaurant Johnny Brenda's London Grill Ortlieb's Jazzhaus Paradiso Patou Rx Tria White Dog Café

The Brewer's Plate is Presented By:

Taylor Rental in Media
Things to rent for every event! Serving the Delaware Valley since 1976: Taylor is generously providing us with all our rental needs for this event. Having your own beer event or large social function? Taylor has an inflatable, portable pub that's right, a full size, inflatable pub. Give them a call to learn more: 610-566-6450.

Special Thanks to Our Locally Owned and Operated Sponsors:

• DiBruno Brothers: Providing an artisinal cheese spread in the Brew Masters' Lounge and more. Check out their two center city locations for an incredible selection of local and imported gourmet products
  
• Greater Philadelphia Tourism & Marketing Corporation: Learn about all our region has to offer on their interactive website!
• Steaz Organic Fair Trade Soda: Try one of Steaz's many delicious flavors of local organic, fair trade sodas and energy drinks. Who knew sustainability could taste so sweet?
• Bluecoat American Dry Gin: Be sure to taste this locally distilled, top shelf gin at the event
• John & Kira's Gourmet, Artisan Chocolates: Be sure to taste their delicious award winning chocolates at the event
• Sun & Earth Natural Cleaning Products: Pick up a product sample at the event and keep your Brewer's Plate shining!
• Eagles Peak Spring Water: Stay hydrated at the Brewer's Plate with Pennsylvania's own pure and refreshing spring water
• Independents Coffee Cooperative: Mugshots will be on hand representing this cooperative of 10 locally-owned fair trade coffee shops and serving family farmed java to send you on your way home
• The Energy Cooperative: The Brewer's Plate will be climate neutral event thanks to the Energy Coop. Join them today and start saving money and the planet!
• Reading Terminal Market: Our gracious hosts and venue for this event! If you've never been to the Market during regular hours, you will after attending our event. While you're there, stop by the Fair Food Farmstand
• Turtle Dove Folk Club: a harmonic synthesis of eclectic folk music, community gatherings and an enduring social activism ethos, all culminating in "Peace Through Music"
• Victory Brewing Company: Special thanks to Bill Covaleski, owner of Victory, for his vision and support. The format, name and logo for The Brewer’s Plate were all conceived by him. Bill was generous enough to hand over the event to the White Dog Café Foundation. It has become by far our most important fundraiser of the year. If you see Bill in the Brew Masters' Lounge, please thank him for making this event a reality.
• Special thanks also to Marnie Old, Sam Calgione of Dogfish Head and Carol Stoudt of Stoudt's Brewing for their contributions to the Brew Masters' Lounge.

Our Media Sponsors:

• Philadelphia Magazine
  
• Philadelphia City Paper

Ticket Options

Brew Masters' Lounge Pass (Limited number. Don't delay!): $100
[purchase tickets]

Includes:

• Unlimited sampling of 36 different gourmet dishes prepared by chefs from 18 restaurants and 36 different craft beers brewed by brew masters from 18 regional craft breweries.
• Larger Brew Masters' Lounge sampling glass
• Limited edition, reserve beers by Dogfish Head, Victory and Stoudt's not available at the main event
• Gourmet cuisine and artisan cheeses courtesy of DiBruno Brothers not available in the main event area. These cheeses will be paired with the reserve beers by the Emilio Mignucci, DiBruno Brothers owner and cheese expert.
• Exclusive access to the Beer Garden Lounge Area and Seating
• Meet renowned Brew Masters Bill Covaleski (Victory), Sam Calgione (Dogfish Head) and Carol Stoudt (Stoudt's)
• No lines upon entrance
• Gift Bag full of goodies, including copy of Philadelphia Zagat Guide
• All Access Brew Master badge
• The most memorable gastronomical experience of your life!

General Admission: $50
[purchase tickets]

Includes:

• Unlimited sampling of 36 different gourmet dishes prepared by chefs from 18 restaurants and 36 different craft beers brewed by brew masters from 18 regional craft breweries.
• Brewer's Plate sampling glass
• The most memorable gastronomical experience of your life!

Designated Driver Discount Ticket
[ to purchase tickets]

Includes:

• Unlimited sampling of 36 different gourmet dishes prepared by chefs from 18 restaurants.
• Warm fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing your friends and family will get home safely

This event will sell out. Don't delay, purchase your ticket today!

Must be 21 to attend. Young adults ages 13-20 will not be admitted. Sorry.
We discourage guests to bring children. Children under the age of 12 may be admitted on a case by case basis.
Contact Leah Rominger: 215-386-5211 x106;

Please drink responsibly. We strongly encourage you to use SEPTA, take a taxi or walk.

Past Events

1st Annual Local Food Expo

Where: Reading Terminal Market (Center Court)
When: Monday, September 25th, 2006

4:00-6:00 pm (open to public)
6:00-9:00 pm (industry only)

Cost: FREE!
What: The Expo is opened to the public to meet farmers, learn about their businesses, and sample or buy their products. This is a great opportunity to find out where in Philadelphia you can buy this fresh food on a regular basis. Learn about buying clubs, CSAs, Farmers Markets and what it means to Buy Fresh Buy Local!

For more information contact John Eshleman: 215-386-5211 x105;

“Industry Only” Networking (Chefs, Retailers, Farmers, Food Producers) from 6-9pm:

From 6-9 pm, the Reading Terminal will be closed to public participation but open for wholesale buyers, chefs, retailers and food professionals to meet farmers and food producers. The Local Food Expo brings farmers who direct wholesale together with potential customers, namely chefs and store owners in the Philadelphia area. This event gives both parties the opportunity to create business relationships. The result is more locally produced food in the Philadelphia marketplace. The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill will prepare samples provided by the farmers and food producers for the attendees of this portion of the Expo.

If you are a Chef, Restaurant Owner, Food Retailer, Farmer or Food Producer and would like to attend or participate, please contact, Expo Organizer, John Eshleman: 215-386-5211 x105;

September 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
CONTACT: John Eshleman
215-386-5211 x105,
Press Passes Available

FIRST ANNUAL LOCAL FOOD EXPO
BRINGING FARMERS AND FOOD BUYERS TOGETHER

PHILADELPHIA, PA- On Monday September 25th the general public, chefs, grocers and other food and beverage professionals are invited to the historic Reading Terminal Market to meet some of the region’s finest family farmers and food producers. Come taste the freshness of their products at the 1st Annual Local Food Expo presented by The White Dog Café Foundation’s Fair Food Project. What originally started three years ago as the Local Grower/Local Buyer Gathering has been so successful that the event has grown into a full-fledged expo. At the Expo the public will touch, taste and see the bounty of our region’s farms and chefs, and food industry professionals will establish personal relationships and talk business directly with farmers.
“The demand for local food is growing, and this is a unique opportunity for farmers and restaurants and shops to understand each others’ needs and develop new businesses partnerships,” said Ann Karlen, Fair Food director.

The expo will occur in two segments. Public Segment 4-6pm: From 4:00 to 6:00 pm, farmers will display their products, offer samples, and sell their food to the public in the center court of the Reading Terminal Market. These two hours will be a great opportunity for individuals to experience the tasty seasonal products of farmers from around Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware and learn more about the local farms that serve the Philadelphia area. In addition to seasonal produce such as heirloom tomatoes, apples, pears, and late season raspberries, other products available for sale and sampling may include organic and grass-fed meats, raw milk cheeses, jams and preserves, gourmet spicy pickles, gelato made with milk from local dairies and much more.
“Industry Only” Segment 6-9pm: Once Reading Terminal Market closes to the public at 6:00 pm, Fair Food will host wholesale buyers, namely chefs and storeowners, interested in buying directly from local farmers and value-added food producers. This portion will last until 9 pm.

Fair Food has partnered with the Restaurant School on Walnut Hill to prepare free sample plates of the seasonal food grown and produced by the farmers attending the event. Buyers will be able to taste the quality of the products while meeting the producers, potentially finding new items to feature on their menus or on their shelves.

Fair Food hosted its first Local Grower/Local Buyer event in 2004 with 12 farms and 5 buyers in attendance. Last March, the third gathering had grown to 30 farmers and producers and 45 buyers. In attendance were chefs from acclaimed restaurants including Striped Bass, Mercato, White Dog Cafe, Honey’s Sit n’ Eat and Southwark (see list below of Expo attendees confirmed so far)

With the addition of prepared food from the Restaurant School on Walnut Hill and the public portion of the expo, Fair Food expects the Local Food Expo to be even bigger and more successful than these past events. The Expo is one in a series of 12 upcoming Fair Food Project events and workshops designed to help farmers wholesale in the Philadelphia marketplace.

Since its inception Fair Food has helped over 70 regional family farmers sell their products to over 80 businesses in the Philadelphia area. In addition, Fair Food has purchased over $300,000 worth of local products from 70 family farmers in the last four years through the Fair Food Farmstand at the Reading Terminal. Due to popular demand for locally, sustainably produced food, the Farmstand has grown from a temporary to a permanent stall, open year-round, Wed.-Sat., 8am-6pm. Reading Terminal Market, has just announced that it will be opening Sundays starting October 15, 2006, and so will the Farmstand.

The Local Food Expo is part of the growing Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign and is also part of Farm Aid’s schedule of events (below) leading up to its concert in Camden on September 30th. Farm Aid will be on hand during the public component of the Expo to conduct a drawing for a free pair of concert tickets.

For a complete list of chefs, buyers and farmers attending this year’s Expo or to receive press passes, contact John Eshleman:
215-386-5211 x105,

Farmers and Producers (confirmed):

Beechwood Orchards
Philadelphia Distilling
Chilly Philly Ice Cream
Country Time Farm
Forrest Acres
Gilda's Biscotti
Helen's Pure Foods
Highfield Dairy
Lancaster Farm Fresh
King Fisher Dairy
Landisdale Farms
Margerum's Herbs
Misty Creek Goat Dairy
Natural Acres
Pennypack Farm
Pleasant Pastures
Rineer Family Farms
S & C Gourmet Pickles
Shellbark Hollow
Slow Rise Bakery
Summer's Salsa
Swiss Villa Dairy
Willow Creek
Woodland Produce
Riverview Farm
Zook's Organic
Pequea Valley Farm
Yards Brewery
Leidy's Inc.

Buyers (confirmed):

Abbracio
Alison at Blue Bell
Arrowroot Natural Foods
Barclay Prime
Azure
Bar Ferdinand
Cake
Chanterelles Catering
Coopermarket
DiBruno Bros.
Dock St.
Django
Fair Food Farmstand
Franklin Fountain
Friday Saturday Sunday
Geechie Girl
High Point Café
Homemade Goodies by Roz
Honey's Sit n' Eat
Infusion
James Restaurant
JD’s South Philly Ha Ha Hot Sauce
Joe Coffee Bar
Joshua's Natural Catering
LaSalle University
Latte Lounge
Lawrenceville School
London Grill
Mariposa
Martindale's Natural Market
Matyson
Melograno
Metropolitan Bakery
Natural Health
Patou/Bistro St. Tropez
Pumpkin
Savannah Soulfood Bar
Selene Wholefoods Coop
Southwark
The Cheese Company
Tria
Trio
White Dog Cafe
Weavers Way Coop
Wholefoods: South St.

Other Organizations (confirmed):

Farm Aid
Northeast Organic Farmers Association NJ
Food Trust
Farm to City
Slow Food
Applegate Farms

The Local Food Expo is part of Farm Aid Week:

FARM AID WEEK CELEBRATES GOOD FOOD FROM FAMILY FARMS

PHILADELPHIAFarm Aid will bring the energy of the good food movement to Philadelphia and Camden, NJ with a series of food and farm events beginning on Friday, September 22. Events will celebrate good food and help connect local residents with family farmers. Farm Aid’s week of activities will culminate on Saturday, September 30 at the Tweeter Center at the Waterfront in Camden, NJ with the annual benefit concert, Farm Aid 2006 Presented by Silk Soymilk. For more information on Farm Aid’s week of events, visit www.farmaid.org

Calendar Listings:

Sept. 22 to Oct. 1Fresh From the Family Farm: A Restaurant Campaign to Benefit Farm Aid
Sample farm fresh menu items sourced from local farms. For a complete list of participating restaurants in the greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region, visit www.farmaid.org

Sept. 23Urban Farm Bike Tour
Weavers Way Co-op, Philadelphia, 8:30 a.m.
Cyclists will take off from Weavers Way Co-op’s farm at Awbury Arboretum in Philadelphia and finish at Yards Brewery Company courtyard for a picnic. Along the way, learn about three unique urban farms, a dynamic urban gardening program and taste the local produce. Learn more and register for this free event at www.weaversway.org or call (215) 843-5704.

Sept. 23Drawing for pair of tickets to Farm Aid
Collingswood, NJ Farmers Market
Collingswood Farmers Market will hold a drawing for a pair of Farm Aid tickets. For more info call (856) 559-0234.

Sept. 25The White Dog Café Foundation’s Fair Food Project Presents:
First Annual Local Food Expo

Sept. 27 Sept. 29Daily Drawing of Farm Aid Tickets
Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia, 8 a.m. 6 p.m.
Visit the Fair Food Farmstand each day to enter your name for a chance to win free lawn tickets to the Farm Aid concert.

Sept. 29Making Urban-Rural Connections: A Bus Tour with Farmers
Holiday Inn, Cherry Hill, NJ, 8:30 a.m. 8:00 p.m.
Farm Aid and family farmers from across the country will tour several innovative and organic farm programs. Stops will include Pheasant Hill Farm, Rodale Institute Farm and Somerton Tanks Farm. For more information, visit www.farmaid.org/farmtour.

Sept. 30Farm Aid 2006 Presented by Silk Soymilk
Farm Aid president and founder Willie Nelson and board members Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews, as well as Jerry Lee Lewis with Roy Head, Los Lonely Boys, Arlo Guthrie, Gov’t Mule, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, Steel Pulse, Shelby Lynne, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jimmy Sturr & his Orchestra, Pauline Reese and Danielle Evin will perform on the Farm Aid stage. Gates open at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Tweeter Center box office, or charge by phone at (215) 336-2000 or (856) 338-9000. For more information and concert details visit www.farmaid.org <http://www.farmaid.org> .

Sept. 30 Camden Children’s Garden FARM FEST
Camden Children’s Garden, Camden, NJ, 10:00am-4:00pm
FARM FEST will promote the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and buying locally grown produce. Activities will include nutrition and planting activities for children of all ages, storybook reading, entertainment and a farmers market with locally grown produce. Co-sponsored by Jersey Fresh/NJ Dept. of Agriculture. Open to the public: $3 children; $5 adults. Free to Camden residents and Farm Aid ticket holders. For more information call 856-365-8733.

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL WEEK
CELEBRATING LOCALLY GROWN FOOD
July 15th - July 22nd
SATURDAY, JULY 15

Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation Urban Farm Tour and Local Foods Lunch at Beau Monde Creperie, Saturday, July 15th, 12PM - 3:45PM. ($20-$27) A tour of Mill Creek Farm in West Philadelphia, a newly established educational farm dedicated to increasing access to affordable, healthy food. The tour will be followed by a lunch of savory and sweet crepes prepared with locally grown ingredients. To reserve: , or 215-389-TOUR.

SUNDAY, JULY 16

Buy Fresh, Buy Local Week Kick-Off Event at Yards Brewery, Noon - 4:30PM. This 4th annual celebration will feature wonderful local food, Philly’s finest ales, local music by Jim Fogarty and the Tonebenders. Also featuring Chilly Philly Ice Cream, Ciabatta Rolls from Baker Street Bread, Vegitarian Roasted Potato and Vegetarian Salads from Cosmic Catering, White Dog Cafe and The Abbaye, Grilled Falafel courtesy of Johnny Brenda's, S&C Gourmet Spicy Pickles and Steaz Organic Green Tea Soda and more! The Energy Cooperative and Philly Carshare will also be on hand so you can get your green on! If you love local food and support sustainable agriculture in our region, come eat and drink like you mean it! ORDER TICKETS ONLINE NOW or contact Kacie King: [email protected], (215) 386-5211 x102.

Yards is located 2438 Martha St, Philadelphia, PA. Directions: www.yardsbrewing.com/tours.html

TUESDAY, JULY 18TH

Buy Fresh Buy Local Happy Hour and Bluecoat Gin Tasting upstairs at The Standard Tap, 6PM - 7:30PM. Leave your laptop at work and be among the first to taste Philadelphia’s own Bluecoat Gin! Hors d’oeuvres made with locally grown ingredients and chilled summer cocktails will be served with the cool crackle of the DJ’s vinyl.A fundraiser for the Fair Food Project. $12. Purchase tickets at the door. Please RSVP: [email protected], (215) 386-5211 x103

The Book and the Cook Presents: Dinner with Jim Tarantino at The Blue Horse Restaurant & Tavern. Jim Tarantino, author of “Marinades, Rubs, Brines, Cures & Glazes” creates full-flavored dishes featuring succulent Country Time Pork. For reservations: (215) 641-9100

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19TH

Local Foods Dinner, featuring Pennsylvania Artisinal Cheeses at Django Restaurant, 526 S 4th St. (Please note change of date. Original date was Monday 7/17) What better way to celebrate Buy Fresh Buy Local week than to eat a fabulous 3-course dinner featuring Pennsylvania cheese in every course! This special meal, created by chef Ross Essner, will include fresh and goat cheese, Harmonyville Blue Cheese, and Pennsylvania Noble from Green Valley Dairy. $55 includes 3-course meal. Reservations: 215-922-7151

Farm to City Hosts a Free Cooking Demo with Nancy Verde Bar at Fountain Farmers’ Market, East Passyunk Ave. at 11th and Tasker Streets, 4PM. Nancy Verde Barr, former executive chef to Julia Child, comes to Fountain Farmers’ Market to shop the market and the Avenue’s primo specialty shops to demo fresca recipes of the season.

The Book and the Cook Presents: Dinner with Nancy Verde Barr at Paradiso Restaurant and Wine Bar. The author of “Last Bite” joins Paradiso’s Chef Lynn Marie Rinaldi. For reservations: (215) 271-2066

The Book and the Cook Presents: Dinner with Lenny Rudow at Jack’s Firehouse. Author of “Off the Hook: Rudow's Recipes for Cooking Your Catch” will reel you in. Reservations: (215) 271-2066

THURSDAY, JULY 20TH

Reading Terminal Market 3rd Thursday Tasting Event Series, 4PM - 6PM FREE! Reading Terminal Market merchants celebrate locally produced products with an afternoon tast-ing event in the seating area adjacent to Foster’s Gourmet Cookware, Learn all about grilling with cooking demos, tastings, and entertaining tips and ideas using bushels of fresh produce and locally produced wines, breads, desserts, soaps, cheeses and honey. www.readingterminalmarket.org

The Food Trust Hosts a Cooking Demo with Nina Planck at Clark Park Farmers’ Market, 4301 Baltimore Avenue, 4PM FREE! Nina Planck, food writer and founder of interna-tional farmers’ markets, invites you to the Clark Park Farmers’ Market with other local chefs for a demo of “fresh from the farm” recipes.

The Book and the Cook Presents: Dinner with Nina Planck at the White Dog Café. Nina Planck, author of “Real Food: What to Eat and Why,” joins White Dog’s Chef Andrew Brown. For reservations: (215) 386-9224

FRIDAY, JULY 21ST

PA Preferred Best Chef of Pennsylvania Competition (Southeast Region) at The Reading Terminal Market, 12:30PM - 4:30PM FREE!

SATURDAY, JULY 22ND

Farm to City Hosts Cooking Demos with Aliza Green and Jim Tarantino at Ritten-house Farmers’ Market, Walnut Street between 18th and 19th Street, Noon - 1:30PM FREE! Aliza Green, author of “Field Guide to Herbs & Spices” makes an appetizing case for seasonal shopping. Jim Tarantino, “The Marinade King”, grills up farm fresh favorites and local chefs show the best ways to prepare and serve fresh summer dishes.

PA Preferred Best Chef of Pennsylvania Competition (Southeast Region) at The Reading Terminal Market, 12:30PM - 4:30PM FREE!

Good Food, Good Beer, and The Rest Is History, 2nd & Lombard, 5:30PM -8:30PM. Local restaurants and brewers present their best at this romantic tasting event in colonial Philadelphia’s New Market. $30 for 5 or $22 for 3 sample food plates. Brought to you by Farm to City. A fundraiser for Slow Food. For tickets call Slow Food (718) 260-8000. More information: www.farmtocity.org/news.asp

Special Thanks to Last Year's Brewer's Plate Sponsors and Participants:

The Sponsors: Reading Terminal Market, Restaurant Alba, Rose Tattoo Cafe, Main Line Party Rentals, Inc., Designs & Decorations by A Green Thing, Phila. CityPaper.

The Breweries: Appalachian Brewing Co., General Lafayette Inn, Sly Fox Brewing Co., Troegs Brewery, Flying Fish, Stoudt's, Victory, Heavyweight Brewing Co., Triumph, Dogfish Head, Yards, Independence, Iron Hill Brewery, Nodding Head, Legacy Brewing, McKenzie Brew House, Manayunk Brewing Co..

The Restaurants: Royal Tavern, Eulogy Tavern, White Dog Cafe, Iron Hill, General Lafayette, Rx, Standard Tap, London Grill, Delilah's Southern Cafe, Cosmic Catering, Thomas's Restaurant, Down Home Diner, Abbaye, Zocalo, Tria, Fork, Bridgid's.