Newspaper Page Text
You Eat, You Drink,
13th Annual'
urns' Benefits
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
A s usual, many an establishment that stands
for the essence of Athens will man a booth:
Five Points Deli (cross your fingers for those spicy
cheese straws). The Grill (likewise for the Dixie
including the IRS. Social Security Administration
and Veterans Administration. For more information
on Community Connection, which administers far
more than just the 211 number, visit www.commu-
nityconnection211.com.
cup-sized milkshakes it's impossible to down just one of).
The Grit, Jittery Joe's and more. Fancier food should be
available from East-West, Maison Bleu, Last Resort and,
for the first time, Farm 255, the organically-oriented spot
that opened downtown this past year. II Gelato makes its
debut, too, and Cecilia Villaveces Cakes, which last year
featured single-serving, three-tiered wedding cakes, will
probably be mobbed, as usual. The sidebar that accom
panies this article lists all the food and beverage vendors
participating this year.
N ~ ew to "A Taste of Athens" this year is a fantastic
line-up of cookbook authors, who will be signing and
retailing their wares, and the Red Clay Chef competition,
a cook-off "Iron Chef"-style among four local representa
tives. In the cookbook area, Dexter Weaver of Weaver D's
(Automatic Vail), Rebecca Lang (Southern Entertaining
for a New Generation), James Beard Award-winner and
frequent guest star on Alton Brown's 'Good Eats" Shirley
Corriher (Cookwise: The Secrets of Cooking Revealed, a
look at better cooking through chemistry), Ted Hafer
and Jessica Greene (The Grit Cookbook), Loran and Myrna
Smith (Let the Big Dawg Eat) and Kimberly Kennedy (The
Art and Craft of Entertaining) will autograph their respec
tive tomes, which showcase a variety of approaches to
cuisine.
this point in the season, almost everyone's sick of
■-^^7’ the cold, ready for either our one yearly bout of
1 W JL slow flurries or for it to hurry up and be warm again,
for leaves on the trees and temperatures that make one want to
be outside. Valentine's Day usually gets credit for the one bright
spot in February, but if you don't have a honey of your own, it's
more an ordeal than a celebration. But, lo, on the horizon, comes
something specific to our own fair burg that makes the month of
crankiness more bearable, something that flatters the ursine, hi-
bernatory side of all of us: 'A Taste of Athens." The annual event is
at the Classic Center once again this year, on Sunday, Feb. 26 from
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The 13th annual event boasts some new features
this year, including the Red Clay Chef Competition, local and re
gional cookbook authors, as well as a cooking demonstration.
M ore than 55 Athens-area food and drink vendors will fill up
the big room, some old favorites and some newcomers, but
all doing their best to attract the attention of your taste buds
with limited resources and space. For Mexican, Agua Linda and
Cactus Cafe will break out their chiles, and in the Italian ring,
Angelo's, Amici, DePalma's, Mia Madonna and The Tuscan Market
should provide a wide range of options, from simple pizza joint red
sauce to high-end gourmet offerings. If your tastes run more to
places where pork fat is a staple and the staff calls you 'honey,"
Weaver D's is back (last year's warming trays contained ridiculous
amounts of tasty grub); Walt Light's Seafood. Steak and Southern
will display its variations on the old Parson's
menu; Five Star Day will do its nouveau soul
thang, and new kid on the block (Oconee Street,
that is, soon to open in the former location of
Fuel) Mama's Boy will give us a sampling of its
traditional Southern fare.
M anning Brothers is sponsoring the Red Clay Chef
Competition, in which Hugh Acheson (Five and Ten),
Reggie DiSante (Harry Bissett's), Anne Miller-Andersen
(Maison Bleu) and Lamar Thomas (East-West Bistro) will
compete live, two at a time, preparing dishes with sur
prise ingredients for a panel of celebrity judges. Don't
expect quite the insane flair of 'Iron Cher (one doubts
said ingredients will be unveiled with such high drama),
but you should get some insight into both the process and
the inspiration that take place in the kitchens of these
four restaurants. In addition, Virginia Willis, food expert
and producer of Turner South's "Homeplate," will give a
cooking demonstration, adding to the live excitement of
this year's event.
A s always, it's not just a party. 'A Taste of Athens'
benefits Community Connection's 211 service, a phone
number that you can call either to offer or to receive help
in a number of areas. Finding needed services is always
complicated, and 211 is a way to find exactly wnat you
need, in 14 counties including and surrounding Athens-
Clarke. The phone number is free, confidential and manned
24 hours a day, directing callers to resources in the areas
of food, child care, DFACS, homeless shelters, sexual
assault services, mental health and substance abuse,
runaways, domestic violence and government services
Y our ticket price (S40 in advance. S35 if
purchased in groups of six or more, S45 at
the door) goes directly to benefit Community
Connection. But as usual, there are other ways
to contribute once you're in the door. A raffle for
food and beverage-related prizes offers those of limited pocket
change a chance at some fancy goods, and if you have a bit more
to spare, the silent auction always has numerous cool donations
from local artists and merchants. Souvenir wine glasses can be
purchased to class up the booze poured by many a purveyor of
fine spirits, as can the event poster, designed by local artist Mary
Porter. And, in the Athens spirit of things, there's also an after
party at Harry Bissett's from 9:30 p.m. to close; a portion of the
proceeds from that party will benefit Community Connection.
nnickets can be purchased online at www.tasteofathens.com
1 through Paypal, on the phone by dialing 706-353-1313, ext.
235, or in person at Community Connection, The Rolling Pin,
Aurum Studios, Homeplace, Marti's at Midday. Jittery Joe's (all four
locations) or Borders. For more information on the event, including
a list of sponsors, visit www.tasteofathens.com.
Hillary Brown
r
WHAT: "A Taste ot Athens"
\
WHERE: Classic Center Grand Hall
WHEN: Sunday. February 26.6 p.m.-9 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $35—$45
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20 FLAGPOLE.COM • FEBRUARY 22, 2006