Why I Love the Hail Caesar Event

The proceeds of this amazing event go to support the Days of Taste Program, a culinary and nutrition educational experience that introduces 4th and 5th graders to the basics of how food gets from the farm to the table at the Dallas Farmer's Market. It's a program I've been intimately involved with for nearly 6 years now and it is by far the best kids education program around. Want to know more? www.aiwf.org/dallasftworth.

In the mean time, come out and support the event! It's a blast and you've never tasted such creative, innovative and unique Caesar Salads before!

The Dallas / Fort Worth Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food presents

THE XVIII ANNUAL CAESAR SALAD COMPETITION

Please join us for an exciting evening of Sensational Salads, Wonderful Wine and Fantastic Silent and Live Auctions. Win a fabulous get-away to New Orleans for two, including 2-night hotel accommodations at Harrah's Hotel, round-trip airport limo and dinner for two. Dinner valued at $200.00. 1 ticket $5 / 5 tickets $20.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE 2009 CAESAR SALAD CHEF

Anthony Bombaci * Nana at the Hilton Anatole Hotel
Eric Brandt * The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
Tiffany Derry * Go Fish Ocean Club
Eric Dreyer * Fearing's at the Ritz-Carlton
JW Foster * The Pyramid Restaurant & Bar at The Fairmont Hotel
Tracy Miller * Local
Grant Morgan * Dragonfly Restaurant at The Hotel ZaZa
Jeff Moschetti * The Landmark Restaurant at The Warwick Melrose Hotel
Daniel Nemec * Kirby's Steak House
Brian Wubbena * Truluck's

YOU BE THE JUDGE!

Sunday, August 30, 2009
4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Registration / Champagne Reception/Silent Auction
4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Silent Auction
5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Announcements / Recognition
7:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Live Auction
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Caesar Salad Competition

The Sheraton Dallas Hotel
400 N. Olive Street, Dallas, Texas
Phone 214-922-8000

Kay Pinkham and Freda Ballas, Caesar Co-Chairs
Chef John Tesar, Winner of the XVII Caesar Salad Competition
Scott Murray, Celebrity Emcee
The Dallas Directory, Event Coordinator, Marsha Singer

AIWF Members: $65 in advance / $75 at the door (if space available)
Non-Members: $75 in advance / $85 at the door (If space available)
Reserved tables of 10 people: $600 (1 check or credit card only)
Tickets held alphabetically at the Registration Desk.

Your reservation must be postmarked by August 14, 2009 for Pre-registration.

Hotel Valet Parking $15.00
Self-parking is available for $7.

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Proceeds from the XVIII Annual Caesar Salad Competition will remain in our community to support educational outreach programs of the DFW Chapter:

• "Days of Taste" - an educational experience that introduces 5th grade children to the basics of healthy eating and nutrition at the Dallas Farmers Market.
• Scholarship Program - educational assistance to aspiring culinary professionals at the Dallas County Community College, El Centro Campus, and the Art Institute of Dallas.
• Dallas Farmers Market Chefs Cooking Class Series - administration and management for ongoing cooking classes which assist in the support and promotion of our Dallas Farmers Market. These classes are open to the public.
• Wine Pairing Competition for Restaruant Week - a continuing education scholarship at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and New York to the chef and wine professional with the best food and wine pairing of this DFW event.

Old McDonald Had a Farm, Not a Drive Through

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF WINE AND FOOD
PRESENTS THE DAYS OF TASTE PROGRAM


“In this age of fast and frozen food, we want to teach school children about real food – where it is grown and how it is produced – so that they can develop an understanding and appreciation of how good food is supposed to taste.” - Julia Child, AIWF co-founder

“Old McDonald had a farm, not a drive through.” - Joanne Bondy, Days of Taste Volunteer, Executive Chef, The Gaylord Resort and Convention Center, Grapevine,Texas

Chefs, Foodies, Nutrition Experts, Farmers and Growers—come one, come all!
Be a part of the Coolest Field Trip of All!
It’s Days of Taste Time Again!

Join us as we explore the ABC’s of Taste & Health through the American Institute of Wine and Food Days of Taste Program. Held at the Dallas Farmer’s Market, Days of Taste provides a unique field trip experience for 4th and 5th grade elementary students in Dallas public schools. Through the program, students have the opportunity to explore the nuances of taste through the five senses with a tasting component guided by a chef, a visit with a local farmer to discover the wealth and variety of products grown and that are available locally, and prepare a Harvest salad using fresh produce that the they have purchased themselves at the Dallas Farmer’s Market. Volunteer culinarians and nutritionists share their enthusiasm for fresh ingredients, cooking, and love of food. The program teaches kids the concept of “from farm to table”-one that is difficult for kids to grasp these days.


Our Spring 2009 Dates:

Monday, May 4
Tuesday, May 5
Wednesday, May 6
Thursday, May 7

Monday, May 11
Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, May 13
Thursday, May 14

Shifts are from 9:00AM-1:00 PM
10/12 volunteers needed per day-bring your friends!
Dallas Farmer’s Market
Free parking
T-shirt, Lunch and Volunteer Instructions are provided

Volunteer responsibilities include:

* Greeting the students and teachers as they arrive at the market
* Overseeing hand washing
* Assisting chefs and growers as needed
* Assisting students with tasting component
* Assisting in the shopping and preparation of the Harvest salad
* Clean up and other duties as assigned

For more information and to sign up, please contact Robin Plotkin at robin@robinplotkin.com or 214-725-3947. To learn more about AIWF and the Days of Taste Program, please see the Days of Taste link under Programs.

York Street Dinner benefits Days of Taste

Exclusive Wine Dinner at York Street to benefit Days of Taste Program

As she has done annually for many years, Chef-Owner Sharon Hage will once again open the doors of York Street for an extraordinary fundraising dinner benefiting the American Institute of Wine and Food's (aiwf.org) Days of Taste Program. I've attended this dinner before and believe me, it truly is extraordinary. Not at all surprising from acclaimed Chef Hage and her wonderful staff. THANK YOU! www.yorkstreetdallas.com

I have had the honor of directing the Days of Taste program in Dallas for the last 5 years. Without a doubt, this is the most rewarding program I have ever been a part of-ever. The basis of the program is simple: It's a discovery-based program teaching fourth- and fifth-graders how food weaves its way through daily life from the farm to the table. Teams of chefs, food professionals, farmers, nutritionists and teachers collaborate to guide children through an exploration of taste that culminates with a homemade lunch fresh from the Dallas Farmer's Market. I can tell you from personal experience that the kids leave with much, much more than what is described above. Here is what I see:

• Pride in kids faces after preparing and serving their own meal
• Improved self esteem from having the tools and knowledge to make good food decisions for themselves
• Sense of teamwork as they work side by side with their classmates to prepare a healthy and nutritious lunch
• An excitement-that they profess-that they've never felt before about food
• And a lot more intangible rewards that are too many to list

To be a part of this incredible program, email me. I'll bring you on board for the time of your life! www.aiwf.org/dallasftworth

Details for the York Street Dinner

• Monday, March 2nd, at 7:00PM
• A special seasonal, four-course menu paired with wines from small vineyards will be offered along with a Champagne reception
  
• AIWF members $125 Guests $150.
• It’s just a phone call (214-696-2493) or www.aiwf.org/dallasftworth

Days of Taste

Want to see the wonderment on a child's face when he realizes that he just made his own lunch?
Volunteer for Days of Taste!

ODE TO DAYS OF TASTE by Amy S.

How do we teach kids today to eat healthy?
It’s not a question of if you are wealthy.
High sugar, sat-fat, mucho sodium too,
often the choice of kids to fifty-two.

Days of Taste is a program that helps youngsters see fresh and healthy.
Options that certainly must be considered as tasty,
And easy to fix, for kids to consider a McDonald’s nix.

Support this great program; help it grow thru Big D
by sponsoring schools in this great opportunity.
Contact your neighborhood school and request,
a Days of Taste sponsorship, bring them the best!

Join us as we explore the ABC's of Taste & Health through The American Institute of Wine and Food Days of Taste Program

Sign up now to volunteer for Days of Taste!
May 5, 6, 7, 8 & May 12, 13, 14, 15 (FULL)
9AM-1PM
Dallas Farmers Market, Market Resource Center

Free parking, lunch and a really cool T-shirt are provided
Volunteer Wrap Party: Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 17th from 4-7pm at the Milestone Culinary Arts Center


Volunteer responsibilities include:

Greeting the students and teachers as they arrive at the market
Overseeing hand washing
Assisting chefs and growers as needed
Assisting students with tasting component
Assisting in the shopping and preparation of the Harvest salad
Clean up and other duties as assigned

For more information and to sign up, go to:
www.aiwf.org/dallasftworth OR email me at robin@robinplotkin.com