Food Notes

By The Daily Progress Staff

Published: April 29, 2008

Men Who Cook prepare real treat for MACAA
The 21st annual Men Who Cook will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the Doubletree Hotel to raise funds for the Monticello Area Community Action Agency.
More than 50 men will serve up their best recipes, including Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo, Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Claude Worrell and many other community members.
There will be a silent auction, music and guest volunteers, including youths from the Project Discovery program.
Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at http://www.macaa.org or by phone at 295-3171.

Chili Cook-Off returns down by the James River
James River Runners will present its 28th annual Great Chili Cook-Off 2008 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at its base camp at Hatton Ferry, five miles outside Scottsville.
The rain date is Sunday.
This year’s event is expected to draw 25 chili set-ups. Chili chefs compete to provide not only the tastiest chili, but also the most creative displays and set-ups.
The awards ceremony will be at 7 p.m. Prizes include $200 for first place and $100 for second place, and Budweiser will provide prizes for third place and for best set-up.
Admission is $15, $8 for ages 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 6. It includes free parking, all the chili you can eat until the supply runs out, music by Steve and Timi Ryalls and a tax-deductible donation to the Scottsville Volunteer Rescue Squad. All proceeds will be donated to the rescue squad for the purchase of river rescue equipment and training. For information or entry forms, visit http://www.jamesriver.com/chili.htm or call 286-2338.

President’s home toasts its annual wine festival
The annual Montpelier Wine Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Montpelier, the home of President James Madison.
At 1 and 3:30 p.m. each day, there will be demonstrations of new techniques for cooking with wine by Rowena Morrell, creator and publisher of In the Kitchen magazine; Erica Hall of From Scratch Baking Company; and Melissa Close, executive chef of Barboursville Vineyards’ Palladio Restaurant.
Guests may bring their own picnics or purchase gourmet foods, including breads, cheeses, seafood, salads, ethnic selections and gourmet coffees. Twenty Virginia wineries will be offering samples of their wines.
There will be live jazz and blues. Many of the mid-Atlantic artisans and crafters will offer goods with wine themes.
Wings Over Washington will present kite demonstrations, and families can make their own kites and enter kite challenge events. Other children’s activities will include barrel train rides, oxen rides and time to pet the alpacas.
There will be a Revolutionary War encampment, and carriage rides are available to Montpelier’s Visitor center.
Tickets are $20 at the gate, $14 in advance and $5 for designated drivers and for ages 13 to 20. Children younger than 13 get in free. Tickets include a souvenir wine glass. Reserved tables and hospitality packages are available.
To learn more, visit http://www.montpelierwinefestival.com or call (800) 594-8499.

Cardinal Point is celebrating its fifth anniversary
Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery in Afton will mark its fifth year in business from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday with live music and special offers in the tasting room.
The Cashmere Jungle Lords will perform a blend of surf, punk and Southern rock.
Admission is free. Picnics are welcome and can be enjoyed on the lawn if weather permits. Learn more at http://www.cardinal
pointwinery.com/events.htm or call (540) 456-8400.

New farmer’s market opens in Scottsville
Starting Saturday, the new Scottsville Saturday Farmer’s Market will offer produce, plants, crafts and agricultural products in Dorrier Park adjacent to the James River Bridge.
The market, near the corner of Valley and Main streets, will be open 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays through October. In addition to local produce and other goods, there will be performers, artisans and cooking demonstrations.
For information, contact manager Michelle Maggiore at or call 286-3750. Details also can be found at http://www.scottsvilleva.com.

Sign up for a master class at Jefferson Vineyard
Jefferson Vineyards will offer a master class in red wine blending with winemaker Andy Reagan on Saturday.
Each table of six guests will be given four barrel samples of merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec, plus ample instructions and materials. Guests will work together to produce a meritage blend and two varietal wines. The class will taste and discuss everyone’s wines and then have lunch together on the deck.
The class is $50 per person, and space is very limited. For times and reservations, call (800) 272-3042.

From staff reports