I’ve been neglecting the blogging a little bit. Mostly because I haven’t been running much, until Wednesday that is, I had taken some time off. But I have been eating. If there is one thing that I do really well other than drink wine and watch Criminal Minds, it’s eat.
I am pretty lucky to live in a city with such a large and constantly growing culinary community. We have some good food here in Cleveland. We have famous chefs with multiple restaurants of totally original and dedicated menus and pairings. Food Network winning chefs open restaurants here. Chris Hodgson of Food Network Star and Michael Symon, the Iron Chef himself.
If you are new to Cleveland and wondering why you came here or are looking to get to know your city, your love affair starts with the food. Hands down.
Yesterday was the 19th Annual Cleveland Magazine Silver Spoon Awards Party to benefit the Arthritis Foundation, Great Lakes Region. I knew the event planner was looking for volunteers and I really wanted to go anyway. So to get my free pass to fine dining heaven, I decided to volunteer.
(fresh lobster salad with veggies and sprouts from hodge podge truck… awesome)
The Silver Spoon Awards is a food and wine tasting, all in one place, of Cleveland’s greatest and most notable eateries. In May, Cleveland Magazine presents Northeast Ohio’s “Best Restaurants” with the Silver Spoon Award in a variety of categories. These winners come together at the awards party to share their winning dishes with their adoring fans. Last night, 30 of the best restaurants and 8 wineries were represented.
(cupcake table by sweet melissa’s… they also had chocolate covered strawberries)
I got to sample food from some of my favorite places ranging from Aladdin’s Eatery to Hodge’s Cleveland. I ate desserts from Sweet Melissa’s and Blue Point Grille. There were pizza joints, hamburger places, Melt Bar and Grill. Zachary Bruell was there with 5 of his restaurants, Parallax, L’Albatros, Table45, Chinato, and Cawell&Hubbard. It was amazing. A full list of attending restaurants can be found here.
After about an hour and 15 minutes of stuffing my face, I made my way to the Wine Raffle table where I was to volunteer. Seems like the perfect post for me. It was almost like a little game. Pay $40 to benefit the Arthritis Foundation and pick a cork with a number on it. The number correlated with a bottle on the table but you didn’t know which one till after you pick your number. That number entered participants to win a grand prize getaway to their choice of one 40 cities for a 3 day/2 night stay. Either way you walked away with a bottle of good wine. It was a sweet deal.
I did feel a little bummed that I was not a chosen blogger to go to the event and write about it and giveaway tickets and what not, but then I realized that I was doing more good and enjoying myself more as a volunteer. It never seems to occur to me what I can do to help those that are close to me through charity.
My mom is currently living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Suddenly I wished I had invited her! Maybe she would want to volunteer and help others too. Sorry mom! My bad. But it felt good to give my time to my mom and a great cause. I will be doing it next year for sure.
Now to run off all that Phnom Penh.
Did you attend this year’s Silver Spoon Awards? As a guest or volunteer? What was your fav? I kind of loved the Smore dessert from Blue Point and the cheese at Whole Foods was delicious. Then again I could have eaten everything in the room.