Update: Financing this fundraiser, after the jump.
I’ve been to quite a few wine pairing dinners, and I’ve been to a couple of beer pairing events, but a Cru vs. Brew?
Amanti Vino owner Sharon Sevrens wanted to put together “the wine and beer event of the year,” so she’s called in the big guns to keep our favorite Top Chef company at a Wine and Beer Competition Dinner – open to the public on March 23. Ariane Duarte of CulinAriane has composed a stellar menu that complements both wine and beer.
Pouring the brew, is Brooklyn Brewery’s Brewmaster Garrett Oliver; tipping the “cru” is Fred Dexheimer, one of 168 professional wine dudes worldwide who has risen to the ranks of Master Sommelier.
Dexheimer and Oliver will pit their respective expertise against each other alongside Ariane Duarte’s amazing gastronomical line-up.
The theme of this event is a competition…Fred and Garrett are selecting a wine (from Amanti Vino) and beer (from Brooklyn Brewery) to pair with each of the chef’s challenging, mouth watering courses described below.
At the conclusion of each course, a panel of judges will evaluate the success of Fred and Garrett’s pairings and select a winner. Sevren will also poll the audience after each course and will include their vote in the tabulation.
The wine and beer selections have not been announced yet, but take a look at the menu!
* 1st Course: Snapper Crudo, Avocado, Orange Tapioca, Malden Sea Salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
* 2nd Course: Szechwan Peppercorn Salmon, Baby Bok Choy
* 3rd Course: Dry Barbecue Rubbed Flank Steak, Spinach Gratin Potato
* 4th Course: A selection of Artisanal Cheeses (donated by Tallmadge Cheese Market)
* Dessert: Everyone’s favorite…Chocolate Flourless Cake!
All that divine food and drink may not be good for your waistline, but it will do good for relief efforts in Haiti. All net proceeds from the evening will be donated to World Cares Center, a nonprofit group working within Haitian communities. World Cares Center fosters sustainable, locally-led disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. World Cares Center’s work supports groups such as EDEYO, a Haitian school founded by Montclair residents in Port au Prince, My Father’s House Orphanage, the Family Health Clinic and many other local groups in Haiti.
* When: Tuesday, March 23 @ 7:30pm
* Where: Woman’s Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Avenue
* Wine Geek and Hop Head Tickets ($160 per person) – $80, or half of the ticket price will be tax deductible and donated to World Cares Center.
* Wine and Beer Connoisseur Tickets ($500 per person) – Attendance to a VIP cocktail party (6:30pm to 7:30pm), a seat at Garrett and Fred’s table, an autographed copy of Garrett’s book, The Brewmaster’s Table and more!
To purchase tickets to Cru vs. Brew, call Amanti Vino (973) 509-WINE (9463).
Benefit Update: Sharon Sevrens clarified the “donation” part of the event, and what costs are involved, in response to questions in comments. “Amanti Vino is absolutely not making a dime on this event.”
The fine print:
“Brewmaster Garrett Oliver & Brooklyn Brewery are donating 100% of the beer. However, it is illegal in the state of New Jersey for Amanti Vino to donate wine to anyone (go figure). After Fred picks out the wines, I will ask the distributors to donate to the event, whatever is not donated, Amanti Vino will provide at cost.”
CulinAriane is providing food at cost.
Waiters are donating their time.
Rental of glasses and plates and linens have been provided at a huge discount.
Rent of the Women’s Club facility is part of the overhead.
Cheese, provided by Talmadge Cheese of Montclair will be donated in part and provided at cost.
Complete costs for the event are not known yet, says Sevrens; at a minimum, $80 of each ticket will be given to Haiti, more if possible. A minimum of $420 from the $500 ticket will go to charity (there are four tickets left). “Several of my customers told me they wanted to make a substantial donation to this cause, which is why I came up with the $500 ticket option,” Sevrens added.
So it’s a mandatory $80 donation to have dinner? Or is there $80 profit on the $160? “All net proceeds” = the food and beer/wine cost exactly $80?
And how about spending $500 per person for the VIP party and such…How much money will be donated to Haiti from this amount?
Would also be cool to know if Amanti Vino is being classy and donating the wine and beer, or if the $80 fee is covering their costs or (worse) turning them a profit.
It’d be nice to know, b/c I really wouldn’t want to support a business that is cashing in on a tragedy (to set the record straight, no accusing them of this, but it is unclear from the info provided!)
Amanti Vino is most definitely not making any profit on this event (I spoke with Sharon, the owner last night). They in fact are extremely generous in donating to numerous causes and truly deserve thanks for their good works and enthusiastic support from our community.
Hmmm — looking at the menu selections, I think the brewmaster has the easier challenge: I can’t think of a wine that would go with anything spiced with szechuan peppercorns. For one, they make your mouth go numb and that kind of stuns your taste buds. And depending on how spicy the BBQ rub is, it seems that would also be a tough dish for which to pair wines. We probably won’t spend the dough, but I hope Baristanet attends and reports the results.
Realhawker, Wayne, ontheotherhand:
I just posted an update (end of the post) with the financing info you requested. Now enjoy the event if you go!
Thanks- it looks clearer now.
BTW- the event looks really cool. I can’t really afford the $160 tag – hope the “hops” guy wins.
Conan-
One word: Riesling!
Remember the basic (wine) rule: sweet with heat.
Customers’ favorite is vivienne westwood jewellery.Vivienne westwood earrings can make you look wonderful .vivienne westwood necklace are cheap and fashion.juicy couture are unique- designed.Almost every girl has vivienne westwood bracelet and juicy couture handbags.vivienne westwood sunglasses can protect you from the sun. vivienne westwood wallets are easy to take .vivienne westwood bags, are not expensive and beautiful.We have good feedback on vivienne westwood earrings ,juicy couture handbags and juicy couture .juicy couture jewelry are durable and attractive vivienne westwood bags.If you want to be different from others ,vivienne westwood jewellery, Juicy Couture T Shirts, vivienne westwood necklaces vivienne westwood cufflinks vivienne westwood braceletsvivienne westwood rings vivienne westwood sunglasses, ed hardy t shirts,Ed Hardy Bags, vivienne westwood bags vivienne westwood brooches vivienne westwood strap,vivienne westwood belts vivienne westwood keyring are your best choice!