Food

WIN SPECIALTY FOODS FROM IF ONLY… A FINE STORE

Did you know you can find hand-twisted candy canes, bright natural pastas colored with beets and squid ink, and cucumber wasabi dip at If Only… a Fine Store on Cushman Street?

And this holiday season, you can win a basket of the most coveted treats in their collection or a gift certificate during the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice.

If Only… a Fine Store has debuted their annual line of specialty foods and some of the hottest (tastiest) products are going fast. Cocktail stirrers are a big hit this year, as are buttery caramels, dark chocolate bark, and artisanal crackers.

“We really look for quality product. We pay attention to ingredients,” says Georjean Seeliger, co-owner with Rebecca Morse. Each product has been tested for visual appeal, vendor integrity, and that “Wow” flavor factor.

Kosher, gluten-free, natural, and organic products are a big part of the 2011 mix as well as hard-to-find items like vanilla beans, bitters, vinegars, and spices (powdered jalapeno, anyone?).

“All of the balsamics we have are put in an oak cask and get their color through time. They’re aged—they don’t get color through additives,” Georjean points out. One of the fine oils she carries, Colheita Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Portugal, was named among the 2010 Top 200 Olive Oils Worldwide.

Georjean and Rebecca take pride in offering items that can be bought as personal treats, but also make great gifts.

As a gift to loyal customers, If Only… a Fine Store is offering a chance to win a basket of specialty foods for those who mention both “Specialty Foods” and “21 Days of Solstice” to the cashier when shopping in the store.

Stop in before noon on December 24th and your name will be entered into a drawing for each visit (where to park? look here.) On Christmas Eve, a lucky winner will pick up a basket of pastas, soups, spices, mustards, candies, and dips to share with family and friends.

Get a taste (har, har) of the selection and flavors now available at If Only… a Fine Store with the following products, diligently tested and reviewed by DTA staffers. (We love our jobs.)

• Classy Delites Pistachio Roasted Pepper Dip ($9.50 for 12 oz.) A favorite of both Kara and David. Comparable to guacamole but with a peppery kick. The label says “Wild Taste, Tame Heat.” We had it on crackers, but dipping white corn tortilla chips in it would taste even better.
• Dave’s Gourmet Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce ($12.75 for 25.5 oz.) Made from squash in Oregon and delicious with garlic, onions, and roasted red pepper. Georjean recommends pouring it over tortellini and ravioli, or mixing into lasagna.
• O Blood Orange Kalamata Olives & Capers ($15 for 8.4 oz) A citrus-y take on traditional olive spread, the orange olive oil brightens up the black olives in this chunky tapenade. Amy loves the rich, bold flavor and recommends a “less is more” approach when spreading atop crackers or breads.
• Elki Sundried Tomato Savory Crackers ($4.25 for 5.3 oz) Light and flaky with a buttery sweetness. The texture and ridges make it perfect for dips and spreads. David was a big fan, and is happy to munch on these sans toppings.
• B.T. McElrath Peppermint Buttercreams ($11 for 5-piece set) or “Salty Dog Bites” ($0.95 each) Crafted by a chocolatier with a passion for dark and delicious sweets and an eco-friendly conscience (does it get any better than that?) From milk to dark and mixed with holiday flavors like toffee and cranberry, every B.T. McElrath product is handcrafted to perfection. Plus- “I’ve met BT. He’s a very nice guy,” Georjean attests.
• Hammond’s Twist Lollipops and All Natural Candy Canes ($3.25 to $4 apiece) are hand-spun and make great stocking stuffers. Hammond’s is “a great traditional candy company,” describes Rebecca. Lollipops of red, white, or green swirls and thick candy canes in flavors like mint, butterscotch, cherry, apple pie, and cinnamon are now available.

Is your mouth watering yet? Throughout the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice (Dec. 1-21^st), Martha of If Only… a Fine Store will share a specialty food of the day (today it’s pasta!) in her online diary. She will provide insights, suggest pairings, and reveal recipes developed in-house. Like If Only… a Fine Store on Facebook to stay in the loop on Martha’s posts.

Need even more chances to test out a few of these tasty items? If Only… a Fine Store is sponsoring a giveaway for the Alyeska 21 Days of Solstice. Check the facebook page of the Downtown Association of Fairbanks on Wednesday, December 7^th and follow the instructions to win.

When:

10:00am-6:00am, Monday-Saturday

11:00am-5:00pm, Sunday

Where:

If Only.. a Fine Store

215 Cushman Street

Phone:

 (907)457-6659

 

Food

FASHION & FLAVOR AT THE WESTMARK

Events, dances, fundraisers, luncheons, conventions, and corporate meetings are regularly held at Westmark Hotel & Conference Center, one of the best venues in the city for space rental, catering, parking, and proximity to downtown amenities. This weekend, fashion and food will fill the Gold Room during two popular annual events open to all Fairbanksans.

FLAVORS OF FAIRBANKS

The 7^th Annual City Sampler hosted by the Fairbanks Resource Agency (FRA) brings the cuisine of fourteen area restaurants to downtown Fairbanks. Participants will receive a wine glass and small plate to sample the desserts and hors d’oeuvres from over a dozen restaurants. Wines from K&L Distributors will be served in complimentary flavors.

“It’s a lot of fun for $40,” says Eva Norwood, Director of Outreach and Development at FRA. Funds raised through ticket sales will benefit the senior programs provided by FRA, including adult day care and an Alzheimer’s unit.

Live music with a “big band jazz sound” by Gentle Storm (a subgroup of the Fairbanks Community Jazz Band) will play throughout the night, and the entire event will wrap up in under two hours with plenty of time for a post-dinner drink at the wine bar of Gambardella’s Pasta Bella.

A new perk for this year’s participants is a complimentary coupon book for 27 local restaurants, including those represented at the City Sampler. A chance to win two round-trip tickets to Germany and other prizes are also part of the mix. Tickets are available by calling 456-8901, visiting HOPS Hallmark, and at other select locations.

Participating restaurants include a few downtown favorites, like l’assiette de Pomegranate, Bobby’s, and the Westmark. Cuisine from area Mexican, Cuban, Cajun, and Mediterranean kitchens will also be available.

The City Sampler takes place on Thursday, October 20^th from 6:30-8:00pm in the Westmark Gold Room.

WICKED GOOD FASHION

The Cham Fashional, on Saturday, October 22^nd in the Westmark Gold Room, was first hosted by the Fairbanks chapter of Quota International over half a century ago (52 years, to be exact) and it’s still going strong.

You can expect a fashion show with a theatrical twist based on the musical Wicked, with dance performances on the theme throughout the night. “Cham” is short for “champagne,” served to the black-tie attendees of this upscale and trendy fundraiser.

Jessica Woller, chair of the Cham, says a black-tie fashion show is unique in Fairbanks both as a fundraiser and an event.

“There are lots of auctions, lots of dinners but this is the only fashion show in Fairbanks,” Jessica points out.

The two-hour show features dances choreographed by local troupes and clothing, makeup, and styling from some of the top clothing stores in Fairbanks including Chartreuse, Connie’s, S Salon, and Cynde’s Boutique. Volunteer dancers have been rehearsing for weeks to prepare for the show, and shops make careful choices about which clothing they will showcase each year at the Cham. The entire production will be narrated by witches who have stepped straight out of Wicked.

“This year is a little bit different. This year is a lot more of a theatrical production,” Jessica says.

The party doesn’t stop when the show is over, either- a DJ takes the floor and dancing continues until 2 a.m. A silent auction and no-host bar will also be available, as well as great door prizes topping out with a trip on Princess Cruises.

All proceeds will benefit Quota International, which works with individuals who have speech and hearing difficulties and sponsors programs for disadvantaged women and children. The Fairbanks chapter recently started a high school scholarship program.

“We help a lot of individuals and small organizations that would otherwise fall through the cracks,” Jessica describes. “(The money) we raise this night gets us through the year.”

Tickets ($75) to the Cham Fashional are available at Denali State Bank (119 North Cushman) or at the door on the night of the show. Doors open at 7:00pm, the show runs from 8:00-10:00pm, and dancing continues late into the night.

When:

City Sampler- Thursday, October 20th 6:30pm-8:00pm

Cham Fashional- Saturday, October 22nd 7:00pm-2:00am

Where:

Westmark Hotel & Conference Center

813 Noble Street

Call:

City Sampler- (907)456-8901

 

Food

Food Day @ Noel Wien Library

Join the Fairbanks Community Cooperative Market for a discussion on how to improve your health with food- led by Dr. Ashley May and cosponsored by the Fairbanks Naturopathic Physicians Association. Nutritious and delicious treats served up right before the lecture, with time for questions to follow.

When:

Monday, October 24th 6:30pm-8:30pm

Where:

Noel Wien Public Library Auditorium

1215 Cowles Street

Call:

(907)457-1023

Food

Late Night Dance And Live Music @ Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Q

When:

Food

St. Louis Sparerib Mondays @ Big Daddy’s Bar-B-Q

All you can eat St. Louis spareribs for $1.50 each. Special is dine in only, and is available from 4:00pm to close!