Monday, August 17, 2015

2015 Oregon Wine Experience




Taking place August 17th -the 23rd, the 2015 Oregon Wine Experience will be a huge fundraiser, sponsored by Asante to benefit  the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN).  Last year the Oregon Wine Experience (previously know as the World of Wine Experience) raised nearly $300,000 to benefit the CMN.  This year, the goal is to raise $500,000 in funding for the programming, with ticket prices to the individual events coming in at $200 apiece.   AZ Catering & Event Planning is involved as the lead culinary event planner and the head caterer for TWO of the main events out of the week.

Pretty much, we're feeding 1000 people in the next seven days...  

Our first event is on Wednesday, August 19th.  Chef AZ and her crew will be serving a wide array of appetizers at the Medal Celebration and Barrel Auction.  Taking place at the Bingham Knoll Schoolhouse in Jacksonville, the event will announce the Silver, Gold, Double Gold and Best of Show winners out of the participating wineries.  The 425 anticipated attendees can taste the winning wines, participate in a barrel auction and an auction of custom crush wine futures as well as enjoy a delicious menu (below).

Medal Reception & Barrel Auction
Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

Appetizers Paired with White Wines
Heirloom Tomato & Peach Salad tossed w/ Red Wine vinegar, Feta 
Cilantro over Fry Family Greens served in Mason Jars (cold)

Creamy Gazpacho Soup Shooters w/ Chive Oil Garnish (cold)

Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs w/ Fresh Horseradish (cold)

Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers (hot)


Appetizers Paired with Red Wines
Willow Witt Goat & Pork Meatballs w/ Honey-Garlic Sauce (hot)

JalapeƱo-Corn Fritters w/ Honey Butter (hot)

Chorizo Stuffed Dates wrapped in Bacon (hot)

Rosemary Crackers w/ Cambazola & Fig Jam (cold)


Desserts
Decadent Chocolate Brownie Bites
w/ Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting & Fresh Berries

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Mini Blackberry Cheesecakes

Meyer Lemon Tartlets

On Saturday, August 22nd, we work closely with the amazing Coquille Indian Tribe and Smithfield’s of Ashland for the Miracle Auction and Salmon Bake (also in Jacksonville), the largest fundraising event of the week.  550 guests will enjoy a buffet of delicious, wild, cedar-plank-grilled salmon will be provided by the Coquille Tribe, served alongside a slow-roasted beef brisket and pork loin prepared by Smithfield’s.  AZ Catering will serve five amazing side salads, coordinate the delicious desserts donated by various vendors from around the valley and work with volunteer event staff.  Donated bottles of Gold Medal-winning wine will be available on all tables.  Such a collaborative project involving so many skilled participants can only mean one thing:  an epically fabulous meal (menu below).  This is the first event of its kind in southern Oregon and will be a truly unique experience.


Coquille Salmon-Bake & Miracle Auction
Saturday, August 22nd, 2015

Prepared by Coquille Tribe
Port Orford King Salmon

Prepared by Smithfields Restaurant
Maple Smoked Cedar River Brisket
w/ Pickled Fennel

Roasted Carleton Farms Pork Loin
w/ Peach Relish

Prepared by AZ Catering & Event Planning
Lemon-Garlic Bean Salad w/ Organic Spinach, 
Shaved Garlic & Fry Family Farm Heirloom Tomatoes

Sweet Corn & Zucchini w/ Roasted Red Peppers
tossed with Lime Juice, Garlic Olive Oil & Cilantro

Roasted Beet & Caramelized Onion Salad w/ Croutons, Rogue
Creamery Blue Cheese, Candied Walnuts & Kale 
tossed in a Balsamic Reduction

Watermelon, Feta & Mint Salad over Arugula

Farmer's Farro w/ Kalamata Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onions, 
Shaved Parmesan & Sausage

Dessert
Assorted donated desserts from Local Restaurants

Donated Coffee by Good Bean Coffee of Jacksonville


We are so excited to work on such a dynamic and multi-faceted project.  It takes an incredible amount of effort to pull off such a huge event by many dedicated people in our community.  Chef AZ has worked as a volunteer with the Asante Culinary Committee on this project since February with a wonderful assortment of industry professionals, from local restaurant owners, to winery managers and is honored to be one of the brains behind the scenes.  Please stay tuned: pictures of this AWESOME event soon to follow....

2014 Oregon Wine Experiance at Bigham Knoll, Jacksonville OR.