Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) In an effort to discover who will be mixing up the Seaport District’s best Sangria this season, the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center will hold its 2nd Annual Seaport Sangria Smackdown. Bartenders from various Seaport District establishments will come together on Thursday, June 2, from 6pm-8pm, at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center, and bring their sangria A-game; whether it is an existing recipe from their eatery or a new twist on an old classic, guests will be the final judge of who will be dubbed the Seaport Sangria Smackdown Champion.

For $20 per person, guests will enjoy sangria tastings from participating restaurants and light hors d’oeuvres and are encouraged to vote for their favorite sangria, with one restaurant being crowned the Seaport Sangria Smackdown Champion! Participating restaurants include: Ocean Prime, Empire Restaurant and Lounge, TAMO Bistro & Bar, Legal Test Kitchen, Del Frisco’s, Barlow’s Restaurant, MJ O’Connor’s, Salvatore’s, Morton’s, Rosa Mexicano, Rowe’s Wharf Sea Grille and returning champion, The Barking Crab.

TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased online at: http://sangriasmackdown2016.eventbrite.com

2) On Sunday, June 5th, Ward 8, located in the North End, will begin serving up Lobster Clambakes every Sunday evening throughout the summer. Ward 8 Executive Chef Kenny Schweizer has created a delicious version of the New England summertime favorite: the lobster clambake. The individual Lobster Clambake, priced at $35, will include a full lobster, clams, corn on the cob, mussels, and chorizo sausage.

When: Every Sunday,  starting June 5, from 5pm-10pm
Reservations are suggested but not necessary. All reservations can be made via phone at (617) 823-4478.

3) As part of his season-long farewell tour, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz will host the fourth annual “David Ortiz Children’s Fund Gala” on Monday, July 18 at the Boston Park Plaza, celebrating the worthy accomplishments of Ortiz’s nonprofit organization, its courageous young beneficiaries and its dedicated supporters.

Emceed by top ESPN personalities Steve Levy and Jonathan “Coach” Coachman, proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, in partnership with MassGeneral Hospital for Children and the World Pediatric Project, which provides critical pediatric healthcare to children in New England and the Dominican Republic.

Tickets now are available for this soiree where revelers will have the opportunity to mix-and-mingle with Boston’s biggest names in sports and entertainment while Big Papi gives remarks on his final season and his future after baseball. Guests also will enjoy a cocktail reception, live music and entertainment as well as a three-course seated dinner in honor of the special works of the David Ortiz Children’s Fund. Additionally, all guests will have access to a silent and live auction featuring unique memorabilia, priceless experiences and retirement season exclusives from David Ortiz.

WHEN: Monday, July 18
6:00pm-7:00pm: VIP & General Cocktail Receptions
7:00pm – 10:00pm: Dinner Program in the Ballroom

COST:
--General Admission (includes access to the general cocktail reception and the dinner program): $295 per person; $500 for two people
--VIP Tickets (includes access to the VIP cocktail reception with David Ortiz and other celebrities, the dinner program, name mentioned in the event program and a photo opportunity with David Ortiz): $1,500 per person; $2,500 for two people

To reserve tickets, please visit: www.501auctions.com/ortizgala.

The David Ortiz Children’s Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. The David Ortiz Children’s Fund is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

The David Ortiz Children’s Fund provides critical pediatric healthcare to children in New England and the Dominican Republic. The David Ortiz Children's Fund has currently netted approximately $2 million, provided over 500 children with life-saving heart surgery in the Dominican Republic, and has helped countless others throughout New England region. In 2011, David Ortiz was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award by Major League Baseball for his work with the David Ortiz Children’s Fund.

4) Now in its 19th year, Chefs in Shorts brings together a group of the area’s top culinary talents who fire up the grills and create their best dishes during this expansive outdoor, summer-in-the-city barbeque hosted at the Seaport World Trade Center. Join some of Boston’s best chefs for an evening of grill-offs, desserts, beer, wine and fun to benefit Future Chefs, a local nonprofit focused on first careers in the culinary arts. Attendees also will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite culinary creation.

This year’s featured chefs include the following:
Host Chefs:
Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center--Karen Hodsdon, Pastry Chef
Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center--Richard Rayment, Executive Chef
TAMO Bistro & Bar at the Seaport Hotel--Robert Tobin, Chef

Participating Chefs & Venues:
Artbar--Brian Dandro
Ashmont Grille & Tavolo--Chris Douglass
Back Deck--Paul Sussman
Bar Boulud--Jonathan Kilroy
Bastille Kitchen--Adam Kube
BOND at The Langham, Boston--Mark Sapienza
Brasserie JO--Nicholas Calias
Coppersmith--Jason Heard
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse--Rodney Murillo
Deuxave--Shaun Velez
Earls Kitchen + Bar--Cyrus Winter
Flour Bakery + Café--Corey Johnson
Foundry on Elm & Saloon--Shayne Nunes
Gather--Dennis Wilson
Harvard Club--Dean Moore
Kashmir--Harjit Pabla
Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar--Matt Drummond
Lucca Back Bay--Andres Cruz
Lulu’s Allston--Sarah Wade
Ocean Prime--Mitchell Brumels
Pete & Gerry’s Eggs--Karl Johnson
Philip R’s--Philip Rotondo
RFK Kitchen--Rachel Klein
Salty Pig--Josh Turka
Scampo--Alex Pineda
Serafina--Brendan Burke
Tip Tap Room--Brian Poe & Emmett Ledbetter
Top of the Hub--Stefan Jarausch
Town Market Andover--Mark Porcaro
TRADE--Cory Seeker
Waterline--Joe Florio
Worden Hall & Five Horses Tavern--Jim McQuinn

WHEN: Friday, June 24, 2016 from 7:00pm-10:00pm
COST: $80 per person (includes admission with complimentary beer, wine and culinary tastings)
TICKETS: Advance tickets are required: http://chefsinshorts2016.eventbrite.com. Tickets will not be available at the door.
MORE INFO: This event is strictly ages 21+ and requires proper identification.
BENEFICIARY: Future Chefs’ mission is to prepare urban youth in Greater Boston for quality early employment and post-secondary education opportunities in the culinary field and to support them in developing a broad base of transferable skills as they transition into the working world.