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) Now in its milestone 20th 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 Hotel & World Trade Center. Join some of Boston’s best chefs on June 23 for an evening of grill-offs, desserts, beer, wine and fun to again 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 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:
Aloft-Element Boston Seaport Hotel: Darren Sylvin
Artbar: Brian Dandro
Babbo: Mario LaPosta
Back Deck: Paul Sussman
Bar Boulud: Robert Differ
BOND at The Langham, Boston: Mark Sapienza
Brasserie JO: Nicholas Calias
Cask ‘n Flagon: Paul Bushell
Coppersmith: Jason Heard
Deuxave: Shaun Velez
District 45: Julia Slowinski
Earls Kitchen + Bar: Nick Hrynkiw
Five Horses Tavern: Beth Schunke
Flour Bakery + Café: Frank Francione
Future Chefs: Jason Carpenter
Harvard Club Boston: Dean Moore
Kashmir: Harjit Pabla
La Casa de Pedro: Stephanie Conni
LaVallee’s Bakery: Andy LaVallee
Local 149: Corey O’Shea
LTK Bar and Kitchen: Patrick Keefe
Lulu’s Allston: Sarah Wade
Oak & Rowan: Brittany Ross & Justin Shoults
Ocean Prime: Mitchell Brumels
Philip R’s Frozen Desserts: Philip Rotondo
Precinct Kitchen + Bar: Matt Sentas
Salty Pig: Joshua Turka
Sapore Ristorante + Bar: Wallace Christopher
Scampo at The Liberty Hotel: Alex Pineda
Serafina: Brendan Burke
Tavolo: Alex Horowitz
Tip Tap Room & Bukowski Tavern: Brian Poe
Top of the Hub: Stefan Jarausch
TRADE: Kimmy Jaski
Verde Farms: Cassie Marantz
W Boston: Derek Barragan
Worden Hall: Milton Barahona

Additionally, revelers will be treated to tastes from celebrity chef Allen Campbell as well as Backyard Farms, Eva’s Pastries and Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs.

WHEN: Friday, June 23, from 7:00pm-10:00pm
COST: $90 per person (includes admission with complimentary beer, wine and culinary tastings)
TICKETS: Advance tickets are required: https://chefsinshorts2017.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.

2) This summer, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Boston’s Back Bay will offer homemade, booze-infused ice pops, paired with Prosecco or Rosé Sparkling Wine. Perfect to enjoy on a hot and sunny afternoon, these summer treats with an adults-only twist have never tasted so good. Pastry Chef Tom Ponticelli has prepared flavors such as the Raspberry, Peach, Rosé and Blueberry, Lime, Prosecco. Available for a limited time only at Davio’s Boston from June 21st to August 31st.

COST: The Davio’s Boozy Ice Pops are available for $15 each.
Must be 21 to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages with a valid ID.

3) Executive Chef Nick Calias’ summer series, roofTOP Chefs, returns to The Colonnade Hotel’s RTP every other Tuesday, beginning June 13. The casual cookout-style, poolside tasting pop-up will once again donate 100% of ticket sales ($30 per person) to Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry. Each chef will make their own tasting menu of 2-4 dishes, with a complementing dish from Chef Calias.

Attendees get to soak up the sun, hang out with the chefs, sample small bites and enjoy full access to Boston’s only outdoor rooftop pool, which sits 12 stories above the streets of Back Bay. Tickets are available at rooftopchefs.eventbrite.com

The roster of guests chefs features:
June 13: Jason Santos, Abby Lane, Back Bay Harry's, Buttermilk & Bourbon
June 27: Karen Akunowicz, Myers+Chang
July 11: Julie Cutting, Cure Bistro
July 25: Tony Maws, Kirkland Tap & Trotter, Craigie on Main
August 8: Rich Garcia, Crescent Hotels
August 18: Josh Ziskin, La Morra, The Heritage of Sherborn
August 29: Fred Bisaillon, B-ACK Yard BBQ, Surfside Smoke
September 5: Matt Drummond, Loco
September 12: Jen Royle, Dare to Taste

4) Executive Chef Matt Drummond, recently appointed Bar Manager Kaitlyn Fischer and the Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar team are introducing summer Rum Punch Lunch. Southie’s funky neighborhood taco joint is bringing back their popular summer Friday lunch tradition, but with a boozy new twist – the Rum Punch Lunch. Guests can enjoy inventive Rum Punch specials each week, like Watermelon and Pineapple Punch Bowls, created by beverage maven Kaitlyn Fischer and served in a hollowed watermelon.

Rum Punch Lunch is the new weekly excuse to skip out of work early and jumpstart the weekend. In addition to an lineup of Loco’s signature tacos, fresh raw bar items, and killer margaritas, the Rum Punch specials are available exclusively during Friday lunch service (11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).

For additional details, call 617-917-LOCO