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) On Wednesday, October 3rd, from 6pm-9:30pm, Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Dinner will return to Boston Center for the Art's Cyclorama in the South End. The evening will feature a silent auction, cocktail reception, and an exclusive multi-course seated dinner prepared table-side by Boston's top chefs- all benefiting No Kid Hungry‘s work to end childhood hunger in America. As one in five children in this country struggles with hunger, including more than 270,000 kids in MA, No Kid Hungry works tirelessly to lessen these statistics through fundraising events like the No Kid Hungry Dinner.

This year’s No Kid Hungry Dinner features over 20 participating chefs, including: Bambara's David Bazirgan, Bristol Restaurant & Bar's Jessica Biederman, Toro's Jamie Bissonnette, Brasserie Jo's Nick Calias, Boston Urban Hospitality's Chris Coombs, Chickadee's John DaSilva, Cultivar's Mary Dumont, Puritan & Co's Will Gilson, The Smoke Shop BBq's Andy Husbands, Mooncusser Fish House's Carolyn Johnson, Bar Mezzzana's Colin Lynch, Davio's Italian Steakhouse's Rodney Murillo, SRV's Kevin O'Donnell and Michael Lombardi, Bendetto's Michael Pagliarini, Sarma's Cassie Piuma, Outlook Kitchen & Bar's Tatiana Rosana, Waypoint's Michael Scelfo, Eastern Standard's Jeremy Sewall, Select Oyster Bar's Michael Serpa, PABU's Ben Steigers, Tapestry's Meghann Ward, Oak & Rowan's Brian Mercury, Flour Baker & Cafe's Joanne Chang, and MIDA's Douglass Williams.

Tax-deductible tickets range in price from $1,000 for individual tickets to the seated dinner and cocktail reception to $25,000 to a 20-person group ticket. 100% of the proceeds benefit the No Kid Hungry campaign. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit: https://events.nokidhungry.org/events/bostons-no-kid-hungry-dinner/

2) Bin Ends is back with their Wine Dinner Series, kicking off with Chef/Proprietor Steven LaCount at Chiara Bistro in Westwood on Sunday, September 16th at 6:30 PM. The dinner will  explore the Wines & Cuisine of Southern Italy - a specially prepared meal featuring the cuisine and fine wines of the Abruzzo, Campania, Calabria, & Sicily.

Chef/Owner Steven LaCount and his talented staff will prepare a five-course dinner menu while Bin Ends proprietor John Hafferty DWS has hand-selected the wine for the evening and will serve as master of ceremonies.

The Menu:
~First Course~
Crudo of Branzino (Marinated Manila Clams, Pickled White Balsamic Shallots, Shaved Finger Peppers, Anchovy & Citrus Vinaigrette, Micro Arugula)
2015 Lorenzo Piccione di Pianogrillo Grillo, Sicilia
~Second Course~
Cast Iron Seared Local Swordfish (Saffron Risotto, Orange Braised Fennel, Castelvetrano Olive & Caper Butter Sauce)
2017 Fattoria Nicodemi Rosato di Cerasuolo, Abruzzo
~Third Course~
Linguine Carbonara (Pancetta, Guanciale, Egg Yolk, Caciocavallo Cheese, Parsley)
2014 I Custodi "Pistus" Etna Rosso, Sicilia
~Fourth Course~
Rosemary Crusted Loin of Lamb (Olive Oil Crisped Chickpea Polenta, Sicilian Eggplant Caponata, Herbed Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Squash Blossoms)
2014 Falerno del Massico "Zer05" Primitivo, Campania
~Desert Course~
A Sweet Tour of Sicily
Lemon-Honey Olive Oil Cake, Buttermilk Panna Cotta, Almond Granola
Lemon Curd, Candied Lavender, Blood Orange Supremes
Caffo Limoncino dell'Isola, Calabria

Seating is limited to 30 people. Tickets cost $95 and can be purchased at this link. Once you make your purchase, simply print out your confirmation receipt and bring it with you to Chiara Bistro on the evening of the dinner. Under "Delivery Instructions", choose "In-Store Pick-Up" and Bin Ends will take care of the rest. If there are any members of your dinner party who have specific dining restrictions, please let them know in the NOTES section while placing your order as well.