I Need A Red Carpet Please

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending Share Our Strengths amazing Taste of the Nation. All thanks to the wonderful folks at Foodbuzz. They sent me a very polite email asking if I would like to be entered to win a ticket. Without a second thought I said sure, thinking I would never be chosen. What do ya know, I won.

I was so thrilled to be going to an event like this. Check out the restaurants attending. All for me to try, all in one place. This is one of the only food events in the valley where 100% of the proceeds go to the charity.

Heirloom
Sol y Sombra
LON’s @ the Hermosa
Elements at Sanctuary
T. Cooks at the Royal Palms
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Zinc Bistro
Espresso Italia
Olive & Ivy
Sushi Roku
Tammie Coe Cakes
Cathy's Rum Cake
Talavera
Ristorante Tuscany
Skye
Eddie V’s
Sassi
Tapino
Fleming’s
Banzai Cowboy Sushi
Patsy Grimaldi’s
Armitage
Dos Cabezas Winery


I was so excited I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. I had to get things in order. The site said "cocktail attire". What the heck is that? A quick Google assured me I had something cocktail attire worthy, but I needed shoes.



Done!

Now I needed someone to come with me. I know Anty T likes good food, she'd be willing to fund a good cause (besides spoiling my kids rotten), and she's super classy and probably doesn't need to Google the term 'cocktail attire'. Friend who likes to eat -



Done!

We got our tickets and were ready to eat. But what is this? A red carpet and backdrop that looks so Hollywood?





So now I'm gonna need a red carpet at every event I attend because it makes you feel so very important and immortalized. Parent teacher conferences, a trip to the grocery store, when I enter a room. (Did you notice my press pass? I got a press pass).

Once past the all important red carpet there was nothing standing between us and the food. Not even shoes that were more cute than comfortable. I had made up my mind to try everything at the event and I think I almost did.

There were so many beautiful displays of food everywhere we turned. Shrimp shooters with tangy tomato and cool cucumbers, smoked salmon bruschetta with sundried tomatoes, beef tenderloin on a blue cheese pecan cracker and pear. Every bite was another adventure.

But wait, there was something off. Where was the giant paella pan being stirred with what may be an oar? Giant pan of paella -



Done!

The quality and creativeness of the foods was beyond my expectations, but the Paella is what's been lingering in my mind for almost a week.



I must admit I didn't expect this monster paella set up to taste very good. I thought for sure there would be some rice undercooked, some seafood over cooked. It was perhaps the best paella out there. Teresa agreed as her family are vigilant paella undertakers and she's sampled many a paella. Her family has some serious paella pans to fill. The chorizo was just the right spice and salt, the prawns were juicy and not at all rubbery. The plate was loaded with flavorful rice and mussels gently cooked and opened ready to eat. The Grill at the Fairmont Scottsdale are responsible for this bounty of beautiful food.



We saw muddling action on our way in and were on the prowl for what we thought were mojitos. Much to our delight the muddling was for the super delicious Grapefruit Basil cocktail from the Edge at Sanctuary. Refreshing unique cocktail -



Done!

I was a bit familiar with what the Sanctuary looked like from a wedding shoot we did for a couple. Check out the awesome ice luge for the martini's. You can have your wonderful wedding at this place (or anywhere else on the planet), JT can come and shoot your photos, and I will make sure you look good in them. That's my shameless plug for the day.

This was an exceptional night of food, friend and drink. Two very satisfied and full chicas -



Done!

But don't think for a minute that I've forgotten about you all. I have taken it upon myself to recreate my own version of the Grapefruit Cocktails.



It was rough, testing out different versions of this light and sassy drink. But someone's gotta do it.



The Sanctuary lists a few different ingredients that are delightful, but I was looking to streamline this cocktail. We don't usually keep a very stocked bar so I went with the basics.

Still Sweet's Grapefruit Cocktail

1 handful basil
1 Tablespoon sugar



Muddle, or squish the basil and sugar together. Add 2 oz of vodka (I think citrus or even grapefruit flavor would be very good in this drink too). Continue muddling so the vodka turns a nice green. Even if you stopped here and poured this mix over ice it would be one bright and delicious drink. But let's keep going.

Add 8 oz grapefruit juice. One that isn't too sweet works the best.



Mix this together and pour through a strainer over ice. Add a basil leaf for garnish and sit back and enjoy your life.



Thank you Anty T for my night out. I love you and I love any time we get together.

Thank you Foodbuzz for the ticket to this fantastic event. It truly was a momentous time.

And please stop by Share our Strength and support them in any way you can. I am so blessed to have experienced the food that night and every night. Many people need food and Share our Strength is an amazing program.

Ok - thank you's and pleas for charity help -

DONE!