Traverse Tall Ship Manitou Offers Weekly Microbrew Tasting Sails & Announces 4-Day Michigan Craft Brew Cruise

In recent years Michigan has made a name for itself as one of the premier craft brew states in the country. What better way to partake of these fine beverages than from the deck of a beautiful vessel resting in a peaceful harbor—aboard the Tall Ship Manitou in Traverse City.

On Sunday evenings, late June through Labor Day weekend, you’re invited to sample local beers paired with fresh, hot pizza during the Microbrew Tasting Cruise. Each Sunday will feature on a local brewery—including Short’s Brewing Company, Brewery Terra Firma, Rare Bird Brewery, and Petoskey Brewing. Tickets: $57 per person. Space is limited to 58 and advanced reservations are recommended.

New this year is a 4-Day Michigan Craft Brew Cruise, September 24-28. Chef and craft beer aficionado Amy Sherman will serve as host and guide for enjoying tastes with hors d'oeuvres, followed by specifically-designed food pairings with dinner.

After graduating from Aquinas College, Amy Sherman found her true calling in the kitchen. A 20-year restaurant veteran, she’s held every job possible, from ravioli runner, prep chef, book keeper, waitress, to manager, sous chef and pastry chef. She has taught cooking classes throughout West Michigan, runs a catering company called Two Chicks and an Oven, and with her husband runs the local food company, Farmlink. As the host of the Great American Brew Trail, Amy drank her way across Michigan, one pint at a time. She currently hosts a podcast called “Behind the Mitten” with MLive’s John Gonzalez, and leads culinary adventures here in the states and Europe. Her main job, however, is being mom to three ruffians in Grand Rapids.

Tickets for the 4-Day Michigan Craft Brew Cruise are $769 per person and include all accommodations, meals and beverage samplings. Space is limited to 22 individuals in 11-double-bunk cabins.

As one of the largest sailing ships on the Great Lakes, the Manitou is a replica of an 1800s “coasting” cargo schooner. A traditional two-masted, gaff rigged, topsail schooner, Manitou measures 114 feet in length with more than 3000 square feet of sail.

There is plenty of space for sitting and moving around the decks while under sail. While aboard the Manitou, passengers are free to leave the sailing to the experienced crew or lend a hand and learn the arts of the sailor. An excursion aboard the Manitou allows you to remove yourself from the trappings of modern life: no TV, phone (cell phones are discouraged), internet, email and definitely, no itinerary.

To make reservations for any of the 2015 Manitou sailing adventures, call toll free 800-678-0383, ext. 2 or order tickets online. Gift certificates are also available. For additional information about the Manitou, including its corporate charters, log on to www.TallShipSailing.com.

Traverse Tall Ship Company is located at 13258 S.W. Bay Shore Drive (M22) in Traverse City and shares a dock with the fleet from the Maritime Heritage Alliance, creating a unique nautical experience for the area.

Chef Mario Batali To Spend Black Friday in Downtown Traverse City for a Live Remote on the Omelette & Friends Morning Show

Internationally-recognized celebrity chef, restaurateur and part-time Leelanau County resident Mario Batali will join the Omelette & Friends Morning Show on WKLT 97.5/98.9 FM at Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City on Friday, November 28. Omelette & Friends will be broadcasting live Friday, November 28 (8-10am) outside in front of Horizon Books. Mario will join the show at 9:30 am. The interview will be streamed live on www.wklt.com or on the KLT App.

The special "Black Friday" broadcast will encourage shopping in downtown districts throughout Northern Michigan. For culinary aficionados this will also be a unique opportunity to spend time with Mario Batali in his only Michigan appearance to sign copies and discuss his New York Times bestselling book, America—Farm to Table: Simple, Delicious Recipes Celebrating Local Farmers, which was released in October.

"When Mario reached out to us and asked that we coordinate his book signing and only Michigan appearance on his book tour we were honored," said Omelette, host of the Omelette & Friends Morning Show on WKLT. "We immediately asked that the event also promote downtown shopping and he agreed. It's no secret that Mario lives here part time and while he graciously promotes Northern Michigan every chance he gets, his schedule seldom allows for public appearances. We are very excited that during his annual family Thanksgiving visit to Northern Michigan he is taking time for this event."

Following the radio interview Chef will join Rick Coates, Omelette's co-host and producer for a Q&A inside of Horizons Books in the lower level Café. Coates—a long-time food and beverage writer, a former chef to rock stars and friend of Mario—will ask Chef Batali questions about the new America: Farm to Table book, as well as questions about cooking and food preparations tips, behind the scenes of Mario's award-winning show “The Chew,” his favorite places in Northern Michigan and more. Audience members will get an opportunity to submit questions. Seating will be available and there is no cost for the Q&A, which should begin around 9:45 am.

Copies of the 352-page cookbook, which includes brief profiles of some northern Michigan farmers, will be available for purchase for $35. Mario will also sign copies upon request. He says the book celebrates American farmers: their high-quality products and their culture, defined by hard work, integrity and pride.

“This book is a loose itinerary, or road map, that will hopefully lead you to develop relationships with local farmers, but also to enjoy the improvisational style of cooking that will elevate the flavor of the dishes you create when you buy products from a farm or at a farmers’ market and bring them directly to your table,” says Mario Batali on the book cover.

Among the featured farmers is Bardenhagen Farms in Sutton’s Bay, noted for its fruit (including cherries). Mario shares the story from Vernon to Ryan to the next generation with Ginger and her brother Chris.

In researching this latest title, Mario traveled to 14 cities across the country, interviewing chefs and their suppliers, crafting together “a highly entertaining behind-the scenes look at the business of small farming” writes Publishers Week. “The beautifully produced work at times has the feel of being two different books sewn together. And that’s not a bad thing. On one hand, celebrity master chef Batali comes through again with an inspired collection of appetizers, soups, main dishes, sandwiches, and desserts. Most of his more than 100 recipes, unsurprisingly, have an Italian spin.”

The James Beard Award Winning Mario Batali counts 24 restaurants, nine cookbooks, numerous television shows and the 50,000-square-foot Eataly marketplace among his ever-expanding empire of deliciousness.

GR International Wine, Beer & Food Festival Returns to DeVos Place for 7th Year, Nov. 20-22

The 7th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival returns to the DeVos Place Steelcase Ballroom and Grand Gallery, November 20-22. Attracting more than 17,000 consumers and industry trade last year, this is the largest festival of its kind in the Midwest and one of the premier culinary showcases in Michigan.

As a kick-off to the holiday season, this festival offers more than 1400 wines, beers, ciders, meads and spirits for sampling throughout the The Vineyard (Steelcase Ballroom), Brewer’s Loft and Cider House. More than a dozen area restaurants feature small plate samples as well as a handful of intimate “Pairing” dinners which offer three- or four-course meals prepared and served on site, along with carefully chosen wines and/or beers. A special cordials, dessert and gourmet coffee area offers an opportunity to end the day (or evening) on a sweet note.

An impressive line-up of free workshops and seminars, led by industry leaders, are held throughout the three-day event. The Riverfront Marketplace offers samples and items for purchase as you plan for the holiday season.

More information about the featured presenters, workshops, restaurants and beverage producers will be available soon. Check back to GRWineFestival.com for the most up-to-date details.

March Means Meat Month Madness at Food Dance

We love meat at Food Dance! It is something to share and savor. From the winter stews, roasts and braises to the summer grilled chops, steaks, burgers or ribs the traditional Midwest plate is anchored by meat.

“True to our vision, we care what we put in our bodies and yours”, says Food Dance Owner, Julie Stanley. ”We chose to serve meat and we look for producers that share our same passion for creating great tasting products, produced with care and integrity in all they do.”

Food Dance proudly sources its animals from farms that practice sustainable, humane animal husbandry – free of hormones, antibiotics or animal-by-products, that are pasture-raised and full of flavor.

“We practice whole animal butchery respecting the life of the animal in all we do,” say Stanley. “Our beef is dry-aged for a minimum of 28 days, which produces more intense flavor resulting in lower yields. We buy local grass-fed beef when available and our pork, lamb and chickens are locally-raised following the same standards.”

Pasture meats are lower in total fat – with more “good” fats and fewer “bad” fats, and are higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and higher in B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin.

Meet the Butcher!
Former pastry chef, Michael Wegrzyn’s interest in whole animal butchery and charcuterie, began while working as Sous Chef at Haven Gastropub in Orange, California and continued as Chef de Cuisine at Haven Gastropub and Brewery in Pasadena, California. Upon returning to his home town of Kalamazoo, he took the position of House Butcher at Food Dance – with fellow Butchers Guild member Chef Robb Hammond. Working with Robb, Michael has helped to develop their old-world style charcuterie program. Together, they create a variety of fresh and fermented sausages, bacon, and cured-pork products. These items, along with cuts from their whole animal butchering program, are available in the newly redesigned Food Dance market.

Throughout the month, Mike will be doing demos in the market. This Friday, March 7 he will showcase the art of butchering by breaking down a porch shoulder during the monthly Art Hop. Throughout the month, specials will also be offered in the meat market with 20% off special cuts. This week, its pork – followed by chicken, beef and house-cured or made sausages and charcuterie.

To further help your personal meat celebration, Food Dance is offering special events: a knife class, a butchering class, and a sausage making class.

Butchering Class
Wednesday March 12 (6:30-8:30pm)
$75.00 (includes tax & gratuity) * Each guest will also take home a delicious goodie bag.
Join Chef Robb and butcher Michael Wegrzyn, Butcher's Guild members, as they demonstrate butchering techniques with chicken, whole hog, beef and limited hands on sausage making.

Sausage Making Class
Thursday March 20 (6:30-8:30pm)
$65.00 (includes tax & gratuity)
The saying goes “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” That’s for shifty politicians and big time weiner companies. When working with whole meat pieces, there’s nothing to fear. Chef Robb will teach the techniques of processing, grinding, stuffing, casing, cooking and, of course, eating.

March Meat Madness Barnyard Dinner
Thursday, March 27 (6:30-8:30pm)
$49.00 per person (includes tax & gratuity)
Gather together with us in celebration of meat month with our in our 4 course dinner. Chef Robb will feature the four basic food groups - pork, beef, chicken and lamb. A great way to wrap up March Meat Month!

Food Dance classes, events and dinners are prepaid, non refundable, transferable up to 48 hours prior. Each has limited availability and reservations are required by calling 269-382-1888.

Check out the Market!
The newly redesigned Food Dance market offers sustainable, humanely-raised meats such as house-made sausages, cured meats, fresh ground beef, beef cuts, pork cuts and more (their very own little butcher shop)... and even more breads and savory baked goods, along with the same great pastries from their talented bakers. You’ll also find more prized-ingredients like olive oil, Anson Mill’s polenta, vinegars, condiments, fresh ground spices and pastas, as well as a selection of wines and local beers. The market is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday through Thursday; 8am to 9pm Friday and Saturday; and 8am to 3pm Sunday.

For those interested, the Food Dance friendly and knowledgeable market staff is also available to handle carry-out orders, help customers put together American cheese and meat boards, or help gusts find the perfect gift for all the foodie friends, no matter the occasion.

Food Dance creates opportunities for people to come together and connect through the experience of food. We passionately cook with the freshest locally produced ingredients and believe in giving great, caring service, and providing great experiences for everyone we come in contact with.

FOOD DANCE
401 E. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo MI 49007

www.FoodDance.net
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