Cyclists gear up for Tour de Farms
If you liked the Iron Horse Chef competition and you want to support local farms in the Four Corners, sponsoring agency Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado has the event for you – the 2014 Tour de Farms.
Coming up Aug. 23, the event is a two-part bike ride through the back roads of La Plata County, visiting gardens, farms and even a dome house to see how fresh produce is grown in our area. One bike ride runs for 5 miles, the other for 20 – take your pick.
The nonprofit group came together in 2004 to advocate for local food and to address food needs of local residents. It aims to provide better access to farm-fresh produce to rural and low-income communities. Funded by a federal grant, the coalition of nonprofits sponsors food-themed events to increase the visibility of local farmers and to send more shoppers their way.
Growing Partners also focuses on educating families about how to live a healthy lifestyle and support sustainable agriculture. Next up, Apple Days on Oct. 5.
Soup Palette serves home cooking in Rivergate
What could turn a decorative arts painter into a restaurant owner? Hand surgery and a love of cooking.
Jenny Gross was a regular competitor in food categories at the annual La Plata County Fair, but traded in her canning jars this June to open the Soup Palette in Rivergate Plaza, located just before you get to Animas Surgical Hospital.
“It’s hard to hold a paintbrush in your hand seven hours a day,” she said, “and I’ve always loved to cook.”
The home cooking is all done on the spot at the restaurant, with soups, breakfast pastries and sandwiches concocted from scratch each day. You could smell the chicken green chile soup down the block Tuesday, heady with savory bird and pungent chiles. And the just-from-the-oven pan of Berry Good coffee cake oozed berry juices and a golden crumble top.
Today’s specials offer two soups, fresh tomato basil and overstuffed creamy potato, filled with everything you’d find at a potato bar: bacon, cheddar cheese, chives and more. There will be chicken on Tuscan ciabatta bread with sundried tomato pesto and an artisan salad each day.
The fair will miss Gross, but the rest of us are glad to have the Soup Palette.
Girls gather for a good cause
If you’re a girl and a foodie, you won’t want to miss Girls Night Out, the annual fundraiser for Durango’s Women’s Resource Center.
Working off the theme, “I am woman, hear me roar,” caterer Hot Tomatoes will offer such flame-kissed options as beef skewers with cilantro cream, jerk chicken with tropical fruit sauce, barbecue ribs with spicy and sweet dipping sauces and grilled vegetables. You can also feast on luau pork, roasted salmon with habanera chutney and grilled pineapple.
We all love dessert, and Hot Tomatoes promises not to disappoint us with mini key lime and coconut cream pies and a sugar cookie dipped in chocolate and macadamia nuts. Wine, beer and champagne will be served as well.
The get-together will be held at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at LePlatt’s Pond in Bayfield. Tickets are $45 for members and $50 for non-members and can be purchased at the WRC, 679 East Second Ave., or by calling 247-1242. Buses will leave at 5 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. from the First National Bank parking lot for those who want a lift.
What could be better than partying for a good cause?
Pamela Hasterok
