Raise your hand if you’ve been to a Cooks Confab event! Hopefully your hand is up, but if not, we have the perfect one for you. Coming up Saturday, December 5, 2009, 9am-1pm at the Little Italy Mercato, the Confablieri present Street Food! They’re in the giving spirit & you are part beneficiary. Get out there, enjoy their culinary creations for only $15, all of which will go to ARTS: A Reason To Survive. Their past tickets have cost close to $100, and worth every penny so if you love great food, but can’t always splurge – this is the time to do it. It’s sure to be amazing- just check out the menu. One more plus, it’s right in the middle of a farmers’ market…see below for more details

The Confablieri are coming out of the kitchen and onto the street—many with their families—to join the Little Italy Mercato for a holiday celebration of family and food with a focus on giving.

100% of proceeds will be donated to ARTS—A Reason To Survive. We also encourage you to bring along a new or gently-used musical instrument or unwrapped toy for the kids at ARTS (read more at www.areasontosurvive.org).

Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Little Italy Mercato is located on Date St. between Kettner & Union in downtown San Diego.

Tickets: 619.297.2787 x2002 Arathi

Minimum required donation, any additional donation welcome, all proceeds benefit ARTS!

Reservations strongly suggested, as event may sell out. (Sorry, no refunds, all donations are tax-deductible) — Cooks Confab

Here’s an invitation direct from the Cooks Confab:

We’re excited about our event in August! Masterbrewers from the preeminent craft breweries of San Diego, Hell the States for that matter, have selected one of their favorite beers and our Cooks Confab Chefs will pair food with it (more beers will be featured at the bars). Each brewery will be paired with two Confab culinary teams (see attachment below) they will present two plates to complement each one of the chosen beers. You get to realize the amazing versatility and straight up deliciousness of a truly handcrafted beer.

San Diego is THE Mecca for world class beer. This event will give you a chance to experience what is being created right in your own back yard. I know all of us here at Cooks Confab are ready to get our culinary game on and do these breweries proud! — Cooks Confab

This event is not to be missed! For reservations please call 619.544.9500. The event cost is 90.00 per guest and includes all food, beer and beverages, tax and gratuity!

Craft Beer!
Beer and Food Pairings

Peter Zien – AleSmith Brewing Company
Anvil Extra Special Bitter

Jeff Jackson – A. R. Valentien
Charcoal Roasted Eggplant, Coriandered Lamb Loin, Preserved Lemon and Poached Garlic

- and -

TK Kolanko – A. R. Valentien
Roasted Black Mission Fig, Cracked Pepper,
18 Month Fiscalini, Hazelnuts and Pan Forte

—–

Colby Chandler – Ballast Point Brewing Company
Navigator Dopplebock

Paul McCabe – Kitchen 1540
Foie Gras Bratwurst, Fingerling Potato Salad, Mostrata

- and -

Amy DiBiase – Roseville
Hazelnut Brown Butter Cake with ‘Navigator’ Ice Cream,
Beer Macerated Cherries and Candied Lemon

—–

Chuck Silva – Green Flash Brewing Co.
Le Freak Belgian Style IPA and XXX Coffee Stout
Jason Knibb – NINE-TEN
Jerk Chicken with Plantain Purée, Scotch
Bonnet Pepper Jam

- and -

Nathan Coulon – Quarter Kitchen
Duck Confit, Corn and Apple Purée,
Orange and Le Freak Sauce

- and -

Jack Fisher – NINE-TEN
Smoked Chocolate and XXX Coffee Stout

—–

Jim Crute – Lightning Brewery
Ionizer Lager

Katie Grebow – Café Chloe
Roasted Jidori Chicken with Succotash and Sage

- and -

Olivier Bioteau – Farm House Café
Alaskan Salmon Confit, Wheat Four Corn
Pancake, Fennel Relish, Harissa Oil

—–

Tomme Arthur – The Lost Abbey
Cuvee de Tomme

Andrew Spurgin – Donald Coffman – Waters Fine Catering
Berkshire Pork Belly, Cherry Smoked Celestial Figs Injected
with Old Balsamic, Pickled Fennel

- and -

Brian Sinnott – 1500 Ocean
Duck Crépinette, Arugula, Pickled Cherry,
Golden Raisin Mustard

—–

Greg Koch – Stone Brewing Co.
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Antonio Friscia – Stingaree
Mashima Ranch Black Wagyu Tataki
Smoked Pepper Sesame Ponzu
Shunkyo Radish Salad

- and -

Christian Graves – Jsix
Smoked Prune Pork Sausage, Watercress, Wild Rice,
Red Wine Vinegar Gel, Hoppy Crouton

Want to get further inspired? Watch this:

“I Am A Craft Brewer” is a collaborative video representing the camaraderie, character and integrity of the American Craft Brewing movement. Created by Greg Koch, CEO of the Stone Brewing Co. and Chris & Jared of Redtail Media…and more than 35 amazing craft brewers from all over the country. The video was shown to a packed audience of 1700 craft brewers and industry members at the 2009 Craft Brewers Conference as an introduction to Greg’s Keynote Speech entitled “Be Remarkable: Collaboration Ethics Camaraderie Passion.”