 I suspect by now the news has reached you that Tony Maws (Craigie on Main) has, in hand, his well-deserved James Beard Award for “Best Chef: Northeast.” I understand his staff feted him with a football-championship-game-winning style bucket of ice water over the head when he returned to his Cambridge kitchen. Those rascals. And chef Daniel Hume of New York’s Eleven Madison Park, broke character and was seen dancing on the bar to celebrate his equally well-deserved “Outstanding Restaurant” win. Good for Tony, good for Daniel, and good for the Beard Foundation to recognize their efforts and contributions in the culinary world.
Not to take away from Tony and the Craigie gang’s accomplishments, but I don’t understand why there’s a whole new list of nominees every year. I get that it spreads the wealth around and more people are recognized, but if say Jasper White won the best chef in the Northeast in 1995 (which he did), why can’t he be recognized again if his food is hitting the stratosphere today? Or Ana Sortun? Or Ken Oringer? Why can’t they win more than once if they are in fact the best chef/s? Come nomination time, a lot of names make it to the long (and sometimes short) list, because no one else is left who hasn’t won. Again, this is not the case for Tony Maws, bravo to you, but check the history. That being said, I do hope Matt Jennings (Farmstead and La Laiterie) and Krista Kern (Restaurant Bresca) make the cut next year—if you haven’t made the trip to Providence or Portland to taste their food, I urge you to do so.
Additionally, I was sorry that Barbara Lynch and Colin Lynch (neither siblings nor spouses) did not win for “Best New Restaurant” for Menton. ABC Kitchen, a terrific Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, did. I have had some terrific meals at ABC and especially at night, it soars (and they have taken a real stand on sustainability issues which is more than admirable). But what the Lynchs and their supernova team have done has had, in my opinion, more impact. In many ways, ABC is just another New York City restaurant. Menton has changed the way we dine in both the level of service and the creativity and execution of food here in Boston. I’ll go down with the ship with those words. Neither Lynch seemed ruffled by not taking home the big prize, but they are pros and their noses are back to the grindstone already, while mine is out-of-joint.
There were other great wins and upsets. And a happy note that Julian Van Winkle of Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery was honored with the Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional Award. I am a fan to say the least. I fondly remember the seductive amber elixir that was my first glass from the bottle of the oh-so-special Family Reserve Rye I tasted. The second is sadly a blur.
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I’ve been on the hunt for a subscription to a good meat CSA and in my scouring came across a new one through John Crow Farm in Groton. I’ve tried meat CSAs in the past and love the concept: just like the veggie version, for a small fee you get a monthly subscription of locally raised beef, pork, chicken and lamb direct from the farm. The portions are frozen so they’ll keep for the entire month or longer — and you’re supporting a tiny but well-deserving local business. After speaking to John Crow farm owner, Robert Varisco, I think I’ve found my match.
Varisco started farming about 2 years ago — shortly after his job in information systems was eliminated. The 40-something told me that he wishes his story was “more poetic” but the hard reality was that he needed to find a new gig, pronto. He started by farming the small bit of land he owned but then last fall, found an 80+ acre property in Groton that he was able to lease. There, he and his partner have set themselves up to pasture raise several Scottish Highland cattle, a few types of sheep, some goats, and a few “mutt” pigs (cross breeds that are actually very smart) as well as chickens, ducks, partridge, quail, and rabbit. As Varisco says, “whatever people want to eat it, I’d like to raise it.”
The former process analyst doesn’t even mind that he’s given up working on a laptop in his pajamas. The 14 hours-per-day of hard labor are entirely worth it. “I hope this is what I get to do for the rest of my life,” he says.
John Crow started its CSA in January but another run begins in June (subscriptions are six months long). Subscribers can sign up to receive from 5 to 25 pounds of meat each month and will receive a little bit of everything: ground beef, pork chops, lamb tenderloin and maybe a whole chicken. There’s a poultry subscription, too. Pick ups take place monthly in Cambridge, Jamaica Plain, Somerville, or in some cases, delivered by Metro Pedal Power.
If you’re up that way, Varisco tells me their farm stand will have its soft opening next Friday, April 29. It’ll have more official hours after the grand opening on June 2. Until then, sign up for the CSA and keep an eye on the calendar for your first pick up.
Sign up for a CSA online by June 1st; John Crow Farm, 170 Old Ayre Rd., Groton, 978-235-4708, johncrowfarm.com.
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By: Katherine Brooks
 Left to right, Thom Crewe, Area Manager Boston, Jimmy Choo; JeeSoo Erickson; Janet Wu, 7News/CW56; Yuka Okajima, wife of Boston Red Sox Pitcher Hideki Okajima; Linda Chin, ATASK President, and Margaret Cho, Jimmy Choo Powerful women (and men) of Boston unite! The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK) is bringing together six dynamic women from Boston to host and speak at the first annual EmPOWER Breakfast. The event, this Thursday, April 7, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Rialto, will feature a silent auction, a panel discussion, and breakfast (asparagus antipasti, baked spicy eggs on polenta with cured ham, and bittersweet chocolate cream with skyr yogurt and fresh berries). Event hosts include Rialto chef-owner Jody Adams; Vivian Hsu of Hsu & Associates; Renee Inomata, a partner at Burns & Levinson; and Janet Wu of 7 News/CW56. Panel speakers include Joanne Chang, chef-owner of Myers + Chang and Flour Bakery + Café and the founder of Boston’s Japanese Disaster Relief Fund Atsuko Toko Fish. READ MORE
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By: Anne Vickman
 Our pals over at the nonprofit Somerville Local First are hosting a fundraising party and networking event at Foundry on Elm next Wednesday, April 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. Local brewdarlings Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project will offering a taste of their spring concoction, Fluffy White Rabbits (triple hopped, hence the name), and wine distributor MS Walker will have samples of wines from small, independent wineries across the country, while Foundry on Elm will provide snacks (natch). READ MORE
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By: Ally Betker
 What’s more delicious than your favorite college basketball team making it to the Elite Eight? The March Maple Madness Tour hosted by Bed & Breakfasts Inn Mount Washington Valley in New Hampshire this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27. The inn-to-inn tour features sweet and savory maple treats from the Josiah Bartlett School Sugar House, the Ravenwood Curio Shoppe, and the White Mountain Cider Company restaurant. READ MORE
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By: Katherine Brooks 
A few weeks ago, chef Will Gilson of Garden at The Cellar sent an email that read:
“…my mother, Jodie Gilson, lost all of her greenhouses under the weight of the snow that has fallen over the past month or so. Many of us have been harshly affected by the recent storms, however my complaints… are entirely petty compared to the pain, loss and devastation that my mom is dealing with… Those greenhouses were her only source of income and the heart of her business.”
Gilson’s inbox was immediately flooded with support. Fellow chefs, members of the community, and loyal customers of his Cambridge restaurant reached out with donations and encouragement. His latest post on his blog reads:
“I can’t begin to tell you all how amazing it has been over the past week for my mother and I. The incredible and overwhelming support from this city and the Boston restaurant industry has brought me to tears on more than a few occasions.”
So how can you help out? Score a meal from twelve of the city’s best chefs at Chef Gilson’s Mother’s Day pop-up restaurant at the Boston Center for Adult Education! Culinary masterminds Aaron Cohen of Eat Boston, Louis DiBiccari of Sel de la Terre, and Will Gilson are throwing a mother-themed event on Saturday, March 5th. Participating chefs include:
Jamie Bissonnette (Toro/Coppa)
Dante de Magistris (Dante/Il Casale)
Matt Jennings (Farmstead/La Laiterie)
Colin Lynch (Menton)
Suzi Maitland (Trina’s Star Lounge)
Ed Doyle (Real Food Consulting)
Jay Silva (Bambara)
Andy Husbands (Tremont 647)
Mary Dumond (Harvest)
Joanne Chang (Flour/Myers + Chang)
Brian Poe (The Rattlesnake)
Steven “Nookie” Postal (Fenway Park)
All proceeds go directly to Jodie Gilson, owner of J. Gilson Greenhouses, to help rebuild her business that was destroyed in this winter’s snowstorms. The event begins at 6:30pm for VIP ticket holders (with cocktails by Eastern Standard’s Jackson Cannon and the ladies of LUPEC) and 7:00pm for general admission. Tickets available here. Can’t make the event but eager to contribute? Donate to the worthy cause directly through the blog.
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By: Katherine Brooks 
No longer restricted to the South or to cakes, red velvet has climbed its way north in the baking world and left its sweet-toothed fans with stained tongues and rounder bums along the way. Shout outs in James Beard’s 1972 culinary bible American Cookery and in the tear-jerking 1989 chick flick Steel Magnolias refer to the flavoring as a cake. However, the cocoa-accented, deep maroon color now makes appearances just about anywhere carbs are socially acceptable. Waffles, fried chicken, cookies, fudge, ice cream, pancakes, whoopee pies, milk, yogurt, and martinis have recently seen shades of red. With a devoted following and Valentine’s Day-appropriate hue, the flavor deserves to take center stage at its own event. We know just the thing.
Join Signpost and ten local chefs for OMG Red Velvet!, a rose-tinted benefit for Lovin’ Spoonfuls. Sweet talk other dessert lovers next Tuesday, February 8th from 8pm to 9:30pm at Flour Bakery and Cafe in Fort Point. Proceeds from ticket sales go to furthering the efforts of food rescue and food delivery to those in need. Expect paper hearts, valentines, giveaways, love music, and creative bites starring our favorite flavor. The dress code is festive, so break out your pink and red! Red velvet masterminds of the evening include Will Gilson of Garden at The Cellar, Sweet cupcakes, Hungry Mother, Union Bar and Grille, Sportello, The Chocolate Tarte, and more. Paint the town red for a great cause!
8 p.m. at Flour Bakery and Cafe, 12 Farnsworth St., Boston. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. Get yours here. (Photo credit: fsumaria on Flickr)
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 By: Anne Vickman
When I was a kid, dinnertime fun meant my dad, older brother, and I sticking our mashed-potato-laden tongues out at one another from across the dinner table until someone couldn’t keep a straight face anymore. Now that I’m ostensibly a grown-up, mealtime merriment involves events like the ONCE in Valhalla pop-up dinner at Somerville’s Arts at the Armory this Saturday, January 22. Hosted by JJ Gonson of personal chef service Cuisine en Locale, this ONCE (One Night Culinary Event) dinner is a Scandinavian-mythology-themed feast for 200, using about 97 percent local ingredients—including lamb, quail, beets, and carrots from local farms, as well as Duxbury’s famed Island Creek Oysters.
READ MORE
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Slideshow by Allie Vasilakis
Photographs by Emily Wilson
The leaves are gone, the holiday lights are already up. As autumn wanes and winter temps set in, we know what you crave: spicy, warming flavors and seasonal ingredients like pumpkin, squash and apples. Here, we’ve rounded up some festive food and drink picks that’ll be sure to get you in the mood for the season.
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 By A. J. Downey
Can science be savory? We’ll find out this Friday, when the Museum of Science launches a new series that’s all about food. Through panel discussions, film reviews, cooking demos by celebrity chefs, and more, the museum will examine food through the “scientific lenses of health and sustainability.” Programs are throughout the fall, but here’s a spotlight on two this Saturday:
Food on Film
Boston food critic Corby Kummer hosts a roundtable after a screening of FRESH, which “celebrates the farmers, thinkers, and business people who are reinventing our food system.”
When: Saturday, October 9 at 1 p.m.
Where: Cahners Theater in the Museum of Science
Citizen Chefs Meet Boston’s Best
Boston chefs Jody Adams, Chris Douglass, Tiffani Faison, Rahul Moolgaonkar, Jason Santos, and Ana Sortun share the tricks of their trade.
When: Saturday, October 9 at 10 a.m.
Where: Museum of Science waterfront pavilion
1 Science Park, Boston, 617-723-2500, mos.org.
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I suspect by now the news has reached you that Tony Maws (Craigie on Main) has, in hand, his well-deserved James Beard Award for “Best Chef: Northeast.” I understand his staff feted him with a football-championship-game-winning style bucket of ice water over the head when he returned to his Cambridge kitchen. Those rascals. And chef Daniel Hume of New York’s Eleven Madison Park, broke character and was seen dancing on the bar to celebrate his equally well-deserved “Outstanding Restaurant” win. Good for Tony, good for Daniel, and good for the Beard Foundation to recognize their efforts and contributions in the culinary world.
