THE CULINARY BREEDING NETWORK’S VARIETY SHOWCASE RETURNS TO THE NINES HOTEL FOR THE SECOND YEAR
The farm-to-table-focused event that builds collaboration between breeders, farmers, and eaters takes place on Monday, October 2 in downtown Portland
(PORTLAND; September 12, 2017) – In its fourth annual year, the Culinary Breeding Network’s Variety Showcase returns to Portland. For the second time, it will be held at The Nines Hotel (525 SW Morrison St.) on Monday, October 2 from 7-10 p.m., as the organization invites the community to play a vital role in improving the quality of what farmers grow and how it tastes through this collaborative event.
The showcase, which is open to the public, is an interactive mixer with the goal of strengthening community and relationships between plant breeders, farmers, and eaters. Plant breeders and farmers will share their own quality food and ingredients with diners and chefs, while attendees get the unique opportunity to taste new and in-development vegetable and grain cultivars, sharing opinions and breaking down walls between eaters and breeders.
Executive Chef Gregory Gourdet of Departure, the rooftop restaurant and lounge atop The Nines, is among the stellar lineup of participating chefs in this year’s showcase. “Our relationships with our local farmers and growers are extremely important to establishing a healthy and delicious product,” says Gourdet. “We’re grateful to be part of an event that breaks down barriers and invites feedback between the growing and eating process.”
Variety Showcase special guests include Rowen White of the Indigenous Seed Keepers Network and Owen Taylor of Seed Keeping & Philadelphia Seed Exchange. The event also features a notable line-up of participating plant breeders, seed growers, and researchers from throughout the country including those from Oregon State University, University of Wisconsin, Washington State University, GoFarm Hawaii, and Uprising Seeds. An array of local chefs headline the event as well, including Andrew Mace, Jason French of Ned Ludd, Sam Smith of Tusk, Nora Antene of Ava Gene’s/Tusk, Stacy Givens of The Side Yard Farm & Kitchen, Sarah Minnick of Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty, Sarah and Dirk Marshall of Marshall’s Haute Sauce, and many more.
Tickets are available for $50 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the website here.
About Sage Restaurant Group
Denver-based Sage Restaurant Group, co-founded by restaurateur Peter Karpinski, creates experiences where food, drink and inspired design meet and mix. These independent restaurants, adjacent to hotels, deliver exceptional catering and in-room dining experiences. With locations across the country, Sage Restaurant Group’s concepts feature a distinctive scene and a subtly infused local vibe designed to appeal to a guest who is hungry for life. For more information, please visit www.sagerestaurantgroup.com.
