Kansas City Firefighters Turn Up the Heat to Determine who Grills the Best Steak in Town

Below is information from a press release concerning local firefighters competing in steak cooking competitions.
Firefighters Chief Greg Vincent and Ed Maurin Set To Duel in the Walmart Steak-Over Challenge
WHAT:                         
                                    Local retired firefighters Chief Greg Vincent and Ed Maurin  from Kansas City will compete in the Walmart Steak-Over Challenge presented by Kingsford® Charcoal, Dr. Pepper® and A.1.® steak sauce to determine who has the best steak-grilling chops in town. Walmart shoppers in Kansas City will get a front row seat to the event, which will take place in the parking lot at the North Town Walmart off Boardwalk. Shoppers who attend will have the chance to join in the festivities, taste test Walmart USDA Choice Premium steaks, sample Dr. Pepper and A.1. steak sauce for free, and cast their vote for best steak.
                                    The Walmart Steak-Over Challenge will visit seven other cities, including Jacksonville, Fla., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa, Fla. Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Ga., Houston, Texas, and Indianapolis, Ind. The firefighter finalist from each city will compete on behalf of their station for a $20,000 grand prize in Los Angeles, the week of May 20
WHY:                            Just in time for early grilling season and Memorial Day, Walmart is helping shoppers take their grilling up a notch with its top-quality selection of delicious, juicy and tender USDA Choice Premium Beef available in a variety of cuts. Only one in five steaks is good enough to call Walmart Choice Premium Beef, which has been approved by the USDA for quality.
VISUALS &                   Stop by the Walmart parking lot the day of the competition to:
INTERVIEW OPPS:       *Interview firefighters competing in the Steak-Over Challenge
*Try the Walmart USDA Choice Premium steaks and cast your vote
*Talk to shoppers judging the competition
*Speak to Walmart store manager
WHEN/WHERE:            Saturday, April 27, 2013
                                    North Town Walmart
8551 N Boardwalk Ave 
Kansas City, Mo. 64154
Firefighters start grilling at noon, winner announced at 2 p.m.
                                   
Other 2013 competitions include:


·         Jacksonville, Fla.: March 23
·         San Antonio, Texas: March 30
·         Tampa, Fla.: April 6
·         Charlotte, N.C.:  April 13
·         Atlanta, Ga.: April 20
·         Houston, Texas: May 4
·         Indianapolis, Ind.: May 11
·         Los Angeles, Calif.: Week of May 20


MORE INFO:                 Visit www.walmart.com/steak for steak-grilling tips and recipes from all participating firehouses.

Comida – A World Tour of Latin Flavors

Comida – A World Tour of Latin Flavors

Comida 2013 is the 1st Annual Latin Culinary Arts Experience.
Proceeds to benefit the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City and the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Collaborative. Honorary Co-Chefs: Aarón Sánchez and Michael Smith. Comida showcases 9 chefs, 6 restaurateurs, and 8 Mixologists- all of which create contemporary interpretations of traditional dishes and libations from a variety of Latin cultures. This event is Cocktail Attire and will also feature a silent auction.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Rozzelle Court
Wednesday May 1st
4525 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
VIP Party 5:00pm -6:30pm
General Admission 6:30pm-9:00pm
Street Parking or $5.00 Covered Parking.

For tickets and more information go to www.comidakc.com.

Private Tequila Tasting Dinner with Chef Aarón Sánchez and Upcoming Events at Mestizo

Private Tequila Tasting Dinner with Chef Aarón Sánchez and Upcoming Events at Mestizo

Thursday, May 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Private Tequila Tasting Dinner with Chef Aarón Sánchez at Mestizo.

Five course meal paired with specialty cocktails, all courses presented and discussed by Chef Aarón Sánchez.

$99/person + tax and gratuity. Reservations required. Limited to 50 persons. 913-752-9025 or mestizoleawood.com

Saturday, May 4

Cinco de Mayo Weekend at Mestizo

Food and drink specials

Live entertainment from 7-9 p.m.: Disco Dick and the Mirrorballs presented by Mestizo at Park Place Barkley Square. Free of charge. Bring your own lawn chairs.

Sunday, May 5

Cinco de Mayo Brunch at Mestizo

10 a.m. -3 p.m.

Family-friendly fiesta of brunch specialties with a Mexican twist! Includes $10 action omelet station with your choice of ingredients and a kid’s menu. Kid’s piñatas will be opened every hour on the hour 11-2.

6-9 p.m. on May 5: Live salsa dance instruction presented by Josh Hernandez with Viva KC. Come learn how to do some Latin moves and enjoy margarita and food specials at Mestizo.

Newhouse Shelter Chef Cook-Off with Food Network Chef Aarón Sánchez and Local KC Chefs

Newhouse Shelter Chef Cook-Off with Food Network Chef Aarón Sánchez and Local KC Chefs

Newhouse Shelter Chef Cook-off at the Overland Park Sheraton Hotel
Chef Aarón Sánchez, Chef Richard McPeake, Chef Mark, Mollentine and Chef Tatsu Arai will compete ag in a Chopped inspired event that will be judged by Chef Debbie Gold and others. Hosted by Chef Jasper Mirabile.
Sunday, April 28, 3-5 p.m.
Tickets are $50/person, $20/students and are tax deductible as a donation to the Newhouse Shelter

www.inspiredcelebrationskc.com

Seasons 52 Introduces New Lunch Menu

Seasons 52 Introduces New Lunch Menu


The new lunch menu at Seasons 52  showcases a variety of tacos, sandwiches, burgers, salads and sides.

You know I love supporting local when possible, but ever since Seasons 52 opened on the Country Club Plaza I have been hooked. I love the concept of all the dishes being 475 calories or less and the seasonality of the dishes.  I was recently invited in to try some of the new lunch menu items and am even more impressed then ever.

My cousin who was joining me for this delightful lunch does not eat dairy or gluten and Seasons 52 along with our server Matthew were spot on with a variety of menu items that she could enjoy.

Seasons 52 is the place to go if you have any dietary restrictions but still want to enjoy a fabulous meal. They offer gluten free, dairy free, vegan and vegetarian menus that are full of flavor. I know most places can accommodate a certain diet but most of the time it is by serving a plain grilled piece of fish and some soggy steamed broccoli but this is not the case a Seasons 52.

Below is a few of the items we tried. I will highlight the gluten and dairy free items. Warning it will make you hungry!

 

Grilled Garlic Pesto Chicken Flatbread - fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic onions, roasted red peppers, arugula

Tuna & Avocado Sushi Roll - wrapped in soy mame nori, wasabi, natural pickled ginger (Gluten and dairy free)

Tomato & Hass Avocado Salad - organic arugula, balsamic glaze, grilled bruschetta (Diary free and gluten Free without bruschetta)

Corn and Crab Chowder

Crisp Romaine & Kale Caesar Salad - shaved Parmesan, toasted garlic ciabatta croutons

Vegetarian Black Bean and Roasted Pepper - Jalapeño-lime slaw, guacamole, pico de gallo, mole, salsa verde, cilantro sour cream (Gluten free with lettuce wrap and dairy free with sour cream)

 

Grilled Chicken Caprese fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil pesto (Gluten free without bun)

 

Fuji Apple Slaw - jicama, fresh mint, cider vinaigrette (Gluten and dairy free)

 

Quinoa Grain and Citrus Salad - jicama, cranberry, fresh mint (Gluten and dairy free)

Plainville Farms Turkey Wrap - herb cheese, avocado, tomato, arugula

Tamale Tots - tomato-poblano mole

Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon - Fingerling potatoes, vegetables, fresh dill sauce (Gluten Free, Dairy Free without sauce)

Mini Indulgences... individual servings of classic desserts (Fresh fruit gluten and dairy free)

Every thing we had was amazing and I was thrilled that my cousin was able to enjoy such a fantastic lunch. She is thrilled to have found Seasons 52 and wondered why she had not heard of it. I wish to thank Seasons 52 for inviting me in and if you not been to Seasons 52 yet, you are missing out!

Below is information from the official press release about Seasons 52’s new lunch menu.

The menu includes more than a dozen flavorful new menu items crafted to make the most of the lunch hour. From a blackened mahi mahi soft taco with cilantro sour cream to the wood-fired wild prime tuna burger with wasabi slaw, the menu features cooking techniques such as wood-fire grilling and brick-oven cooking for beautiful flavor that is naturally lighter in calories.

Each item is made from the highest quality, freshest ingredients available.  All-natural Plainville Farms turkey is complemented by avocado, arugula and herb cheese in a savory wrap.  The wood-fired buffalo burger is made with free range and naturally raised Rocky Mountain Buffalo and served with blue cheese and truffle sauce.

Flavorful side items highlight the best the season has to offer, such as a quinoa grain and citrus salad brightened by cranberries, jicama and fresh mint.  In addition to the new lunch items, the menu includes a selection of entree favorites and Seasons 52’s famous flatbreads.

Highlights of the lunch menu include:


Wood-fired burgers– Buffalo burger with blue cheese and truffle sauce from Rocky Mountain Buffalo Co., ranchers committed to sustainable agriculture

– Wild, prime tuna burger with an Asian glaze and wasabi slaw

– Turkey burger made from Plainville Farms all-natural turkey with barbecue glaze and melted jack cheese


Sandwiches

– Grilled chicken caprese with fresh mozzarella, market fresh tomato, and basil pesto- Turkey wrap with peppery arugula, avocado and herb cheese featuring Plainview Farms turkey
Soft Tacos – served with jalapeno-lime slaw, guacamole, pico de gallo, mole, salsa verde and cilantro sour cream- Blackened Mahi Mahi- Chimichurri Grilled Steak- Vegetarian Black Bean and Roasted Pepper


Sides– Quinoa grain salad with crisp jicama, fresh mint and tart cranberries- Tamale tots with tomato-poblano mole- Fuji apple slaw with jicama, fresh mint and cider vinaigrette

– Roasted Idaho potato wedges with truffle dipping sauce

Whether enjoying a wood-fired burger and tamale tots with a tomato-poblano mole or a more leisurely meal in the restaurant’s warm environment, more than 60 wines by the glass from the extensive and award-winning wine program are available.

The new lunch menu is now available at all Seasons 52 restaurants.  For more information, please visit www.Seasons52.com.

About Seasons 52

Seasons 52 is a fresh grill and wine bar featuring a seasonally inspired menu and an award-winning international wine list designed to excite and surprise the palate.  Evoking the fresh appeal of the farmer’s market, we strive to feature the freshest ingredients at the peak of ripeness and prepare our dishes through natural cooking techniques like wood-fire grilling and brick-oven cooking.  The result is a promise that no menu item is more than 475 calories.  From our signature flatbreads and popular Mini Indulgence desserts to our international selection of 100 wines, including more than 52 offered by the glass, guests feel both the freedom to indulge and the ability to celebrate living well.  Seasons 52 currently operates 30 restaurants in 15 states across the country.  For more information, please visit Seasons52.com, like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Seasons52 or follow @Seasons52 on Twitter.