As you’ve no doubt ascertained by watching the above video — and if you haven't yet done so, I highly suggest that you do — my dear friends Elizabeth Blau and Jerry Nadal will be honored at the second annual Dawson Food & Wine Festival, this Saturday (October 05).  Bonus: Yours-truly will be serving as emcee and auctioneer; and, thanks to the evening's circus-theme, I’ll be all gussied-up in full Circus Ringmaster-drag!

What I wasn’t able to fit into that brief video teaser (mostly because the ceramic tiles on that friggin' banana were poaching my huevos) however, was a rundown of the delicious dishes being offered by this year’s culinary partners, which I have laid out for you, herein:

ADA’S: Chef James Trees and Chef Dylan Jobsz
● Housemade Rigatoni with Red Wine-braised Short Rib, Tomato, and Pecorino
● Squash Agnolotti with Amaretto-Infused Brown Butter and Sage

ANDIRON STEAK & SEA: Chef Brian Massie
● Wood-grilled Wagyu Ribs
● Sue Buxton’s Oysters and Wood-Roasted Peekytoe Crab with Butter and Toasted Nori

CHAYO MEXICAN KITCHEN & TEQUILA BAR: Chef Garry Valiente and Chef Antonio Mejia
● Red Snapper Ceviche with Marinated Red Snapper, Red Fresno Chiles, Citrus, Shaved Red Onion, Micro Cilantro, and Sea Salt
● Lollipop Chops of Seared New Zealand Lamb with Tamarind Mole and a Jicama Manzano Pepper Salad

GREENE ST. KITCHEN: Chef Joe Zanelli and Chef Lanny Chin
● Mini Maine Lobster Roll Old Bay Seasoning, Bacon Chips, and Celery Leaf, on Brioche Bun
● Grilled Trumpet Mushrooms, Smoked Hen of the Woods, Aji Amarillo, Truffle Crouton, and Cotija Cheese
● Warm Beef Tataki of NY Striploin with Daikon Radish, Ponzu Emulsion, and Garlic Chips

HONEY SALT: Chef Kim Canteenwalla and Chef Sven Mede
● School Garden Farmers Toast on Whole Wheat Bread with Bellwether Farms Ricotta
● Biloxi Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich with Durkee’s Dressing and Creamy Slaw
● Bacon Truffle Popcorn with Bitter Chocolate and Salted Caramel

LA STREGA: Chef Gina Marinelli
● Salmon Crudo with Ginger Oil, Pickled Kumquats, and Fennel
● Taleggio Tortellini with Parmesan Crudo and Charred Broccolini

LIBERTINE SOCIAL: Chef Richard Camarota and Chef Jamaal Taherzadeh
● Black Truffle Pizza with Soft Poached Egg and Ricotta
● Roasted Delicate Squash with Maple Vinaigrette and Bitter Greens

LOCALE: Chef Nicole Brisson
● Grilled Octopus and Yukon Gold Potato Salad with Holland Chile, Celery Leaf, and Lemon Vinaigrette
● Crostini with Cetara Anchovy, Local Oregano, and Red Pepper Mortadella

WOLFGANG PUCK BAR & GRILL, DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN: Chef Dustin Lewandowski and Chef Kamal Guechida
● Housemade Truffle Potato Chips with Bleu Cheese Fondue and Chives
● Prime Beef Sliders with Aged Cheddar and Garlic Aioli, on Brioche Bun
● Zeppole with a Trio of Sauces (Nutella, Raspberry, and Vanilla) 

As well as sweet treats from Pinkbox Doughnuts, and more!

There’s also a sensational auction that’s been put together, including a silent auction (Click HERE), and a live auction with four very special lots, including:

● an Electric Mini-Moke by Moke America,

● a Disneyland VIP Experience for Ten (10),

● a Skate-Around at City National Arena with Vegas Golden Knights Marc-André Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault, Max Pacioretty, and Paul Stastny, and

● Floor Seats for a Sacramento Kings game, with round-trip travel via private jet, dinner at Echo & Rig, and an autographed pair of Shaquille O’Neal’s size 22 Reebok Shaq Attack “Dream Team Snub” sneakers.

It’s gonna be an unforgettable evening of food, folks, and fun; and I hope to see y’all, there!

2nd annual Dawson Food & Wine Festival
The Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain
Saturday, October 05 | 7pm
Click HERE for tickets and info

Get into it!
#DawsonFWF