Iowa City's TOP CHEF competition!

Don't miss your chance to sample the finest food and drink Downtown has to offer - all under one roof! The Downtown Association of Iowa City is inviting Downtown chefs and bartenders to participate in the first annual "Top Chef: Downtown" competition. 

Top Chef and DTA reception takes place Wednesday March 30th, 5 - 7:30pm at hotelVetro in downtown Iowa City. A portion of the proceeds from Top Chef: Downtown will benefit the "Make Change with your Change" parking meter donation program in downtown Iowa City. The Downtown Association of Iowa City (DTA) is providing this forum, as its annual membership meeting and reception. The forum allows chefs and bartenders to showcase their culinary and mixology talents and market their food and drink to a wide audience of Downtown business people and patrons.


Chefs will face off and compete to wow both judges and patrons with one signature dish from their restaurant. Additionally, bartenders from will compete for the title of "Master Mixologist" by serving their most creative cocktail.  

A panel of judges will sample dishes and drinks from every contestant and will determine the winners. Patrons will vote for the People's Choice winners.  A limited number of tickets are still available for thus event are $10 and RSVPs are required. Please RSVP via email to DTA Executive Director Nick Arnold or by calling 319.354.0863.

Field to Family Culinary Walk, Today--Sept 8!

Field to Family hosts a wide spectrum of events focused on local food. Spread out over a six week period, today is the Culinary Walk, 5:30 - 8pm in downtown Iowa City. All tickets today (available at New Pi) are $30 and benefit the Johnson County Local Food Alliance. Sample hors d'oeuvres at 126 and Hearth, Atlas, Chef's Table, Devotay, The Motley Cow Cafe, New Pioneer Food Co-op and the Red Avocado. Visit the web more information on Field to Family.

Green Drinks meets again...Thursday September 9

Iowa City Green Drinks meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month, and the next gathering is this Thursday, September 9th at The Red Avocado (521 E. Washington St.) beginning at 5:30 pm.
Anyone interested in discussing a wide range of environmental issues (and ideas) in the Iowa City area is welcome to join this informal group for food and/or beverages.

The August Green Drinks gathering featured Celebrity Chef & Food Activist Rocky Barnette, along with the Food & Water Watch team to talk about fair food policy and how we can help on a local level.
 Green Drinks is a great way to learn and to connect with other local environmentally-minded people.
For general info and a list of local green events visit the website. To receive email reminders and info on Iowa City Green Drinks, join the email list.

Get Ready for the Taste! Wednesday 4-8, 40 downtown restaurants

The third annual Taste of Iowa City returns on August 25, 2010 from 4:00p - 8:00p. Enjoy the unique and vibrant culinary atmosphere spanning the Pedestrian Plaza through the historic Northside Marketplace. Approximately 40 participating restaurants will serve sample portions of their favorite menu items and guests will be entertained with live music, entertainment and a festive street-fair environment. Taste of Iowa City allows the Downtown Association of Iowa City to introduce the varied culinary delights available in Downtown to new and returning University of Iowa students and reintroduce patrons from the community to the dishes they may have forgotten.

Food tickets will be available at locations in the Pedestrian Plaza and Northside Marketplace. All tickets are $1.00 and participating restaurants typically charge between one and three tickets per dish. Mark your calendar now for the "foodie" event of the summer!

Still time to rummage...

Farmers' Market and Rummage in the Ramp were buzzing on Saturday. People everywhere. Bounty. Locally produced meats. Foods from different parts of the globe. Handspun yarns. Flowers. garden sculpture.


And household stuff, lots of it, for cheap home decor that benefits local community non-profits. Now in its last day, til 8pm this evening. Thanks to all of the diligent volunteers who helped with this.