Congrats, barkeep
Bartender Jeffrey Fricke of Lawless Distilling Co. (2619 28th Av. S., Mpls.) was chosen as the regional winner of the 11th Annual Most Imaginative Bartender Competition presented by Bombay Sapphire, beating out peers from Minneapolis, Chicago and Milwaukee. His "Onasa Tinda" cocktail included gin, black peppercorn rosemary syrup and cocoa vermouth, which led to it being named "most imaginative." He'll travel to England this summer with 11 other mixologists to compete for the North American title.
Urban Roots at Food Fest
All three co-op locations within the Mississippi Market empire will be hosting a Local Food Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17, with youth interns from Urban Roots — the June Positive Change recipient — leading cooking, gardening and environmental conservation activities.
The family-friendly event will feature local growers and producers, samples, local products on sale and live music. Vendors will include regional favorites such as Ferndale Market, Salad Girl, Gerhard's Brats and many others. Oh, and raffle prizes! For details, visit msmarket.coop.
Father's Day brew idea
Vine Park Brewery, at 1254 W. 7th St. in St. Paul, is hosting a special day-before-Father's Day event on June 17. Vine Park is the only brewery in the Midwest where you can brew your own beer and make your own wine with its equipment and help.
If you come in to brew with your father at either noon or 3 p.m., they will have free beer samples, free pizza, a hammer schlager tournament, and corn hole, with prizes awarded.
Why the specific times? Brewing at Vine Park works like this: You spend about two hours mixing 12 ½ gallons of your selected beverage, then return two weeks later to bottle, label and cap your own beer. Cost per batch will range between $165 and $195. For details or to reserve a spot, visit vinepark.com.
Oops ...
In the recipe for Creamy Spinach Soup from last week in the Taste section, the directions omitted when to add the milk. Add the milk to the spinach/potato mixture after it is puréed to a smooth consistency.
KIM ODE