[ultimate eight]
A 20-year aged Hook’s Cheddar is the anticipated star at An Evening of Eight Ultimate Pairings, a food and beer event to benefit Operation Food Search. Other big cheeses featured are A-B brewmaster George Reisch, Schnucks’ corporate chef Alexander LaZella and specialty cheese manager Derick Rosinsky. The event takes place June 20 at Schnucks Kehrs Mill in Ballwin.
Big things are expected from Aaron Perlut’s Tiny Bar, housed in the 250-square-foot lobby space at 1008 Locust St. Tiny’s decor pays tribute to National League Baseball’s smallest player, 3-foot, 7-inch Eddie Gaedel of the St. Louis Browns and features such crafty libations as the Villechaize, the Yellow Brink Road and the MarTeenee. Patrons under 5 feet are eligible for 25 percent off their tab (as long as they’re of drinking age!).
[goodbye and hello]
Chef Adam Lambay’s drive time has gotten shorter after he left Chaumette Vineyards Winery in Ste. Genevieve to join the culinary team at St. Louis Union Station Hotel as its new executive sous chef.
[trifecta honors]
Three cheers to Missouri’s Augusta and Montelle wineries and to their owner Tony Kooyumjian. Both wineries captured gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2015 Riverside International and Pacific Rim Wine competitions. Wines garnering gold were Augusta’s 2012 Chambourcin and Montelle’s 2014 Seyval Blanc, which also earned the Chairman’s Award (Unanimous Gold).
[new scoops]
The CWE has gotten a little cooler with the opening of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. The Ohio-based company founded by James Beard Winner Jeni Britton Baur uses direct and fair trade ingredients, and practices traditional old-school methods to create flavors like Sun-popped Corn and Salty Caramel. Both are used to build the concoction voted diners’ fave on opening day, Caramel Corn Sundae.
[hail to the chefs]
Congratulations to Rich LoRusso, whose LoRusso’s Cucina is celebrating 29 years of dishing up “not your usual Italian.” And a well-earned two thumbs up to chef Dave Rook and Ben Bishop on the first anniversary of Bishop’s Post.