Raleigh's Busk `til Dusk Street Festival on June 9, 2012

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Glenwood South Merchants Association is pleased to announce the inaugural Busk ‘til Dusk Street Festival on June 9th from 12pm—8pm.  Busking is a form of entertainment where artists perform in public, generally in exchange for tips. Modeled on U.S. locales like Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, Faneuil Hall in Boston, and the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, this festival will welcome artists to perform on the sidewalks of Glenwood South.

During this family-friendly event, buskers may sing, play an acoustic musical instrument, dance, mime, juggle, sketch, paint, or perform other appropriate theatrical art. To launch the event and the Glenwood South busking culture, prizes will be awarded in three categories: Musician (acoustic), Performance Art, and Visual Art. The Visual Art category will be judged in conjunction with the annual Local Color Plein Air Paintout event. The Merchants Association hopes that, after the festival, busking artists will make Glenwood South a regular location for their performances.

 “Raleigh is teeming with talent, and we want to provide an environment where artists feel welcome and appreciated,” said Niall Hanley, president of the Glenwood South Merchants Association. “In addition to showcasing local performers, we hope to encourage both residents and visitors to come see what the Glenwood South area has to offer.”

All buskers must receive an approved permit from the Glenwood South Merchants Association. Applications will be accepted until June 5^th. Additional information and application forms can be found at www.facebook.com/GlenwoodSouthMA or www.shopdineglenwoodsouth.com.

Raleigh's Chef Make It To TV Food Network

Raleigh is home to three chefs that have appeared on TV Food Network. Executive Chef Walter Royal of the Angus Barn in Raleigh was on Iron Chef.

Professional chefs are rarely completely satisfied because they’re perfectionists, according to Walter. Although his mind may be totally focused on pleasing guests, his imagination is always soaring thinking of new ideas. And soar it did when Walter was asked to be appear as a guest chef on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America. (must log into facebook member to view) Taking a road far less traveled by celebrated chefs previously on the show, Walter led his team of four to victory by stepping completely out of the box. Chef Royal and his team defeated celebrity Iron Chef Cat Cora 51-43 in an upset not even the most experienced oddsmaker would have predicted.

The originality of using the mystery ingredient, ostrich, in traditional southern dishes impressed the judges so greatly that they awarded Chef Royal and his team the highest score ever given in the history of the hit television show. Competing celebrity Iron Chefs who have appeared on the show include Bobby Flay, Mario Batali, Masaharu Morimoto and Cat Cora.

Whereas Cat Cora prepared a showy European gourmet dish using ostrich, Chef Royal and his team appealed to back-to-basic taste buds, creating ostrich burger with homemade chips; ostrich satay with peanut dipping Sauce, now found on the Angus Barn menu; ostrich pot pie with black pepper honey; ostrich filet with smashed rutabagas, turnips and wilted watercress; and finally, the piece de resistance: chocolate soufflé made with an ostrich egg. (Is your mouth watering yet?) The judges made no secret of their passion for the soufflé. As Judge Joel McHale summarized the soufflé, “You managed to take one of the ugliest birds and put it into one of the best desserts!”

Chef Royal gives credit to the team that tackled the challenges of inventing and executing those audacious ostrich dishes. For his award-winning challenge, he chose Angus Barn sous chefs Julia Strickland and Alan McSwain. As an added bonus, Walter asked the producers if Van and Steve’s son, then twelve-year-old Christopher, could appear for a segment. The judges consented, and Christopher became the youngest assistant on record in the show’s long history. Julia, now the owner of her own restaurant, Poppyseed Market & Deli, said, “Being chosen by Chef Royal as part of his ‘Iron Chef’ team was the chance of a lifetime and I was so proud to be part of his victory!”

http://www.angusbarn.com/index.htm

Then there was Pitmaster Ed Mitchell of the Pit Restaurant in downtown Raleigh, NC who won against Bobby Flay in a Throwdown. The food was baby back ribs Carolina BBQ sauce style and baked beans. The Throwdown, a Food Network show featuring Bobby Flay came to Raleigh at Haywood Hall where the challenge was hosted. You want some beautiful ribs, go to The Pit and visit Ed Mitchell.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/bbq-ribs/index.html

http://haywoodhall.wordpress.com/2009/03/13/chef-bobby-flay-takes-on-pitmaster-ed-mitchell-at-haywood-hall/

Ashley Christensen of Poole’s Dinner in downtown Raleigh was the third chef to appear on the TV Food Network. Check out my previous blog about Poole’s and Ashley Christensen.

Another Raleigh Chef against the Iron Chefs

Ashley Christensen, owner/chef, of Poole's Diner in Raleigh, NC went up against Iron Chef Bobby Flay on food Networks TV show Iron Chef. Unfortunately, Ashley lost to Bobby Flay, but she should not have any shame in a brilliant showing of her culinary skills. Doris and I have known Ashley for many years, first meeting when she was at Enoteca Vin in Raleigh. This woman can really cook... I mean REALLY COOK! We have been to Poole's Diner a couple of times. She should be very proud of herself going on national TV up against Bobby. She may have lost the battle, but she has won the food war. Just go to Poole's.... if you can get in.... and see what this culinary master can do!

http://eater.com/archives/2011/07/25/ashley-christensen-vs-bobby-flay-in-iron-chef-battle-chum-salmon.php

http://www.indyweek.com/BigBite/archives/2011/07/25/how-did-ashley-christen-fare-on-iron-chef-america

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2011/06/ashley_christensen_of_pooles_d.html

Cameron Park Inn of Raleigh Temporary Closed

The Cameron Park Inn of Raleigh was struck by lightning on June 20, 2011 which caused some severe fire damage. Jon and Nickki who are wonderful people had a devastating blow dealt them when some severe thunderstorms past through Raleigh at 2am that morning. The Cameron Park Inn will be closed temporarily while repairs take place. It is not certain how long the repairs will take, but there was severe water and smoke damage as well.

In the meantime, the Oakwood Inn Bed & Breakfast and Woodburn Cottage will be helping to accommodate Cameron Park Inn's guests who had reservations. Check out both of our websites.

The Oakwood Inn is www.oakwoodinnbb.com or call us at 919-832-9712.

For the story, check out WRAL's website link: http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/9751030/

WEDDING? CHECK OUT OUR BACKYARD FOR YOUR VOWS

If you or someone you know is looking for a place in downtown Raleigh to have their wedding, checkout the Oakwood Inn Bed & Breakfast. Call to ask about pricing and what we can do you make your wedding day a memory that will last forever. We are specializing in having the ceremony performed in our wonderfully new backyard!

www.oakwoodinnbb.com or call 919-832-9712.

VALENTINE'S GIFT BON JOVI IN RALEIGH

Bon Jovi will be at the RBC Center in Raleigh on Monday, February 21, 2011 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are on sale now.

GREAT VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT FOR YOUR LOVER!

Get tickets NOW....... at: http://www.rbccenter.com/

Stay at the Oakwood Inn B & B. Use our Concierge service to pick you up at the Inn, take you out for dinner and then on to the concert and then returned to the Inn for a good night's rest with a fantastic breakfast in the morning!

http://www.americancourierandconcierge.com/

www.Oakwoodinnbb.com

DOGS PLAYING LIKE CHILDREN IN THE SNOW

Here is our dogs, Chimay the standard poodle, the backyard checking things out. She had a blast running, jumping, and eating snow. She chased her little brother, Chouffee the miniature poodle, around the backyard. They both got a lot of exercise which was good. Chouffee got cold after about 30 minutes and he went in, but Chimay stayed out for a little while longer.

CRAZY DOGS! Played just like two kids.