Wednesday, February 17, 2010

PAMA Cook-Off!


A few weekends ago, the cooks of the Davenport Hotel and Hotel Lusso were challenged to a cook-off to create a new menu item (appetizer, entree or dessert) that tasted amazing, was marketable, and had a great presentation. There was one catch: The cooks had to use one key ingredient in their dishes: PAMA® Pomegranate Liqueur.

"PAMA is made with all-natural pomegranate juice, premium vodka and a touch of imported tequila. Bottled at just 34 proof, PAMA is highly mixable, from the simple to the sublime," from PAMA's Website.

There were 5 cooks who participated and a special appearance by The Davenport's Executive Chef Bryan Franz! The winner received a Wii Console AND their dish featured on the Valentine's Day Menu. All participants will have their recipes submitted to PAMA for the chance to have their dish featured in PAMA's national cookbook. There were 5 judges including myself, the manager of the Peacock Room, a representative from PAMA, and two other Davenport Front of House Employees.

Here are the photos of the dishes and video of the cooks describing what they made!

Loyd's PAMA Huckleberry and Raspberry Gelatin



Colby's PAMA, Ginger, All Spice and Cinnamon Pork Chops with Spinach&Gruyere Polenta and PAMA Creme Brulee



Chef Franz's PAMA Trio-Goat Cheese and Truffled Orzo with PAMA marinated Quail. Boursin Mashed Potatoes with Chilean Sea Bass in a PAMA reduction. Grilled Cactus with golden raisins and PAMA. Sprite Floating Iceberg with pineapple sorbet and a shot of PAMA.



Liz's PAMA Berry Cream Custard with a PAMA syrup reduction



Alija's Rack of Lamb in a PAMA reduction stuffed with goat cheese and roasted with parsnips, potatoes and carrots. And a PAMA Gelato with Dark Chocolate Chips.



Nick's PAMA Potpourri includes Quail with a PAMA marinade with relish, fig, feta and pine nuts. Chicken with a PAMA marinade added to the pan then roasted and topped with a PAMA cream reduction and served with jasmine rice with cucumber and PAMA slaw.



AND THE WINNER IS!!!!! ALIJA and his Lamb Chops and PAMA Gelato! CONGRATS ALIJA!


The Participants!


Thank you to all who participated! it was a lot of fun and very delicious! Hope to do it again soon...

Monday, February 8, 2010

Coaches vs. Cancer Event at Post St. Ale House!

Over the weekend the Post St. Ale House, located in our sister property Hotel Lusso, hosted a mini Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser. From 12-5pm 20 percent of all proceeds went towards Coaches vs. Cancer-Spokane. The fundraiser was held during the Gonzaga-Memphis game (which Gonzaga won!) and patrons enjoyed watching the game while local celebrity bartenders and waiters served them.

Here are some photos from the event:

The celebrity judges included former Gonzaga Basketball Players
and local news anchors/reports and radio show hosts.


That's Cat Country's Big Cat Daddy and Former Zag Jeff Brown behind the bar.


Kid's and families all had a great time cheering on the Zags munching on some great Ale House Food!


Tim Lewis (KREM), Dana Haynes (KHQ/Fox) and Derek Deis (KXLY) all put their "station rivalries" aside and helped serve food and drinks to to the patrons!


A few good Zag fans!

Thank you for all who came out and supported the cause. The event raised almost $600 to go Coaches vs. Cancer-Spokane...People were also writing checks at the bar directly to CvC!

Coaches vs. Cancer is a joint effort by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that empowers coaches, their teams and communities to help win the fight against cancer. Coaches vs Cancer Spokane has raised $3.9 million dollars in fundraising, $573,025 in camp scholarships and $157,500 for other local Spokane cancer fighting organizations.

If you would like to learn more about Coaches vs. Cancer-Spokane or to donate click here:
http://www.gucoachesvscancer.com/