Food Fun: BSA Space's 6th Annual Gingerbread Design Competition

Now in its sixth year, the Gingerbread Design Competition is a fun and tasty way to highlight the delicious talents of Boston landscape and architecture firms. While challenging designers to explore a new medium, this sweet event also raises funds for community design programs of the BSA Foundation.

This year’s theme is “Innovations and Firsts," celebrating 150 years of Boston as a hub of innovation.

As in previous years, there will be an “auction” during the first week of the Gingerbread exhibition, raising funds for the BSA Foundation’s community design programs. The close of the auction will be celebrated at a public reception on Monday, December 18, 2017. Guest judges Brendan Ciecko (Founder, Cuseum), Louise Kennedy (Senior Arts Producer, WBUR), and Sarah Kennedy (Service Manager, No.9 Park) will be announcing their favorite entries at the reception, as well as awarding the Golden Spatula and Golden Whisk to the designs that are most beloved by the public.

Vote for your favorite gingerbread house now! Voting will be open until midnight on December 31, 2017.

Join the BSA Foundation for the Gingerbread Reception to view 15 gingerbread designs from teams of architecture and landscape architecture firms on exhibition, enjoy light refreshments, and celebrate the incredible bakers on Monday, Decmber 18, 2017 at 6:00 pm.

Essential dates for 2017:

October 17—Open call for participants issued
November 20—Registration deadline
December 7—Gingerbread creations dropped off at BSA Space by firms
December 11—Gingerbread exhibition opens at BSA Space; auction open
December 16—Family Design Day: Gingerbread
December 18—Public reception; auction close
December 31—Exhibition closes at BSA Space; firms pick up their creations

Source: Architecture

Name the Pumpking 2017

Weighing in at 575 lbs, 801 lbs, and a mighty 1065 lbs, the great pumpkins have arrived at Boston Public Market and they need names!

The trio are located in the corner of the BPM by Bonme.  Stop by and fill out a slip with your submissions.

Food for Others: Canstruction Boston 2017

Feast your eyes on Folklore, Fairy Tales, and Mythical Creatures—made from canned goods!

October 8–27th 2017
BSA | Space & the Atlantic Wharf Building
280-290 Congress Street
Free and open to the public.

Canstruction® is a unique nonprofit organization that holds annual design-build competitions to construct unique, colossal structures made entirely from canned goods. Founded in 1992, Canstruction’s mission is to highlight the issue of hunger and food insecurity across communities, collect food for distribution to thousands, and to showcase the creativity of the design industry. The Boston Chapter of Canstruction was founded in 1995 and has been going strong ever since.

The 22nd Annual Canstruction Boston charity event is one where various architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the Greater Boston area compete in building sculptures made entirely of canned goods. These canned good sculptures were built in mid-October and are up for display at the BSA Space within Atlantic Wharf, the 2017 Canstruction Boston host, through the end of October. After the sculptures are dismantled, all the canned goods will be donated to a local food bank.

We’re happy to announce that the Merrimack Valley Food Bank based out of Lowell, Massachusetts will again be the recipient of our canned food donation.

Canstruction Boston Timeline

Build out:  Saturday, October 7, 2017
Judging and Official Opening:  Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Awards + Thank You Party:  Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Decanstruction:  Saturday, October 28, 2017

This year’s event can be found within the spaces at 280 and 290 Congress Street in Boston as well as within the South Station train terminal just around the corner from our main exhibit at the BSA | Space (280 Congress Street).

Source: Canstruction Boston

The 2017 Pint Slice Tour

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and free ice cream called.  I knew that the Ben & Jerry's Pint Slice Tour was here in Boston and they were scheduled to give away the goods at the Greenway till 5pm.

My walk to the Greenway Open Market on State Street led me to hit and surpass 10,000 steps, which for me is quite a feat!  There was a line, but it didn't look bad at all.

When my turn came, I spun the virtual wheel and was awarded their Americone Dream Pint Slice - Vanilla Ice Cream Bar with Caramel Swirls & Fudge Covered Waffle Cone Pieces, Covered in a Dark Chocolate Coating with Waffle Cone Pieces.

Just what I wanted!  And it was good, and a nice treat!  Basically a petite round Klondike Bar with tasty add ins.

They are scheduled to be in Chicago this upcoming weekend.  And if you reside in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, or Miami, they'll be headed your way too!  Just check their website for more information.

Culinary Fight Club: Steak Edition Boston

A Culinary Fight Club took place in the patio by the pool at BOKX 109 American Prime located in the Hotel Indigo Boston-Newton by the Riverside MBTA station one lovely warm summer evening.  With each $25 ticket, you received beer and noshes, in the form of an open bar and passed appetizers, and the opportunity to sample the dishes that have been produced before your very eyes over the past 60 minutes.

 On our night's event, the focus was steak, and the competitors were 6, coming from as near as Watertown and Waltham, Mass, to as far north as Portsmouth, NH.  Each team was provided with a grill - though not all were at 100% - a huge hunk of cow, a specific type of mushroom, and given a short time to "shop" at a table piled high with additional supplies before the countdown began.

Despite the stressful conditions, the competitors were friendly and willing to interact with inquisitive onlookers.  The most interesting sight was the creation of mushroom ravioli, each filled with a whole egg yolk!

The people's choice was announced first - Drew Blanckenberg, executive chef of Cricket Cafe & Catering.  His team had made the ravioli, which accompanied the most tender steak of the evening.

Then came the announcement for the judges' choice - Drew and his team again!  The honor of second place went to Mike Fucci of Chef Mike's Catering.

To celebrate, Drew tossed one of his sous chefs into the pool as (it seemed) per an agreement she had made with his daughter.

It was a fun evening out as a guest of the Culinary Fight Club.  Thanks so much!

Scooper Bowl 2017

The 35th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is will be  here in about a month.  For a dollar discount off the $10 adult admission to the all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, text SUN to 56512!

Buy early and save!  Tickets bought in advance are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 3 – 9, while kids under 3 are free.  As of the day of the event, ticket prices go up to $15 for adults, $10 for ages 3 – 9, and kids under 3 are free.  If you want to go more than once, purchase a $20 Scooper Pass and attend the Scooper Bowl up to three times.

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

June 6 – 8, 2017

Noon – 8:00 p.m.

City Hall Plaza, Boston

Starbucks Happy Hour 2017!

I'm not a coffee drinker, though I know many who are.  But Starbucks most recent deal peaks even my interest!

From May 5 - 14
From 3pm - 6pm
Half off any Frappaccino blended beverage

Yeah, Happy Hour Starbucks style!

App Find: GoPapaya

I was at a restaurant for dinner one evening several months ago and noticed that they were advertising this new-to-me app called GoPapaya.  When I got home, I hopped online to check it out.

From the point of view of a diner, as a last minute reservation system, GoPapaya gives me the opportunity to see if there are any restaurants offering a discount to get me to eat there tonight.  Within a half hour, to be precise.  When I'm feeling rather flexible (or when I'm being a procrastinator), this is a terrific app to have!

On the other side of things, GoPapaya helps the restaurants that it partners with to offer potential customers a temporary special deal in the hopes of filling their seats during downtimes, when things just aren't at busy as they would like it.

I have since used GoPapaya a handful of times, most often in a neighborhood with several partner restaurants within walking distance.  I pull up GoPapaya, take a look to see who is currently offering a discount, refer to the menus if necessary, make the reservation I prefer, and off I go to yet another discounted meal!

Last week, GoPapaya widened its repertoire with a newly launched take-out feature offering discounted takeout!  And to celebrate, they are offering a free entree ($20 max) on our first GoPapaya takeout through May 8th.

Well, actually, I already got reimbursed for mine... I emailed them (rewards@gopapaya.mobi, subject: Free entree) a picture of my receipt from my first GoPapaya take out order (deadline for this action - May 8th), and they've already sent me a PayPal payment (alternatively you may opt for an Amazon gift card) for the full amount.

If the thought of free or discounted food has peaked your interest, if you like, when you register, you may also use my referral/invitation code (VIV5771) to get credited $10 in Rewards.  In turn, this will also earn me $10 in Rewards.

Rewards may be redeemed for either Amazon gift cards or PayPal payments once you accrue a minimum of $10.  Usage of the app will also earn you Rewards credit, so fear not if you don't want to invite anyone, or if you just want to keep this app to yourself.

Additional info:
GoPapaya is available for free both on GooglePlay and iTunes
Reservations for Parties of up to 6, depending on the restaurant
No Credit Card Needed
Discount does not apply on Alcohol - because we're in Massachusetts
Oh, only in vicinity of Boston currently
GoPapaya's website
Boston Globe Article about GoPapaya

Free Cone Day 2017!

With April comes the much anticipated annual Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day!

This year, with it also came April Showers.

The shop at Boston Park Plaza shuttered last year, so the most feasible location was the store on Newbury Street.  I figured that perhaps the rain would keep the crowds away, and decided that a run was in order during my lunch break.

Still, I was lucky.  I scored my free scoop after but a 4 minute wait, and when I headed out, there was a line perhaps 25 people deep leading to the entrance.

Noon - 8pm, the first Tuesday in April

Thanks Ben & Jerry's!

The Boston Public Market Kitchen

Chef Vanessa

The Kitchen at The Boston Public Market hosts a variety of programs including cooking lessons and workshops.  Many of them are for a fee ranging somewhere between $9-$60, with a discount for Members.

Chef Vanessa

However, they also offer a free weekly cooking demo on Thursdays sponsored by Project Bread, which focuses on fast, fresh and delicious recipes.  These demos are led by Chef Vanessa Labranche, who is happy to chat with the audience as she prepares the day's recipe, although Chef Guy Koppe was a capable substitute one week.

Chef Guy

Through these demos, I found myself not only sampling, but enjoying, dishes such as West African Chicken Peanut Stew, Red Beans in Coconut Sauce, and Soba Noodles with Stir Fried Vegetables.

Red Beans in Coconut Sauce

West African Chicken Peanut Stew

Recipes are not pre-announced, so come with a curious mind and an adventuresome palate.

Soba Noodles with Stir Fried Vegetables

Food Find: Mochi by the Piece!

When I was in elementary school, one of the books they had us read took place in Japan.  And a character was longing for ice cream.  But what was presented looked nothing whatsoever like ice cream.  Yet ice cream it was!  This was my first introduction to mochi.

Mochi is generally a Japanese rice cake made out of pounded glutinous rice, sugar, and water.  It can be filled with sweet ingredients or be made savory.  The kind of which I speak, however, are small and filled with balls of flavored ice cream.

The first mass produced brand I became familiar with as an adult is Mikawaya, in its familiar yellow and black box.  Let it sit at room temperature for a bit so that the ice cream center softens up, and enjoy!

Imagine my surprise when I found out that there were actual Mikawaya stores out in California that sold a wide variety of flavors at ready to enjoy consistency!

Well, it turns out there are more brands out there!  Among them: Bubbies of Hawaii, Maeda-en of California (though a transplant from Texas), and Mochidoki of New Jersey.

A new mochi source has just entered the fray, however, although I do not yet know the manufacturer of their frozen dessert balls - Whole Foods!

I had recently read an article that mentioned that Whole Foods was in the process of adding self-serve mochi bars to their stores, starting with California and Chicago.  So I was excited when I happened upon one of these freezer cases already in the prepared foods section of a local Whole Foods in Boston, South End.

Self-Serve Mochi at Whole Foods

Pricing: 1 for $1.99, 6 for $9.99, or 13 for $20.

Flavors of the day were: Black Sesame, Vanilla Bean, Sweet Mango, Red Bean, Strawberry, Green Tea, Matcha Green Tea, Double Chocolate, and Kona Coffee.

Food Service: The Foodery Boston

While taking one of my infrequent walks around the Boston Public Market, I happened upon something new - The Foodery Boston.  A short chat with the fella stationed there revealed that they were only going to be there this week, if you stop by and give them your email you can get $20 off, and unlike services such as Blue Apron, this delivery service brings you meals fully cooked and refrigerated with Sunday only delivery.  No subscription required.

A quick online search pulled up a few similar services:

Send A Meal - food delivered frozen across the nation (all 50 states) though they are based in Austin, TX

Home Bistro - flash frozen and delivered within the contiguous United States, reheated within 10 minutes

Munchery - cooking kits are shipped nationwide, however their prepared meals are delivered chilled and only available in 4 membership areas at this time: San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and LA.

Healthy Chef Creations - food delivered fresh either by the meal plan with free ship, or a la carte

Freshly - delivered in refrigerated boxes to a current count of 29 states, with a new kitchen facility opening in the East Coast sometime in the year 2017

Magic Kitchen - food delivered frozen, ordered a la carte or by meal program

22 Days Nutrition - a vegan meal delivery service, delivered fresh never frozen on Fridays nationwide

Fresh n' Lean - organic meals delivered fresh on Friday via UPS or FedEx

Metabolic Meals - healthy gluten-free meals prepared in St. Louis Missouri, shipped fresh to all 48 contiguous states

Local competitors however include:

Cuisine en Locale - 1 week = 4 meals for 2, available for pick up or local bike delivery for $20 on Friday

Cooking from the Heart - healthy meals delivered fresh in pyrex (unless single serve) with a $45 order minimum

Macro-Mediterranean Holistic Nutrition Ltd - Nationwide shipping of fresh and fresh-frozen foods