Press
Inaugural "Broad Appétit" Food and Art Celebration to be Held Sunday, May 18 on the 100-300 Blocks of West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia (February 5, 2008) --- Richmond’s finest food and art will intersect at the inaugural Broad Appétit event slated to take place on three blocks of West Broad Street on Sunday May 18, 2008 from noon to 5:00 pm.
"This event will truly combine the "art of food" and "food as art" in as many ways, shapes and forms as our wonderfully creative community can imagine" quotes Kathy Emerson of Quirk Gallery, the dream weaver behind the event.
The inaugural Broad Appétit Food Festival will feature Richmond’s favorite food purveyors, restaurants, chefs, cart vendors and artisans. The event is free to the public and is designed to feed one’s mind, soul and body with an eclectic mix of crafts and art, offerings from twenty of Richmond’s favorite chefs, and a huge kids' area complete with original food-related entertainment and cool activities. A performing arts stage will host musical acts, unique food artists, and samplings from Richmond’s Centerstage Alliance groups. Our nation’s leading Bug Chefs, David George Gordon, Bug Chef from Seattle, Washington and David Gracer, Bug Chef from Providence, Rhode Island will compete, thrill and mesmerize the crowds with their ability to make grasshoppers and snails into a meal.
Renowned author and food revolution leader, Joel Salatin from Virginia’s own Polyface Farms, Inc. will be on hand to discuss the Polyface founding principle that the ultimate safe and secure food supply is the one growing in your own community. Joel was excited to be involved in this inaugural event stating "celebrating local food and its answers to food fears, this event applauds relationships between good producers, culinary artists, and integrity food aficionados." We couldn't agree more.
Added to the sheer fun, there are business objectives behind its inception. Broad Appétit stands to be a galvanizing event for the revitalization efforts of the Downtown/Broad Street corridor and has the support of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, as well as Philip Morris, Ukrops/First Market Bank, Dominion and Venture Richmond. "Clearly these parties see the value in growing the awareness of the restaurants and galleries in this area beyond the wildly successful First Fridays Artwalk," mentions Kathy Emerson. The event hopes to further foster economic development by providing tours of several Downtown real estate properties during the event hours.
Broad Appétit is excited to launch the Annual "To Die For" Contest to be awarded to the chef who prepares the most delectable item on the event menu. A panel of judges, as well as general public will cast their vote for this soon to be highly coveted award.
The WHODUNNIT? Secret Art Show is an invitational exhibition of work by 75 artists. All exhibited works will be originals in a 6" x 9" format and will sell for the fixed price of $50.00 (all work will be signed on the back; anonymity is the key). The name of the artist for each work is kept secret during the exhibition, only to be revealed at the completion of the sale. The work will be on view, during a private reception, at Quirk Gallery on Saturday, May 17 from 6pm to 9pm. On Sunday, May 18, the work will be sold at Quirk Gallery (noon - 5pm) during Broad Appétit. Whether the piece is by a well-known or emerging artist is anyone's guess.
And Richmonders can look forward to years to come of this fantastic culinary experience as it is being organized and primed for growth that will include more of Richmond's eats, on more if its streets!
