AUGUST FUNDRAISING BBQ

Gluten-free food entrepreneur Vanessa Tayler Phillips and Celiac Chick Kelly Courson recently teamed up to organize an all-you-can-eat BBQ fundraiser to be held in Sunnyside (some say Astoria) from 3pm to 7pm on Saturday, August 9, 2008.

Foodwise, we're talking hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, mac 'n' cheese, potato salad, cole slaw, and watermelon. The buns will be from the Grainless Baker. In addition, you can expect desserts from gluten-free bakeries and goodie bags including samples from Mary's Gone Crackers as well as a 15%-off coupon for Friedman's Delicatessen, the Chelsea Market eaterie where Vanessa has been working to accommodate gluten-free noshers.

As for drinks, there will be a full pay-as-you-go bar including Redbridge beer. In fact, the location is a bar, Mickey John's, where a grill will be set up for this occasion. Kids will be welcome until 7pm.

Admission is $30 for the event, which will benefit the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University (CDCCU). RSVPs are required by Saturday, August 3. For more information, go to this CeliacChicks post.

DECEMBER EVENTS

Here are two upcoming events in addition to the Holiday Cooking Class fundraiser scheduled for Monday, December 2, 2007 and the Westchester Celiac Sprue Support Group meeting scheduled for Sunday, December 9, 2007.

Both of the following events are fundraisers for the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA).

Lest you think this is just another boring event post, check out the videos at the end. They feature exciting footage of two celebrities involved in the second event. Wowee!

Raising Our Celiac Kids (ROCK) Holiday Party
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Morris County Library (less than a 5-minute cab ride from the Morristown train station)
30 E. Hanover Avenue
Whippany, NJ
6:00 to 8:30 pm
This event features a magician and some great vendor sampling. Joan's GF Great Bakes will bring bagels and English muffins and pre-orders. You can also order items right away (by day's end November 29) at Joan's website, choosing the "no shipping" option and putting "Dec. 5 ROCK event" in the comments section. (Sorry if I'm late in posting this—I suppose you can always contact the bakery and beg....)

Preorders are also available from Everybody Eats, which will bring samples of pizza, baguettes, cinnamon buns, and chocolate chip cookies.

Other vendors: Conte's Pasta (ravioli, pierogies, and other Italian specialties), Gluten Free Joy (local GF catering company with dishes including manicotti and macaroni & cheese), The Grainless Baker (featuring graham crackers and muffins), Cinderella's Sweets/Shabtai (kosher treats that are gluten, casein, lactose, soy & dairy free), Celiac Specialties (featuring donut holes), Blackwell's Organic (gelato and fruit sorbetto), Food Allergy Gourmet (holiday sugar and gingerbread cookies), and some place called Whole Foods (GF Bakehouse pie crust and sandwich bread).

Through December 11, 2007, you can also help to raise money by purchasing kitchen stuff through vendor The Pampered Chef by following these directions: "If ordering any product, you will be asked whether you have been invited to a show. Put in 'ROCK' in the organization line and press the search button....you will then see the Morristown ROCK group listed on the left hand side. Click on this link and this way any product you order will be counted toward the NFCA fundraising event."


Gannascoli Winter Wonderland
Saturday, December 15, 2007
48 Davison Ave
East Rockaway, NY
6:00pm
Suggested Donation: $25

Joe Gannascoli—Vito from The Sopranos—and his family host a Winter Wonderland block party also featuring Kevin Covais from American Idol.

There will be food sampling, a cooking demonstration, and appearances from magicians and Mickey Mouse. Dress warmly!

Here's a 2006 Sopranos tour with a cooking demonstration from Joe Gannascoli.



Source (3:57)

And here's Kevin Covais auditioning for Idol.



Source (2:02)