Excitement about the Starkville Area Arts Council”s StarShine is building. With a cooking demonstration, local celebrity chef cook-offs, and one of the South”s top chefs, Robert St. John, the event is sure to deliver delicious results.
All three events take place Aug. 7-8 at The Bistro in downtown Starkville.
Bistro owner Mike Reilly expressed his excitement about the event: “We”re thrilled! We think it”s going to be a really fun event, and we are all excited about having Robert St. John here.
“I know that from a facility standpoint, we have enough space to have it set up to where everything will be displayed really well, and it will be easy for people to participate and see what the chefs are doing.”
The celebrity chef cook-off will feature some of the area”s finest. Bob Abare (Aramark), Gregg Frazer (Harvey”s), Vicki Leach (Viking), Matt Reid and Justin James (The Bistro), Ty Thames (Restaurant Tyler) and Jay Yates (The Veranda) will all be competing in categories of Best Food, Best Presentation and the coveted Best of StarShine. A panel of celebrity chefs will judge, with the final award determined by the attendees” votes.
Chainsaw, a local jazz and blues quartet, will entertain. This in-your-face combo is composed of Dusty and Dustin Parker, Bill Bryson and Keith Spivey.
The cooking demonstration Aug. 8 with Chef St. John is sure to inspire new ideas in the kitchen. Each attendee will receive an autographed cookbook and recipes, and will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the chef. The menu includes shrimp bisque, crabmeat Holloman, baked shrimp and squash and white chocolate bread pudding.
Maria-Julie Etua will emcee that evening”s four-course meal with wine pairings. St. John will prepare corn and crab bisque, sensation salad, roasted pork loin with muscadine glaze, fresh asparagus, au gratin potatoes and white chocolate bread pudding for dessert.
A live auction, with auctioneer Stuart Etter, concludes the Saturday festivities. Up for auction this year is a Destin vacation. Chefs Leach, Abare and Jennifer Frazer (LeTruck) will also offer their cooking services.
Starkville Area Arts Council member artists will display their art throughout The Bistro.
For more StarShine information, or to make reservations, contact the Starkville Area Arts Council office at 662-324-3080 or e-mail [email protected].
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