On Sunday, August 8, Chef Lata is joining 26 other top chefs from the Southeast for the 2nd Annual "Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival" at JCT. Kitchen in Atlanta, which is a benefit for Georgia Organics. Mike will be partnered with a local Georgia farmer to prepare a summer tomato dish, which will be judged by a panel that includes Kate Krader (Food & Wine) and Andrew Knowlton (Bon Appetit). The winner will be crowned "Tomato King or Queen" and will have bragging rights until next year's event.
If you've tasted the tomato tart-tatin on FIG's menu right now, you will agree that he has a good shot at the competition. And if you haven't tasted it yet, get yourself to FIG as soon as possible, while the Johns Island tomatoes are fire-engine red and bursting with flavor--you don't want to miss this dish!
The event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. and ticketsare $45 for GO members and $50 for the public. To buy tickets or for more info, visit www.georgiaorganics.com.
Mike is gearing up for the 2nd Annual Louie's Kids Big Chef/Little Chef competition on Thursday, June 17 at Lowndes Grove Plantation. Louie's Kids is a local non-profit that raises money to help treat childhood obesity, and the purpose of this event is to show that good and wholesome food can be inexpensive, delicious and attainable for all. Mike will be paired with a Louie's Kids student and together they will prepare a healthy dish to be judged at the event. The panel of judges will include Marvin Woods, an Emmy-nominated t.v. host, chef and author; Heba Salama and Ed Brantley, Biggest Loser season 6 finalists; and Ryan Nelson, local t.v. personality.
"I'm daunted by this crisis and astounded how close to home this is for all of us," said Mike Lata in a recent interview. "As chefs, we have the platform and opportunity to educate a world of kids about food."
Big Chef/Little Chef will take place at Lowndes Grove from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door. Music will be providedby Hank Futch of the Blue Dogs. Hope you will join us there!
We had the honor this past Sunday of taking part in the first annual Lowcountry Field Feast, a farm fieldtrip and dinner to benefit Lowcountry Local First.
Last night, we hosted a few of the cast members and producers from the show Army Wives, which is filmed in Charleston and airs on Lifetime. Actors Brigid Brannagh, who plays Pamela Moran on the show, and Brian McNamara, who plays Michael Holden, were here filming behind-the-scenes footage for the Season 3 DVD, which comes out next summer. Both Brigid and Brian had been in several times before and tell us they love FIG, so it was fun to have them. Mike and server Sam gave them the royal treatment--they devoured the Tomato Tart-Tatin, Cucumber Soup, Pig's Trotters, Snapper and bar whiz Mike Ward's Blackberry Mojitos. I don't think any of us were scouted to move to LA and get into the film biz, but it was cool to have them nonetheless. Be sure to check us out on DVD next June!
