Culinary Class February 10^th at 6:30

Johnny's Italian Steakhouse will host a culinary class on February 10^th at  6:30pm.  Participants will learn expert tips from top notch chefs and will be given an opportunity to sample Johnny's Signature Bruschetta with whipped goat  cheese.  In addition, a door prize, such as meal certificates, will be drawn at the conclusion of the class.  The cooking class is $10 to the public and includes bruschetta samples and a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage.

For more information or to sign up, please call Johnny's Italian Steakhouse at 309.736.0100.

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A local foods breakfast prepared and sponsored by the Quad City Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local will be served Saturday February 13th from 9-11am at Nan's Piano Bar, 421 W River Drive, Davenport, IA.  Local ingredients from area Buy Fresh Buy local farmers will be used to create a delicious, exclusive breakfast menu.  Stuffed French toast, crepes, egg strata, roasted potatoes, steel-cut oatmeal and more will be served. Dishes will be prepared with local Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Potatoes, Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Honey, Oats and more.

A delectable Buy Fresh Buy Local pastry table will complete this charming Valentine's breakfast.

Last fall in Washington D.C. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan launched a new USDA initiative, 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' to build up a national conversation about developing local and regional food systems and finding ways to support small and mid-sized farms. www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer

Right here in the Quad Cities Buy Fresh Buy Local is helping to connect people to local growers and producers.  "Buying locally produced foods is good for our local economy, good for the environment and good for your health.  Plus it tastes great," states Phil Crandall Buy Fresh Buy Local-Quad Cities Chapter Director.  Quad City Buy Fresh Buy Local works to educate consumers about local food choices available to them. They annually print a directory of area Buy Fresh Buy Local members and host a variety of events and educational classes about local food.

"It's a Labor of Love," states Buy Fresh Buy Local member Cathy Lafrenz, "Buy Fresh Buy Local farmers work the land to bring the freshest, most delicious, locally grown and produced foods to the people of the Quad Cities.

Tickets to the Buy Fresh Buy Local Valentine's Breakfast are $12.50 each.  All proceeds benefit the Quad Cities Chapter of Buy Fresh Buy Local. Seating is limited through advanced ticket sales. Tickets are available at the Buy Fresh Buy Local booth at the Freight House Farmers market on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm or through Phil Crandall email pcrandall@crandallfarms.com or call 309-799-7420 or go to www.bfblqc.org

Buy Fresh Buy Local members contributing to the Breakfast menu include :

Geest Farms-Blue Grass, Iowa

Allens Grove Greenhouse-Donahue, IA

Miss Effie's Country Flowers & Eggs-Donahue, IA

Crandall Farms-Coal Valley, IL

The Bakery,-Bettendorf, IA

Heilman Hawkeye Acres Organic Farm-Gooselake, IA

Oak Hill Acres Organic Farm- Atalissa, IA

Nostalgia Farms-Walcott, IA

Blossom Farms-Fulton, IL

Rhonda's Garden-Davenport, IA

The Iowa Machine Shed is giving away a new 2010 Ford Focus

The Machine Shed is upping the ante in the restaurant business and rewarding their loyal customers with a chance to win a new car.  "We want to thank all of our loyal guests and try something new - we're giving away a new 2010 Ford Focus - how cool is that!" states Mike Whalen, owner of the Machine Shed.  "I was talking with our staff and said 'we should give away a car to our guests' and we worked with our business partners to make it happen".  Machine Shed partners include Lindquist Ford, Clinton Auto Group and the local media.  Guests can come into the Machine Shed or Lindquist Ford/Clinton Auto Group and simply sign up to win, no purchase is necessary.  100 finalists will be drawn by March 20th, 2010.  On Saturday, March 27th at 2PM each of the 100 finalists will receive one key and only one key open the car door.  Someone will be declared a winner!  Whalen continues, "Driving home in a new car - now that's worth a visit to the Machine Shed!"

For more information and rules, please visit www.machineshed.com/davenport. The Machine Shed is located at I-80 and Northwest Blvd in Davenport, IA 52806.

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A Benefit Supporting the American Red Cross on Tuesday, February 16th from 5-8pm

Mardi Gras Rajun Cajun Fest will be in full swing on Fat Tuesday, February 20th. This ticketed event raises much-needed funds for the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities.

Local chefs from Thunder Bay, The Machine Shed, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, Biaggi's, Black Watch Room, Blue Cat Bew Pub, Heritage Woods Senior Living Communities & Lighthouse, Mo' Betta BBQ, Park Vista Retirement Living, Riply Street Bar & Grille, The Button Factory, and Zbest Café, will be creating sample portions of Cajun style appetizers, entrée's and desserts. They will also be competing in a People's Choice Award, which will be voted on by those in attendance. All proceeds from this event go directly to the American Red Cross of the Quad Cities.

The event is open to the public and will be held Tuesday, February 16th from 5pm -8pm at Thunder Bay Grille, Davenport. Tickets are $20 or 2 for $35 in advance and are available for purchase at Thunder Bay Grille (located I-80 and Brady St, Davenport), or the American Red Cross prior to the event. Due to limited space, tickets are only available by advanced purchase. Don't miss out on your chance to taste some of the best Cajun creations around!

For more information contact Thunder Bay at 563-386-2722.

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