Tower Bridge Dinner 2018

Darrell Corti, eight of his guests, and I attended this year's Tower Bridge Dinner held on Sunday September 30, 2018

Created and executed by Visit Sacramento, the Tower Bridge Dinner serves as the September Farm-to-Fork Celebration’s finale. Over 850 guests enjoyed a locally sourced dinner at one of the region’s best-known landmarks. The dinner is designed to showcase the region’s culinary and agricultural diversity for residents, businesses and potential visitors across the country. The inaugural Tower Bridge Dinner was held in 2013. Now in its sixth year, this one-of-a-kind dining experience has evolved to become the Sacramento region’s most anticipated culinary event. In addition to its role as one of the region’s most anticipated food events, the Tower Bridge Dinner serves as a critical fundraiser, with a portion of the proceeds helping to pay for the free Farm-to-Fork Festival on Capitol Mall that attracted more than 80,000 people in 2018. Beginning last year, Visit Sacramento also utilizes a portion of the proceeds to fund the first in a series of scholarships for CAMP students, children of migrant farm workers, at California State University Sacramento.

The event began at 4:30pm with appetizers prepared by local chefs Bill Ngo of Kru, Anthony Scuderi of Hook & Ladder, Dane Blom or Grange, Jason Azevedo of Alaro, Marques Ochoa of Hale, Tony Barajas of Savory Cafe, Sam Marvin of Echo and Rig, Patrick Prager of Revival st the Sawyer, Casey Shideler of Taylor's Kitchen, Santana Diaz of UC Davis, and Oliver Ridgeway of Camden & Spit. Wine and Beer was served by Casino Mine Ranch, Revolution, Serendipity, Gros Ventre, Haarmeyer, Terre Rouge, Berryessa Brewing, Moska, Porchlight, Renwood, and Bogle.

The featured chef was Jeremiah Tower who is internationally known for his culinary genius and is recognized as one of the true pioneers of California cuisine. Chef Tower spoke very graciously about Sacramento calling our region the place for sourcing wonderful food. He also moved about the dinner and interacted with guests like he was one of our own. Chef Tower you were without question a perfect fit for this event!

www.farmtofork.com/jeremiah-tower

The lead chefs of the dinner were Kathi Riley-Smith of American River College, Brad Cecchi of Canon, Ed Roehr of Magpie, and Ravin Patel of Selland's.

www.farmtofork.com/s/tower-bridge-dinner/lead-chefs

The Menu

Upper Crust rolls, Olive Oil & Cultured Butter

Summer Squash, Blistered Peppers, Sesame Seed Gremolata, Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Eggplant

Smoked Sturgeon, Lemon Cucumber Salad, Russian Caviar Sauce, Remoulade Sauce Sturgeon Skin Chicharron

Confit Leg and Roasted Breast of Duck, Mahogany and Black Rice, Cardamom and Black Pepper Roasted Figs, Charred Grapes in Late Harvest Zinfandel

Tomato Confit, Heirloom Bean Gratin, Braised Lamb Shoulder, Roasted Cipollini Onions, Salsa Verde

Ricottage Cheese, Preserved Peaches with Lemon Verbina, Chicories and baked Pears, Preserved Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette, Tomato Oil Crackers.

Darrell brought along some wine for our table. Here's what we drank;

-2016 Domaine Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes Blanc Magnum,

-2005 Corti Brothers Illa Pinot Noir Magnum

-2010 Corti Brothers Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum

-1986 Harbor Mission Del Sol Magnum

-1963 Dow Vintage Port Magnum

For a look at the featured farms and vendors, please follow the link

www.farmtofork.com/tower-bridge-dinner/featured-farms

Dinner was delicious and extremely well executed considering the logistics of preparing and serving over 850 people on a functioning maritime bridge. Thank you to the chefs and staff who made it all possible. Truly a signature Sacramento experience!