A Cook's Tour - Buffalo
A Cook's Tour - Buffalo
Tasting Buffalo for a Cause
What could be better than sampling the culinary creations from some of the area’s best restaurants and chefs while supporting a charitable organization?
This past week, Jeff and I attended A Cook’s Tour - Buffalo, a fundraising event hosted by Family Meal Hospitality Trust. “A Cook’s Tour raises proceeds to support Western New York hospitality workers in need through a celebration of the life of noted celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain.” (description from organization’s website)
While you may have missed it this year, this is your heads-up to look for it 2025. This was the event’s fifth year and our first time attending. Over 30 local culinary professionals were in attendance, offering up a taste of their fare. A cash bar, a silent auction, and a live auction of chef’s services were additional ways to support beyond the ticket price at the door which included two complementary drink tickets.
To give you a little taste of the event, I’ve decided to share some of our favorite highlights, all from businesses that we had not previously discovered.
Our first bite of the tour was grilled wagyu tri tip steak with Thai peanut noodle salad from Britesmith Brewing. Jeff couldn’t be more excited as he exclaimed, “Tri tip?!” Well, shame on me for overlooking breweries in my culinary adventures. I had, perhaps incorrectly, assumed that the food menus would be sparse, taking a backseat to the beverages at breweries. One succulent bite of this sample had me realizing that might be amateur thinking.
Exploring their menu online, I didn’t find the tri tip but that Thai peanut noodle salad was included on their regular menu. Located at 5611 Main St in Williamsville, Britesmith Brewing, features a menu of specials, shared plates, dips & chips, handhelds, wood fired Neapolitan pizza, salads, sides and desserts. Mind blown. Check out that menu on their website. And?—they are open for brunch on both Saturday and Sundays.
Approaching the table for Casa Azul, I was the one to read the description out loud, “Mushroom & poblano tostada; mushroom mix sauteed in black garlic butter and mezcal, mint cilantro and pepita pesto, requeson [cheese] and candied pepitas.” Jeff commented that this was right up my alley and he was correct. I love anything with mushrooms and despite my struggle to digest most peppers, poblanos are the one variety that seems to agree with me. We are usually not big fans of tostadas as we find them awkward to eat. But these little guys were the perfect size and the tortillas held up well.
Starters such as oxtail taquitos, taco trios, desserts, and house specialties including pork belly tostadas, are offered at Casa Azul, 91 Allen Street in Buffalo.
Living in the neighborhood about a decade ago, this restaurant wouldn’t have escaped my notice this long. Needless to say, Casa Azul is now on our to-try list.
I don’t believe I have ever enjoyed a desert, let alone a piece of cake, as much as I did that beautiful bite above. Flambéed berries, torched meringue, and toasted almonds topped a tiny taste of dense almond cake, presented by Sweet Pea Bakery. I sheepishly asked if I may have a second and whispered to Jeff that THIS is what I want for my birthday.
Located at 206 Lake Street in Hamburg, I give myself a pass for having missed this business until now, as my travels may take me through, but rarely stopping in the south towns. This changes now.
I’m happy to learn that Sweet Pea Bakery is not just a bakery, but offers breakfast and lunch items such as soups, sandwiches, and wraps with the availability of seating. This means we can make the trip, eat there, and take some sweet treats to go.
In addition to being the creator of my now favorite dessert, Sweet Pea Bakery is home to a designated gluten free kitchen. Their breakfast and lunch items, as well as all flavors of their cakes and cupcakes, can be made or ordered gluten free.
Did you attend, A Cooks Tour - Buffalo? What was your favorite bite?