Ice Cream Truck Battle to Be Held Today (April 5, 2013) in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A couple of ice cream trucks are returning to the Harvard Square section of Cambridge later today to duke it out in a battle of treats--and to raise money for a good cause in the process.

According to a Twitter post from @BostonTweet, the Ben & Jerry's and b.good ice cream trucks will be handing out ice cream and shakes, respectively, on Dunster Street from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with the b.good Facebook page saying that all proceeds will go to the b.good Family Foundation, which helps people bring about positive change in their communities. The truck that raises the most money (via suggested donations) will win the title of the "greatest ice cream truck in Cambridge," according to the Facebook post.

The battle takes place outside b.good's Harvard Square shop, which is at 24 Dunster Street.

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The Boston Globe Is Hosting an Irish Pubs Showdown Tournament

Some of you may have heard of The Boston Globe's Munch Madness, which has local dining spots facing off against each other in a voting bracket. Now the newspaper has a different kind of tournament, with this one focusing on St. Patrick's Day.

This week, the Globe has set up a "Boston Irish pubs showdown" that pits 32 pubs in the Boston area against each other, with readers voting for their favorites. The competition is now into the second round (16 pubs remaining), with such names as The Green Briar in Brighton, The Field in Cambridge, McGreevy's in the Back Bay, The Thirsty Scholar in Somerville, The Eire in Dorchester, and others in the running. Each round lasts one day, with the winner of the tournament being announced on Monday, March 18.

[March 15 update: Rounds two through four are in the books, with the tournament being down to the final two pubs.]

[March 18 update: The Boston Irish pubs showdown is over, with J.J. Foley's in Boston's South End winning the tournament. (See complete details via the link below.)]

The link to the Boston Irish pubs showdown is at:

http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/special/irish_pubs_bracket/

Thanks to BostonTweet for bringing this to our attention.

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Burrito Bowl III Is Coming to Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake February 2, 2013

A burrito competition returns once again to Boston's Back Bay in February, and as always, some the area's best-known chefs will be competing.

An email sent to us today indicates Burrito Bowl III will take place at Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake on Boylston street on Saturday, February 2, with hours being from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. The event will pit local chefs against each other to see who can create the best burrito, with Jose Duarte of Taranta, Eric Gburski of Estelle's Southern Cuisine, Andy Husbands of Tremont 647, Jason Hutchinson of Boloco, Brian Roche of Lolita (last year's winner), Josh Rush of Church, Shawn Russell of Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, and Brian Poe himself (Rattlesnake, Estelle's, Tip Tap Room) all participating. Each burrito will be served "bowl-style" and judged by attendees as well as special guest "referees."

Tickets to Burrito Bowl III cost $20 each and can be purchased at http://poesburritobowl3.eventbrite.com/

Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake is located at 384 Boylston Street in the Back Bay.


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Cambridge Brewing Wins CHOW's "Best Brewpub in America" Voting Competition

A national website that focuses on food and drink has just wrapped up a voting competition for the best brewpub in America, and a Boston-area spot is the bracket winner.

Last month, the CHOW site (which includes the popular Chowhound forum) set up a four-week-long bracket that included 16 competitors, one of which was Cambridge Brewing in the Kendall Square section of the city. The brewpub defeated the Southampton Publick House in Southampton, NY, Wrecking Bar in Atlanta, and Revolution Brewing in Chicago to make the finals, where it defeated Austin's North by Northwest to win the tournament.

Voters took into consideration food, atmosphere, and the creativity of the beer in their picks, according to CHOW.

To see the final voting results, please go to the CHOW link below:

Vote for the Best Brewpub in America!

[Earlier Article]
Cambridge Brewing Wins CHOW's "Best Brewpub in America" Voting Competition


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CHOW's "Best Brewpub in America" Voting Competition Includes Cambridge Brewing

A national website that focuses on food and drink has just begun a voting competition for the best brewpub in America, and the voting bracket includes a Boston-area spot.

The CHOW site (which includes the popular Chowhound forum) has set up a four-week-long bracket with 16 competitors included, one of which is Cambridge Brewing in Kendall Square. Voting began yesterday, with the first round ending on Tuesday, April 24. Rounds 2 and 3 will follow, with the "Final Battle" taking place from May 8 to May 15. Voters should take into consideration food, atmosphere, and the creativity of the beer, according to CHOW.

No other New England brewpubs made the grade, with the closest one being the Southampton Publick House in Southampton, NY (which happens to be facing Cambridge Brewing in Round 1).

[May 1 update: Cambridge Brewing bested Publick House in Round 1 and defeated Wrecking Bar (Atlanta) in Round 2; the brewpub is now facing Revolution Brewing (Chicago) in Round 3, which is the semifinals.]

[May 8 update: Cambridge Brewing defeated Chicago's Revolution Brewing in the semifinals and now goes on to face North by Northwest (Austin) in the finals. (Voting ends May 15.)]

For more information on the "Best Brewpub in America" voting competition (including how to vote), please go to the link below.

Pick the Best Brewpub in America!

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Ice Cream Truck Battle Coming to Boston's City Hall Plaza April 12, 2012

Last week, a couple of ice cream trucks battled it out in Cambridge's Harvard Square to raise money for a good cause. And this week, the same two trucks are at it again, this time competing in the heart of Boston.

A press release sent to us indicates that the Ben & Jerry's and b.good ice cream trucks are going to be having an ice cream truck battle at City Hall Plaza from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM tomorrow (Thursday, April 12) to raise money once again for Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations. Ice cream lovers who show up at the event will be encouraged to make donations while enjoying ice cream from Ben & Jerry's and milkshakes from b.good. The winner of the battle will be the truck that raises the most money.

Last Thursday in Harvard Square, Ben & Jerry's served up 1000 scoops of ice cream while b.good handed out 800 milkshakes.

If you would like more information on Back on My Feet, please go to the following link:

http://www.backonmyfeet.org/

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Boston Will Apparently Not Be Home to Top Chef for Season 10

It appears that the possibility of a food-based reality show coming to Boston are quickly fading.

The Boston Herald is reporting that attempts to bring Top Chef to Boston have apparently failed, with the show likely coming to Seattle or Portland, OR, instead. The article mentions that there was not enough cash raised for the show to come to the city, nor was there a sufficient sponsorship deal. The office of Mayor Menino had no comment, according to the Herald.

Over the past winter, word had been going around that Boston might be able to bring Bravo's cooking competition show to the city for Season 10, with Portland being another top possibility.

The website for Top Chef can be found at http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef

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Ice Cream Truck Battle Coming to Cambridge's Harvard Square Today

Ice cream lovers, take note--a battle between two ice cream trucks is coming to Harvard Square in Cambridge later today.

A press release sent to us indicates that the Ben & Jerry's and b.good ice cream trucks are going to be competing against each other from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM to raise money for Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating independence and self-sufficiency within the homeless and other underserved populations. Folks who come to the event will be encouraged to make donations while being treated to ice cream from Ben & Jerry's and milkshakes from b.good. The winner of the battle will be the truck that raises the most money.

The Ice Cream Truck battle will take place on Dunster Street, between the Ben & Jerry's and b.good outlets.

For more information on Back on My Feet, please go to the link below:

http://www.backonmyfeet.org/

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The 2012 Munch Madness Tournament Is On

A restaurant tournament that is loosely based on the NCAA's March Madness has returned to Boston.

The Boston Globe's Munch Madness 2012 competition is now up and running, with 64 local dining spots facing off against each other to see which one is the city's best. The bracket includes many restaurants that were part of last year's competition, along with some newcomers to the tourney. Last year, Hungry Mother in Cambridge defeated the East Coast Grill (also in Cambridge), with the other two to make the final four being Ten Tables in Jamaica Plain and Craigie on Main in Cambridge.

Round 1 voting will take place today and tomorrow, with Rounds 2 through 4 running through the next several days. The Final Four will be on March 29-30, with the championship being March 31-April 1. The winner will be announced on April 4.

For more information--including the initial matchups and the results of each round--please go to the Boston Globe link below.

http://www.boston.com/ae/restaurants/specials/munch_madness/2012/

[March 29 update: The Final Four are now in place for Munch Madness, with Hungry Mother (Cambridge) facing Highland Kitchen (Somerville) and Craigie on Main (Cambridge) facing Eastern Standard (Boston) in this round. (Please go to the Boston Globe link above for the results of each round so far.)]

[April 1 update: The Championship Round is taking place right now between Hungry Mother and Craigie on Main (both in Cambridge), with voting finishing up by the end of today (results will be announced on April 4).]

[April 4 update: Hungry Mother has won the 2012 Munch Madness tournament.]

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Third Annual Chili Cup Coming to Ned Devine's in Boston, February 16, 2012

A culinary event that features chili will be returning to Boston, and once again, a number of local dining spots will be taking part in the competition.

An email sent from The Briar Group indicates that the 3rd annual Chili Cup will be taking place at Ned Devine's in Boston's Faneuil Hall on Thursday, February 16 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The event will be featuring all-you-can-eat chili along with prizes and other specials. Competitors include The Baseball Tavern (who won last year), Dillon's, Flat Iron Tapas Bar & Lounge, Game On!, The Greatest Bar, The North Star, and others. The winner of the event (which is based on consumer vote) will be awarded the 2012 Chili Cup.

Proceeds from the Chili Cup event will benefit Community Work Services, an organization that helps folks transform their lives through employment.

Tickets to the event cost $20, and can be ordered via the link below.

http://www.neddevinesboston.com/

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Spoon Ninja Burrito-Rolling Competition Coming to Anna's Taqueria in Brookline

A rather unusual competition is coming to a burrito joint in Brookline next month.

According to Marlo Marketing/Communications, Anna's Taqueria on Harvard Street will be hosting a "Spoon Ninja" Burrito-Rolling Competition on Wednesday, February 29, starting at 6:00 PM. The event, which will be attended by Anna's lightning-fast Spoon Ninjas (burrito rollers) as well as WFNX newsman Henry Santoro, will be a competition to determine which of the rollers is the fastest "burrito slinger" in the Boston area. (The winner will be awarded the "Golden Spoon" trophy.) A separate contest will also be held to see which guest is the fastest as well, with the winner also receiving the "Golden Spoon" trophy, while each participant receives an Anna's gift card and t-shirt.

The Spoon Ninja Burrito-Rolling Competition is free to the public, though registration for spectators and competitors is required. (More information can be found at http://annastaqueriaspoonninja.eventbrite.com/)

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Burrito Bowl II to Be Held at Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, February 4, 2012

A burrito competition is returning to the Back Bay of Boston next month, and like last year, it will include several area chefs.

According to its event page on Eventbrite, Burrito Bowl II will be held at Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake on Boylston street on Saturday, February 4, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The competition will feature local chefs who face off to create the best burrito, with Jose Duarte of Taranta, Tiffany Faison of Sweet Cheeks, Jon Gilman of Church, Andy Husbands of Tremont 647, Jason Hutchinson of Boloco, Marc Orfaly of Pigalle, Erwin Ramos of Ole Mexican Grille, Brian Roche of Lolita, and Brian Poe of Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake participating.

Each burrito will be rated by attendees along with guest referees Jenny Johnson of TV Diner, Scott Kearnan of STUFF Magazine, and Dan McCarthy of UrbanDaddy.

Tickets to Burrito Bowl II cost $15 each and can be purchased in advance at http://poesburritobowl.eventbrite.com/

[February 2 update: The Burrito Bowl II is sold out.]

Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake is located at 384 Boylston Street (between Arlington Street and Berkeley Street) in Boston's Back Bay.

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Home Sweet Home Dessert Tasting Event to Be Held in Cambridge, October 22, 2011

A dessert tasting event and competition that raises money to help the homeless is coming to Cambridge later this month.

An email sent from Image Unlimited Communications indicates that the fourth annual "Home Sweet Home" charity event will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM in the Presidential Ballroom of the Cambridge Hyatt Regency on Memorial Drive. The event, which is presented by The Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund, will include a dessert competition, with local dessert chefs having their creations judged by Annie Copps (food/wine writer; host of Daily Dish on WGBH; contributor to the Today Show on NBC), Andrew Rimas (Editor, The Improper Bostonian), Amy Traverso (Senior Lifestyle Editor at Yankee Magazine), and Jill Epstein (Publisher of Where to Eat Boston). Home Sweet Home will also feature music, dancing, wine tastings, raffles, and auctions. Billy Costa of NECN's TV Diner will be hosting the event.

Tickets to Home Sweet Home cost $50 for regular admission, and $100 for VIP admission (which includes a buffet dinner and the wine tasting).

For more information on the event--including how to purchase tickets--please go to the link below.

http://www.chafund.org/dessert2011.html

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Owner of Teranga in Boston's South End to Compete on "Chopped" Tuesday, June 28

The chef and owner of Boston's only Senegalese restaurant is going to be on the next episode of a popular Food Network show.

An email sent to us by CBH Communications indicates that Marie-Claude Mendy of Teranga in the South End of Boston will be participating in Ted Allen's show "Chopped" next Tuesday (June 28). The episode, which airs at 10:00 PM, will pit Marie-Claude against other chefs, taking everyday ingredients and using them in a three-course meal that will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The winner of the episode will be awarded $10,000.

Marie-Claude Mendy first opened Teranga about two years ago on Washington Street, bringing to the neighborhood a place to get West African dishes such as grilled tilapia, fish balls, grilled chicken with vermicelli, lamb stew, herb-stuffed whitefish, and accra (black-eyed pea fritters). The address for the restaurant is: Teranga Restaurant, 1746 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118. The phone number is (617) 266-0003. And the website can be found at http://www.terangaboston.com/

A web link for "Chopped" can be found at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/chopped/

[June 29 update: Marie-Claude Mendy won last night's "Chopped" competition, beating three other chefs and winning $10,000 in the process. A link containing a bit more information on the episode can be found here, including when it will be shown again: Thyme Flies: Chopped]

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