Del Monte bets 40,000 pounds of food on the NBA Finals

Instead of the traditional NBA Finals bet between mayors of opposing teams, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf are joining ranks to see which city can donate the most money to their local food bank.
Del Monte is joining in on the fun by pledging to send more than 3,000 pounds of corn, 17,000 pounds of mixed berry fruit squeezers and 17,000 pounds of peach mango fruit squeezers to the Alameda Food Bank for local families in need. That amounts to almost 40,000 pounds of food. Del Monte is also extending a, "fruity olive branch" offering to their Cleveland rivals by also donating food to the Cleveland Food Bank.
You can make your own donation to the Food Bank Finals by visiting www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org.

Marcie Barker is named director of the Culinary Vegetable Institute

The new director of the Culinary Vegetable Institute (CVI) should be a familiar face to many Northeast Ohio dining enthusiasts.
Marcie Barker recently joined the CVI team and said she loves getting to know the farm, the Jones family and the visitors to the institute.
"My career path began in New York City where my first job after college and culinary school in Paris was in the kitchen at The Quilted Giraffe, a now legendary restaurant that was among the first to break tradition in so many ways. From there I joined Danny Meyer opening the Union Square Cafe as sous chef with Chef Ali Barker. Two years later, Ali and I were married and began what has been our culinary and life adventure together," she said.
The Barkers opened Piperade in downtown Cleveland in the early 1990s, but sold it in 1995 to run a small bistro in Michigan while they raised two sons. They returned to the Cleveland area six years ago to take the helm at Radius in Chagrin Falls.
The Cleveland area is home to my family," Marcie Barker noted. "I look forward to my role here at the Culinary Vegetable Institute to reconnect with the culinary world both in terms of the Chef's Garden's reach to the most exciting chefs in the business, as well as the depth of authenticity of flavor and the integrity of product."
The Culinary Vegetable Institute and the Chef's Garden are at 12304 St. Rt. 13 in nearby Milan,OH.

The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland is rolling out the red carpet for Cavs fans

The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland joins an enthusiastic crowd of friends, fans and neighbors this week and next as the NBA finals come to town.
The hotel is planning a full roster of basketball-inspired dishes beginning on June 4. Fans are invited to wear their caps and jerseys and join in the fun at TV viewing parties set for June 4, 7, 9 and 11 and, if needed, June 14, 16 and 19.
The Lobby Lounge on the sixth floor will offer Cavs-Tinis and short rib pierogies in a salute to the local team, and Anchor Steam beer and Golden State mussels in honor of the visiting team. There will be live music from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. prior to every Finals home game.
The Club Lounge will be outfitted with extra televisions as well as basketball treats crafted by Cleveland's Malley's Chocolate and Ghirardelli Chocolate. A team-inspired menu will be highlighted by California mountain truffle macaroni and Bay Area cheddar cheese balls, Cleveland braised beef and potato pierogies and Little Italy mini pizza bites. Chilled selections will include Arrowhead spinach and Napa Valley artichoke tarts, avocado guacamole and Gold Rush salsa with red, white and blue tortilla chips, Asia Town sesame tuna tartare, and Dortmunder beer and Lake Erie Farms goat cheese fondue served with garlic sourdough toast points.
Overnight guests will enjoy cookies prepared in honor of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors as well as locally grown sweet plumcots from Family Tree Farm in Grafton and Madagascar Spring Chocolate from Cleveland.
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland is at 1515 W. Third St. Phone 216-623-1300.