FoodE General Manager Beth Black and Executive Chef Joy Crump are the ones who introduced the idea for a sandwich invitational in Fredericksburg.
“About this time last year we went to Feast Portland, and the opening night of that festival was a sandwich invitational,” Crump said. “It was really cool because chefs from all over the country came together and put forth their ideas of what the perfect sandwich is. It’s kind of like the quintessential personal signature item. Beth’s idea was to bring that energy to Fredericksburg and to Summer Restaurant Week.”
The two presented the idea to Karen Hedelt, director of economic development and tourism, and the FXBG Sandwich Invitational was born. The July 31 event will serve as the kickoff for Summer Restaurant Week, which runs August 1 – 10.
At the FXBG Sandwich Invitational, 13 independently owned downtown restaurants will compete for the $750 Judge’s Prize and the $500 People’s Choice Award.
FoodE’s entry is already a contest winner. The sous chefs, the executive chef, the dining room manager and Black each submitted three sandwiches for a staff vote. “We did it blind, so no one knew who had made what,” Black said. “We wanted to truly represent FoodE, and that’s why everyone got to vote.”
The winner? A chili rubbed boneless beef short rib on a local roll with wild greens and Hyperion Espresso Aioli.
Aioli is a traditional sauce made of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and usually egg yolks. There are many variations — the addition of mustard, for example.
Crump recently returned from a training with an idea for coffee aeoli. “We’ve never attempted it before,” Black said. “We recently were privileged to team-up with Hyperion — we’re selling some of our goods there and we’re carrying their coffee. Coffee rub and beef go together, so we’ll see how this little combination goes.”
“The spirit of this event is community,” Black said. “Fredericksburg has a growing culinary scene and that to me is important. Joy has always said there are too many places to stop between Washington D.C. and Richmond. Fredericksburg has to be known for a strong culinary scene. So if any other downtown restaurant does well, it’s great for Fredericksburg, which from a business standpoint means it’s great for us.”
The FXBG Sandwich Invitational will be held 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, July 31, in Hurkamp Park at William and Prince Edward Streets. Tickets are $25 and include sample-size sandwiches from the 13 restaurants competing, beverages and entertainment. Tickets are available at the Fredericksburg Visitors Center, 706 Caroline St.
For more on the FXBG Sandwich Invitational and Summer Restaurant Week 2014, see:
Sandwich Invitational Kicks-Off Restaurant Week
Pork Belly Sliders Made with Kölsch Beer
Name Capital Ale’s Sandwich Invitational Entry
And here are Sandwich Invitational videos by KK Media:
25/30 Espresso: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rya_AheMDI
Brock’s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6IDLpvDONM
Lizz’s Creative Juices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp1EBtDpF20
Mason Dixon Cafe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCw9uwgRs_c
Sprelly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORixkETWQ_w
EIieen’s Bakery & Cafe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcodYkv0oOA
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