Taste Of Tulalip 2011: Wind, Roll And Print - That's A Wrap:a Weekend Of Standing Ovations

Taste of Tulalip 2011, a marquee event, was no silent film. With a cast of thousands, including the extras, the star studded food and wine weekend left the audience awestruck. From the opening scene in Tulalip Resort Casino's Orca Ballroom, where a $5,000 check was presented to Make A Wish Foundation, to the Grand Taste with its abundance of edibles and fluidity of wines-this was a blockbuster!

A CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Carla Hall - Captivating, spirited, and an all-American funny girl, she knew her way around a saucepan. Her Alchemy cookies were infused with the same warmth and love that she brings to ABC's "The Chew".

Leslie Sbrocco - Striking, ebullient television personality and author, she emceed the weekend with glass in hand and became everybody's best friend.

Kathy Casey - This girl proved she's a chameleon of talent. Whether swirling a fine Bordeaux or making a mean martini, she's one of Seattle's culinary icons.

Perry Mascitti - Tall, witty and hair-free, Chef Perry was the director of over a kajillion plates served during the weekend.
Tom Thompson - Som Tom was "the man" of superfluidity and a charming wine host.


Kevin Correll - Honorary Winemaker of the Year, Barrage Cellars. A wine and a man full of character.


SCENE ONE
(Setting: Orca Ballroom, Friday night, November 11, 2011; sold-out crowd of 400 seated guests.)

The guests dined on a multi-course wine paired feast, and honored James Madison - Tulalip's Artist of the Year. During the evening, Al Tschider of Make a Wish Foundation was presented with a $5,000 check, in order to make a seriously ill child's dream come true. Then, out of nowhere, three waiters burst into operatic song, captivating the crowd. Post lavish dinner, everyone shimmied, shook and swayed to the music at the mPulse Lounge.

SCENE TWO
(Setting: Canoes Cabaret, Noon, November 12, 2011; hundreds in attendance.)

Carla Hall gave a lesson on the history of hootie-hoo as she stirred up a delish dish on the VIKING Stage. Afterwards at the Q & A, Chef Perry asked a pointed question, "If you were starving on a desert island of top chefs, who would you cook and how would you prepare them. Tom Colicchio rose to the top.

SCENE THREE
(Setting: mPulse Lounge, where it was Magnum mania!)
It felt like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on the stage, as everyone danced from one wine to another. They quick-stepped from Roederer Cristal to Chateau Margaux, then from Opus One to L'Ecole 41. They twirled past Molly Dooker's 'Velvet Glove' and Shafer's Hillside Select; a whirlwind tour of wines that were utterly divine.


SCENE FOUR
(Setting: Orca Foyer and Ballrooms, Oasis Pool, and Chinook Rooms; over 100 wineries from Washington, California & Italy; sold out crowd of 2,000)
Multiples of personalities rubbed elbows and glasses throughout the day, sampling fabulous fare and wines from near and far away.

SCENE FIVE
(Setting: Rock -n- Roll Challenge)
Loud music, 30 judges, celeb soms and chefs, with VIKING stoves a-glow. A friendly smack-down between the food & wine kind. Only 30 minutes to create a dish and pairing that was sublime.


CUT - THAT'S A WRAP!
Sequel to open November 9 & 10, 2012

Reviews from Taste of Tulalip 2011:

"Thank you to the Tulalip Resort - great food & wine at the Taste of Tulalip!" Thai Bahn

"Effen fabulous" Thom Schessler

"Phenomenal" Anonymous

"This energy is so nice, I can't explain it. I always talk about how I want my food to be like a hug, but coming here is like a hug." Carla Hall

"The celebratory dinner at Taste of Tulalip was f