Dinner for a Cause

SoDel Concepts owner Matt Haley believes that non-governmental aid organizations and nonprofits are often corrupt and ineffective. So in January he and SoDel partner Bryony Ziegler established The Global Delaware Fund to get help to at-risk children around the world. On Friday, you can dine on their behalf.

Haley and Ziegler will host a fundraising dinner at their popular Fish On! restaurant in Lewes, starting at 7 p.m. That means light fare made from fresh, local ingredients prepared by Jen Blakeman of SoDel’s Plate Catering. (You know SoDel as the group behind Betty’s and Lupo di Mare in Rehoboth Beach, Bluecoast in North Bethany, NorthEast Seafood Kitchen in Ocean View and Catch 54 in Fenwick Island.) The fare will show influences from Indonesia and Nepal, where Haley is trying to help children who need it. The evening will feature a live auction that will include such items as a private meal for 12 catered by Haley, original art by Ziegler, golf and wine packages, and others.

Global Delaware Fund aid provided includes food, clothing, counseling, scholarships and educational grants. By way of a hands-on approach, Global Delaware aims to create long-term sustainability for entire communities in need. “It was important to us to protect not only our money but other people’s, too,” Haley says. “It’s honest. Everyone is 100 percent volunteer. There’s no reimbursement, no kickbacks. Most of our vendors donate their services and funds.”

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All proceeds for this event will go to the Global Delaware Fund. Tickets are $50 each. Contact Molly King at Fish On! at 645-9790, or email sodelconcepts@gmail.com.

 

 

Hooray for Beer

Kent County Tourism is thinking ahead—way ahead. Though the second annual Delaware Wine & Beer Festival won’t go down until October 23, the hard-working organizers have already announced some of the marquee participants. They include 16 Mile Brewing Company in Georgetown, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, Evolution Craft Brewing in Delmar, Fenwick Wine Cellars in Fenwick Island, Fordham/Dominion Brewing Company in Dover, Nassau Valley Vineyards in Lewes, Pizzadili Vineyard & Winery in Felton, Stewart’s Brewing Company in Bear and Twin Lakes Brewery in Greenville.

If the roster looks remarkably like the members of the Delaware Wine & Ale Trail, that’s because it is. Pizzadili, in fact, will host the festival. Last year’s inaugural event was, by all accounts, a stellar event.

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Oh, and there’s cheese. The exclusive national cheese sponsor of the event is the award-winning Cabot Creamery Cooperative of Vermont.
Deets to follow as the date gets near. For now, know that tickets are $25 in advance. And mark your daybook. You’ll be able to meet local brewers and vintners while sampling their products. Don’t miss it. For more, check visitdover.com, or call Kent County Tourism at 734-4888.

 

Soffritto All Over Again

We’ve always enjoyed Soffritto Italian Grill, but every place needs to shake it up now and again. Hence a revamped menu of authentic Italian fare—with 55 selections of chicken, seafood, veal, steak and, of course, pasta.

Check starters such as the Insalata Soffritto of baby spinach, tomatoes, fresh homemade mozzarella, artichoke hearts and kalamata olives served with homemade cider dressing. Move on to homemade sacchetti pasta stuffed with four cheeses and finished with a sherry-Chablis demi-glaze, or try tender chicken layered with imported prosciutto di Parma and mozzarella served in a light white wine sauce with wild mushrooms and spinach. And when did we ever turn down good osso bucco? Soffritto wisely added it to the menu.

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It’s among the best Italian fare in Newark, well worth the drive from points north and south. Put it on your list.
 

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