Recently I attended the 11th Annual Evening of Fine Food and Wine at the Scranton Cultural Center. This unique event showcased food and wine from fine dining establishments throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania and guests were treated to an in-depth tour of the beautiful Scranton Cultural Center.

Here are some highlights of the dishes that I sampled throughout the night:

Gazpacho by Chef Kate Gabriel of the Rustic Kitchen at the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Crisp, light, fruity and very refreshing (and healthy!) Perfect for Spring.

A ricotta and spinach ravioli in a red sauce from Angelo Bistocchi’s Restaurant.

Coopers Seafood featured a mini crab cake and it’s famous crab bisque soup, always a crowd pleaser. Click here for the recipe.

Chickpea salad from one of my favorite downtown Scranton restaurants, City Cafe.

A soba noodle salad from the State Street Grill in Clarks Summit.

Tortellini skewer in an Alfredo sauce from Constantino’s Catering.

Constantino’s Catering provides See my previous blog on “Dinner at the Theater,” a special event catered by Constantino’s.

The Hilton in Scranton featured a crisp prosciutto wrapped jumbo scallop with green wasabi caviar over roasted tomatoes. Loved the presentation!

The chef from Carmen’s Restaurant at the Radisson in Scranton gave a beautiful and informative presentation on their dish, sauteed shrimp with orange and fennel over polenta, seen below under the stage lighting.

Fire and Ice on Toby Creek presented a dish composed of each my favorite foods: New York Strip Steak, basil, parmegianno regiano, and shrimp all atop of it’s signature heath baked bread. Chef Gary Edwards never disappoints! See my previous blog on Fire and Ice on Toby Creek.

The French Manor served a grilled rack of lam with French chevre cheese and a roasted golden fig demi-glace topped with a duck confit a l’Orange, served over a Gogi Berry infused Red Quinoa.

Patsel’s served a flavorful Carribean spiced Ahi Tuna Steak and the chefs gave a unique demonstration on molecular gastronomy.  If only my high school science classes were this interesting …

Lastly, there was dessert.
Truely Scrumptious of Kingston displayed this beautiful summer beach cake! Truely Scrumptious featured large samples of different flavors of their delectable cakes. 

 Edible chocolate cups filled with mousse and strawberries by Accentuate Catering in Scranton.

A sample of cheeses from igourmet.com included my favorite Parmigiano Reggiano and a White Stilton with mango and ginger.

Epicurean Delight: Hot poached pear with Greek yogurt, sliced almonds and fresh raspberries – delightful! 
Chocolate mousse cocktail from Bella Faccias.
To see the photos of last year’s Evening of Fine Food and Wine event, click here.
If you would like to support our area dining establishments and the Scranton Cultural Center, save the date: the next Evening of Fine Food and Wine will be held  on April 12, 2012!
Enjoy! 🙂