Picnics & Pies - June 6th at Lush

Hello LTH:

Here's an upcoming event I think most of you will get excited about:

It's called Picnics & Pies, and it's a fundraiser for Blue Sky Inn, a non-profit that provides arts education and job training to homeless and otherwise at-risk youth. (http://www.blueskyinn.org)

The event is being held at Lush Wine & Spirits (1257 S. Halsted) on Saturday, June 6th, from 12-5pm.

A few things that make this a fabulous event:

* The Pie Contest: Submit any kind of pie. The pies will be judged by Paula Haney and Frank Sennett (as well as one lucky person who will win a judging position in our auction). Prizes will be awarded for Best Crust, Best Crumble and Most Creative, and the winning pie recipes will be made and served at Blue Sky Bakery & Cafe. (Email [email protected] to sign up for the contest.)

* Celebrity Chef Picnic Baskets: We'll be auctioning off picnic baskets by chefs such as Charlie Trotter, Rick Bayless, the Birchwood Kitchen folks, Ina, etc.

* Wines chosen by myself and Lush Wine & Spirits: Clearly some of the best wine minds in the city (the folks at Lush, I mean).

On the non-food front, there'll be a bags tournament, lots of stuff for kids to do (those under 12 get in for free) and, hopefully, lots of sun to soak up on Lush's patio.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Tickets can be bought at this link:

https://www.justgive.org/basket (write "picnics" in the designation line).

Once you get inside, it's a cash bar.

All money goes to Blue Sky Inn, so I sincerely hope some of you will consider coming to our event.

Thanks very much,

David Tamarkin
President of the Board of Directors of Blue Sky Inn (as well as a food writer)

Hi,

I like the pricing of the event. Get them in, then get them to donate.

Regards,

Out of curiosity, will there be pie by the slice available for sale/donation? Not sure what pie/alcohol pairings exist, but I'd love to find out*. Mincemeat and a glass of Amaro? Apple pie with a nice rye whisky?

-Dan

* Which brings to mind a horrible, horrible notion: if Brad @ Bar DeVille can make such a delicious Malort-based cocktail, the Hard Sell, will anyone attempt a Malort-laced pie for the contest?

I’m going to try to hit this event after MikeG and Kraig/Pang panels at Printer’s Row Lit Fest . Hope to have backpack by then so I have a way to carry new books.

Hi Dansch.

Yes, there will be pie for sale. The amount of pie is dependent on how many contestants we get, so please encourage your baking friends to enter!

Thanks,

David T.

PS: There will be plenty of other pastries for sale as well.

dansch wrote:* Which brings to mind a horrible, horrible notion: if Brad @ Bar DeVille can make such a delicious Malort-based cocktail, the Hard Sell, will anyone attempt a Malort-laced pie for the contest?

You just gave Mr. Malort himself, Mike Sula, an idea.