OPA!

DO YOU LOVE GREEK FOOD? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THE CULTURE??

Here locally in Norfolk Virginia The Annunication Greek Orthodox Church Granby Street host their annual Greek Festival http://www.norfolkgreekfestival.com/. This festival has been going on for years. The surrounding areas build with anticipation with the excitement that this festival brings to the area. People from miles around come to enjoy the culture, food, artifacts, and atmosphere of this event. Being a local that is faithful to going, I have had first hand experience.

Greek Salad

The festival is free to the public along with free parking. This festival attracts many people and is typically held from thursday to sat. They offer a variety of things, but most of all hospitality is at the top of their list. The Big tents, lines, smells of food, sounds of music, and appeal of a gathering are amazing. Here at the festival you don't have to be Greek to feel the love of the culture. If you don't have time to stop, get out, and enjoy the festival; for your convenience they have a drive thru line, where you can order and pick up your favorite tasty treats.

Drive-Thru for your pleasure

Wavy TV 10 covered the Festival, here is the story link http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/greek-festival-in-norfolk-this-weekend. Enjoy. If you have ever been to this festival or been to any Greek festival, tell me your experience. If you would like to keep up to date with this festival like their Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/norfolkgreekfestival



Foods: Yummy

Fresh Bread: Tsoureki

Spanakopita

Pork Souvlaki

Moussaka

Loukoumades

Assorted Pastries

Baklava

Photos are courtesy of Norfolk Greek Festival Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.102223669818593.1230.101972926510334

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.117544131619880.7807.101972926510334

WHO'S CHEF DRAKE

KARRIN "CHEF DRAKE" DRAKE

Chef Drake currently residing in Chesapeake Virginia. Chef Drake was raised in Virginia and is a member of Cornerstone City of Refuge Ministries International, Bishop Dannie R. Ducksworth and CoPastor Rebecca Ducksworth. Chef Drake is a proud member of the Elete Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority Inc. Chef Drake has lived in various states including Baltimore Maryland, Madison Wisconsin, and Orlando Florida. Chef Drake earned an Associates degree in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu Orlando, Bachelor of Science from Scottsdale Culinary Institute and currently  pursuing a Masters degree in Media Journalism from Full Sail University. 

Chef Drake has had amazing opportunities. One of her biggest accomplishments was starting her catering business.  Rinnie's Tasty Delights was formally known as Rinnie's Candies. It was the brain child of Karrin Drake. She fell in love with making candy, when her mentor Annette Hawkins took Karrin under her wing in the process of making candy. When she move to WI, She started her own business of making candy. Due to her love for both candy and food.  She cooked meals and catered events at her school. She was also asked to fix dinners for new parents, retirees, and busy on the go couples of Florida. Chef Drake no longer just made candy, she was cooking food as well. In the past five years Chef Drake has had the opportunity to Judge cuisine competitions, chili cook offs, pie competitions. Chef Drake has also been recognized for her uncanny take on food and its preparation. She has been awarded the Post Secondary Excellence Award, Outstanding Student Award. She has had the opportunity to work along side Roc the winner of Hell's Kitchen, Martin Yan of Yan can cook, Austalis Baramundi Company, American Culinary Federation Convention Master Chef Jason Hall,Pastry Chef Michelle Garcia of Bleeding Heart Bakery food network challenge contestant and winner, and many more. 

Chef Drake's future plan include becoming a food journalist. Giving valuable information to the masses through her own website, column, guest writings, and presentations. Through her experience in the foodservice industry with serving children of all ages. She has found a passion to help children make better choices in foods, by teaching, showing, and leading by example that healthy food can be just as attractive and enjoyable.

Please feel free to contact me

chefrtd1@gmail.com

rinniestastydelights@yahoo.com

www.twitter.com/chefrin

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rinnies-Tasty-Delights-Catering/179509105423605

Getting Comfortable with a Cool Dessert - What's a Poached Pear

Look's good you say?? 

Wondering what it is or How to cook it?? Is it easy?

Elegant and Easy: This is an easy way to start off and get your summer dessert regime going. This is nice to entertain 4 - 50 or just serve your family a great dessert for dinner. May Kicks off the Rinnie's Tasty Delights Options for the summer series, so get ready and get your taste buds ready for a delicious rollercoaster.

 Option for the Summer Series, will give you tips, recipes, and news about food happenings throughout the summer. You will be informed from easy at home prep to a food enthusiast dream of traveling. So Stay tuned and get started with the Poach Pear.

Poached Pear w/ pistachio raisin fillin and carmel sauce


Ingredients:
4 pears cored
raisins
pistachio
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups white wine(your favorite)
1/2 cup ginergale


Directions:
Peel all pears and core; Keep core and cut core in half (keeps the stem half of core)
In a bowl: mix raisins, pistachios, 1 1/2 tsp of sugar, add core back to pear;  spoon in raisin mixture into middle of pear
Place pear in a baking dish (repeat for all pears)
Poaching Liquid: wine and general add to baking dish once all pears are in; cover with foil
Bake on 350 degrees for 30minutes(until tender, but not mushy)
Remove pears from baking dish and place on plate to cool
place poaching liquid in a small sauce pan, put on med-high heat and reduce until gold and bubbly(be careful not to allow to touch skin will stick and burn you)
Crush some pistachios and sprinkle on plate in your own design
Take a pairing knife, cut a /\ shape in pear and expose the center. Place on serving plate
cut piece from pear in 3 pieces, arrange on plate
spoon over carmel sauce


To give this dessert a BAM you can add some ice cream!


Now wasn't that easy!!! 




Go ahead and give it a try, let me know how this works out, post your comment and send pictures.