Fork Dork: Barking Frog's Moore Wants More Awards

Executive Chef Bobby Moore is returning to Lamb Jam Seattle on Sunday, Oct. 23 from 3-6 pm at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center to defend the People’s Choice Award he won last year. Moore won Best of Show at the inaugural Lamb Jam two years ago.

Also participating in this year’s Lamb Jam Seattle are in Kirkland, and and in Bellevue.

Serving wine will be Woodinville wineries , , , , , , , , , and , and Kirkland’s Force Majeure.

Moore will braise lamb shank in Final Final, the red wine blend by Efeste.

“I love lamb. I am competitive. I love putting on a show. It’s more fun when you are winning,” Moore said of competing in Lamb Jam. “We do it in waves so people gather around and watch us as if we were in our own kitchen.”

Last week, Moore won the Battle of the Chefs at the Miele showroom in Bellevue. Moore was chosen by a panel of judges, beating Trellis chef Brian Scheehser, Lark chef and owner Johnathan Sundstrom, Aqua by El Gaucho chef Peter Levine and Wild Ginger executive chef Jacky Lo.

Winemakers are also eager to jam with lamb this Sunday.

“I love lamb,” said Guardian Cellars winemaker Jerry Riener. “Lamb has such good richness. We are talking rich, rich, rich flavors. It helps accentuate all the nuances of the wine.”

Hope Link raises $1.16 million

Hope Link raised a record $1.16 million at its annual benefit luncheon on Monday, Oct. 17. The annual event drew a crowd of about 1,700 to the Meydenbauer Convention Center in Bellevue.

Most of the $1.16 million raised came from guests attending the luncheon, including “Pacesetter” donors giving between $1,000 and $25,000 apiece. Corporate sponsors, including Comcast and , underwrote the event. Corporate giving accounted for about 20 percent of the revenue.

Microsoft Chief People Officer (human resources) and Seattle Storm owner Lisa Brummel filled in for celebrity chef Tom Colicchio as the luncheon’s keynote speaker. Colicchio canceled over the weekend as he was unable to travel under doctor’s orders, according to Hope Link publicist Kris Betker.

“Most of the people that came to the luncheon came to support Hope Link,” Betker said.

Brummel, an avid gardener, donates her produce to Hope Link. After talking with Colicchio on Monday morning, Brummel shared his message of ending childhood hunger in America.

“This man is on a mission, a mission to fight hunger,” Brummel said of Colicchio.

Pearl Pairs Producers in Fall Harvest Dinner Series

continues its Fall Harvest Dinner Series on Thursday, Oct. 27, with a dinner featuring from Woodivnille and Wagyu beef producer Snake River Farms. For $75, guests will be served multiple courses, including crispy pork belly, Wagyu Sirloin and gnocchi with braised Wagyu shortribs. The evening begins with a reception at 6:15 p.m. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m.

Efeste Winery and Penn Cove Shellfish will be the featured producers on the last dinner in the series on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 6:15 p.m. Also for $75, the menu includes pan seared mussels, PEARL paella with manila clams, and grilled filet mignon with bacon wrapped oysters.

Scary entertainment options during Halloween

Several Bellevue businesses will be getting in the Halloween spirit over the next week.

will be hosting the Grimsby Manor Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 8:30 a.m. For $8, guests can enjoy a pancake breakfast, haunted miniature golf and entertainment by Kimmy the "Fun Witch." Pre-registraton is required as seats are assigned. Register online or call 425-452-4240.

Suite Lounge in downtown Bellevue will be hosting a Halloween costume party on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 9 p.m featuring music by DJ Kourosh, masquerade showgirls performing on the catwalk and a costume contest. Admission is $20-$25 for guests 21 and older. Costumes are required for entry.

Your Local Market, on Bellevue Way just east of Bellevue Square, will host a Halloween Carnival on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m to 4 p.m., and Monday, Oct. 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, with donations accepted to benefit Camp Korey.

will host its annual Mall-O-Ween on Monday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7:30 pm. Guests can trick-or-treat at participating merchants. Live music will be courtesy of the Freckles Brown Band.