Ambleside’s Fresh St. Market (1650 Marine Drive) is about to get real cheese-y on Saturday, September 7, 2013, as it hosts the first ever Grilled Cheese Invitational. From 11 am to 3 pm, customers can sample classic and unique grilled cheese sandwiches from eight competing teams comprised of local vendors and Fresh St. Market staff. About 3,600 grilled cheese sandwiches will be made for tasting. Celebrity judges, including Chef Karen Barnaby and former BC Lions Lui Passaglia, will crown the sharpest group. Tickets are $5 with all proceeds benefiting Lions Gate Hospital.
In addition to bragging rights, the winning creation will be a permanent addition to Fresh St. Market’s sandwich bar. Customers also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite sandwich for the People’s Choice Award.
“Connecting and engaging the community is a vital part of Fresh St. Market,” explains Dave Sherwood, Director, Fresh St. Market. “Our goal is to create events and special days for everyone to participate in. Since our Halibut and Berry Festivals were a great success, for fall, what is better than a delicious grilled cheese sandwich, especially using local cheeses? It’ll be a fun afternoon for the whole family.”
Current vendor teams include Arla, Uprising Bread, Terra Bread, Saputo, and Gordon Food Services with Corporate Executive Chef Brandon Owen. The other three are comprised of Fresh St. Market staff, including Chef Stu Smith. Each team is responsible for creating a classic grilled cheese and an “anything goes” variation, and are encouraged to use local ingredients. From lobster, Okanagan peaches, to bacon jam, and short ribs – the teams are truly getting creative with their grilled cheese.
From 12 pm to 3 pm, Fresh St. Market has also partnered up with 16th Street Liquor Store on a craft beer tasting on-site. The knowledgeable staff will give tips on what beers pair best with grilled cheese.
Tickets are available at Fresh St. Market. Each $5 ticket comes with a drink and pass to try the teams’ creations.
For more information, please visit www.freshstmarket.com or www.facebook.com/freshstmarket.
About Fresh St. Market
Located at 1650 Marine Drive, Fresh St. Market brings a brand new food shopping concept to the North Shore. With the look and feel of a bustling public market, the food store has a wide variety of locally-sourced foods, fresh produce, a substantial amount of organic foods, and several dedicated food destinations for customers to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.freshstmarket.com.
