Thursday marks the beginning of the Festival of Flavors, the week-long fall fundraiser for Flathead Valley Community College highlighted by the tasty creations from notable local chefs.
The event runs from Sept. 24 through Oct. 3 and gives valley residents a taste of gourmet as they help support FVCC scholarships and programs. Participants will be treated to various dining experiences, including a wine tasting at the Hilton Garden Inn, dinners at local restaurants and a generally good time.
Café Kandahar Owner and Executive Chef Andy Blanton kicks off the event on Sept. 27 at his Whitefish restaurant and a lovely menu of Alaska spot prawns, Dungeness crab, duck terrine, house cured pancetta, American Kobe strip loin, local leg of lamb and huckleberry souffle’.
Chef Zachary Bernheim treats diners on Sept. 30 at the North Bay Grille in Kalispell with grilled scallop ceviche wontons, vine ripe tomato soup, pacific oysters on the half shell, baby spinach salad, crab, shrimp and brie stuffed Alaskan halibut, American Kobe prime rib and a triple chocolate dessert.
Chef Marc Guizol, owner of Bigfork’s La Provence, will serve a meal of cream of asparagus and tarragon soup with Chilean crab meat, organic mixed green salad, pan seared sea scallops, oven roasted duck breast, potato and butternut squash gratin and chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream on Oct. 1.
Yum.
Tickets for the event cost $125 per person, $75 of which is tax-deductible. They can be purchased online here. Participants must be at least 21 years old, as all the meals are paired with wine.