Iron Vintner Challenge Spurs Cooking Demonstrations at Willows Lodge

 will be dedicating 10 percent of its sales Friday, April 20, to The Martinez Foundation, founded by former Seattle Mariner All-Star designated hitter Edgar Martinez and his wife, Holli. The foundation funds scholarships for aspiring teachers from underrepresented communities.

The supermarket on Bellevue Way in downtown Bellevue, open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., will also host a silent auction until 7 p.m. Edgar Martinez will sign autographs after 5 p.m. for a donation to the foundation.The store will also serve free samples of beer, wine and food throughout the day.

Your Local Market owner Jason Brown said he struck up the idea of a fundraiser for The Martiznez Foundation when he ran into Holli Martinez at his store. Your Local Market hosts benefit events monthly. Brown expects more than 1,000 shoppers on Friday and wants to raise more than $10,000.

“We want to be good while doing good,” Brown said.

Martinez was selected to seven Major League All-Star teams during an 18-year career with the Mariners.

Wanderer goes Boom

Robert Wanderer is the new head chef at  in , according to the restaurant’s general manager, Aaron Carter. Wanderer transferred from the original Boom Noodle on Capitol Hill, where he was the head chef.  

Wanderer follows Jonathan Hunt, who left Boom Noodle in March. Hunt opened each of the Boom Noodle locations: Capitol Hill, University Village and Bellevue Square.

Trellis’ Scheehser wins fresh produce award
 
Brian Scheehser of  at The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland was recognized with the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award at the beginning of April. Scheehser won the award in the fine dining category. 

The national awards program honors the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. Winners in six categories were chosen by a team of foodservice experts based on creativity, knowledge and use of fresh produce, special events and recognition by peers. 

Scheehser grows produce, herbs and other ingredients at his Woodinville farm and uses them at his Kirkland restaurant.

Willows Lodge prepares for Iron Vintner Challenge with cooking classes

In advance of the third annual Iron Vintner Challenge, the  will be hosting wine tastings and complimentary cooking classes with past participants and winners during their happier hours, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at .

 winemaker Chris Sparkman will be pouring wine on May 2.  wine director Matt Davis and  winemaker Chris Gorman will be teaching a cooking class. Barking Frog head chef Bobby Moore will be teaching cooking classes May 23 with  winemaker Chris Upchurch, and with  winemaker Mark McNeilly on May 30.

The third annual Iron Vintner Challenge will kick off June 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. pitting ' Jerry Riener against  winemaker Kevin Correll. Tickets are $50.