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Fork + Flask party supports culinary scholarship fund Jan. 28

Dogfish Bartender Battle brings winter warm up fun
January 19, 2018

 "This year we're really pouring it on for our annual cocktail party," says Fork+Flask @ Nage General Manager and Executive Chef Sean Corea. "Unique handcrafted drinks. Delicious chef-inspired food pairings. And most of all, lively community spirit in the dead of winter!" he adds. Organizers say it's the recipe for escaping the winter doldrums. Now in its seventh year, this much-anticipated community event is happening Sunday, Jan. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Rehoboth's Fork+Flask @ Nage Restaurant.

"No other event here in Rehoboth puts all of the area's best bartenders under one roof," says Fork+Flask bartender Ginger Breneman who will be joined by some of the top bartenders from the Cape Region's hospitality industry. "The art of the cocktail has been part of the restaurant culture in big cities like New York and Washington, D.C., for many years," says Sean Norris, another well known bartender at Fork+Flask. "It's really motivating to see that it's now happening here in Southern Delaware."

Guests can expect the best from Fork+Flask's Breneman and Norris, plus Saketumi's Chris Dunn, Rob Bagley from Chesapeake & Maine and Pat Backus from Dogfish Head -  to name a few. Altogether eight super star bartenders will create "The Dogfish Bartender Battle" - a night of friendly competition creating unique cocktails using Dogfish Head Spirits. "We love teaming up with those guys any chance we can get," says Tom Little, Fork+Flask spokesman. "It's a win-win for our guests, and for the competitors." Party-goers get to cast their votes for the best drinks, and the winner will receive $400. Not bad for a night's work for a very good cause.

Moreover, the real winners from this event are local students who want to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Proceeds from the winter cocktail party will support The RehobothFoodie.com/Touch of Italy Culinary Scholarship Fund. "Helping our community's youth fulfill their dreams is something that we're extremely dedicated to," says Rich Garrahan, managing member of LaVida Hospitality Group, which manages several Sussex County hospitality businesses including Fork+Flask, Crooked Hammock, Big Chill Cantina, Big Chill Beach Club and Taco Reho food truck.

Local restaurant enthusiast Bob "Rehoboth Foodie" Yesbek explains that The RehobothFoodie.com/Touch of Italy Culinary Scholarship Fund was created in response to the shortage of qualified help being experienced by Cape Region restaurants. "Many talented high-schoolers can't afford to continue their culinary education after completing the ProStart programs in the high schools, and the scholarships have helped many talented young people sharpen their skills at schools such as the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University and The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia," says Yesbek. "Many of these local students return to the area to fulfill their dreams of a culinary career in our resort restaurants."

Tickets to this event, which includes live music by the talented Anthony Carmen, are available online at www.forkandflask.com/events. Due to the popularity of this annual event, organizers suggest getting tickets in advance. A $5 online discount is available by using the code FOODIE at checkout.

Open year-round, Fork+Flask at Nage is located at 19730 Coastal Highway, Route One South in Rehoboth Beach. Happy hour, weekend brunch and late night dinner service from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. For reservations call 302-226-2037.

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