WHEELING - Oglebay Institute launches its second year of the popular culinary series, "Tapas: The Art of Elegant Small Plate Dining" at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 at the Stifel Fine Arts Center. The opening event features Chef Charlie Schlegel of Ye Olde Alpha.
Organizers say guests can expect evenings of delicious sights, smells and tastes as well as live demonstrations of sophisticated cooking techniques and unusual tips made simple by some of the area's most accomplished chefs.
"As we begin our second season, we want to thank everyone for supporting this program during the first year. The chefs and the guests were wonderful. We were pleased that each of the events sold out," said Kate Crosbie, Oglebay Institute director of performing arts, "In our second year, guests will enjoy some new and exciting tapas that will entice the palette, opportunities to interact with the chefs and plenty of mingling, sharing and sampling in the wonderful atmosphere on the Stifel Center."
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“Tapas: The Art of Elegant Small Plate Dining” takes place at 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 28 at the Stifel Fine Arts Center and features Chef Charlie Schlegel of Ye Olde Alpha.
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Tapas are small plates of food including appetizers, snacks or finger food. They originated in Spain, but these small-plate entrees are served in towns around the world and are a very popular culinary trend right now.
"Tapas are meant for sharing," Crosbie said, "however it's not only the sharing of the food that makes these events so enjoyable but also the sharing of great conversation."
Schlegel's menu for the Sept. 28 event includes: chorizo with crab and tomato soup, thick cut bacon with sauted baby spinach and maple syrup, grilled cantaloupe with prosciutto over baby bib lettuce with tequila lime vinaigrette, pork tenderloin stuffed with cranberries and feta, mashed sweet potatoes, grilled polenta and chocolate covered bacon with peanut butter ice cream. Complimentary wine samples will be served with each course.
Pre-register by calling 304-242-7700. The Tapas Tasting Series continues through April, featuring new chefs and recipes at each event. A complete list of dates and chefs is as follows:
- September 28
Chef Charlie Schlegel, Ye Olde Alpha
Chef Mark Glass, Bethesda Market and Catering
Chef Sarah Lydick, Sandscrest Conference and Retreat Center
Chef Jackie Crider, Parkhurst Dining Services
This program is made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.
Visit Oglebay Institute on the web at www.oionline.com.
