I don’t always post “reviews” (I use that term very loosely) for once in a lifetime experiences that you’ll never get to duplicate, because sometimes it comes off as bragging or something. But, in this case, I’m going to rave about an event that we went to that was pretty amazing.
After Roe v Wade was overturned recently, Hai Hai decided to host an event to raise money for reproductive rights and awareness. They called their closest chef friends and asked then to whip up a potluck-style dish that would bring some folks in for a fundraiser. They has so much interest that they needed to host two separate dates. Both of these dates sold out in under a day and we were lucky enough to buy some tickets.
The putluck brunches were both held at Hai Hai on July 31st and also August 14. Some chefs made food for both dates, but it was a difficult decision on which date to pick because some of our favorite chefs were only cooking at one of the days. The events raised over $50,000 for Just the Pill and Whole Woman’s Health Alliance. There was also a raffle with multiple really cool prizes from local businesses that also support reproductive rights. Also, great work by DJ Keezy, who really nailed the songlist and got many people up from their chairs and dancing.
We started with some fancy cocktails that were also in partnership with some local restaurants like Hai Hai, Hola Arepa, and Meteor. There were also some N/A cocktails from Tres Leches and Hi-Lo Diner, but we were in the mood for some full-alcohol coctails.
When you read this food list, though, you’re going to be very mad that you weren’t there enjoying these delicious dishes.
· MEKONG SALAD I Chef Christina Nguyen I Hai Hai
Lao sausage, tom yum coconut milk dressing, herbs, peanuts
· BRAISED CORN I Chef Alex Roberts I Alma
on the cob with whole spice coconut sauce
· JAHPCHAE I Chef Ann Kim I Pizzeria Lola
sesame-soy dressed sweet potato noodles with marinated vegetables
· EMPANADAS DE HUMITA I Chef Daniel Del Prado I Martina
creamed corn & provolone with chimichurri
· BUDIN AZTECA I Chef Gustavo Romero I Nixta
Mexican lasagna with layered corn tortillas, chicken tinga, queso chihuahua, nopales salad
· SMOKED CHICKEN LARB I Chef James Winberg I Travail
with sweet rice, shiso vinaigrette, herbs
· SPICY SPINACH PANEER I Chef Janene Holig | Hot Indian Foods
coconut rice, mint-cucumber raita
· BIRRIA ENCHILADAS I Chef Jon Wipfli I Animales BBQ Co
Braised beef, adobo, cheese, salsa, corn tortillas
· ALBONDIGAS I Chef Jorge Guzman | Petite Leon
en mole poblano with sesame seeds
· BORICUA “ARROZ CON POLLO" I Chef Nettie Colon I Red Hen Gastrolab
Puerto Rican rice with chicken, Longaniza sausage & pigeon peas
· CHICKEN SKEWERS I Chefs Nikki & Brian Podgorski I The Salsa Collaborative
mojo marinated chicken thighs with deep fried plantain
· PAN-FRIED DUMPLING | Chef Peter Bian | Saturday Dumpling Club
with brisket, carrot & onion, Chinese vinegar chili crisp sauce
· MINI PRETZEL DOG I Chef Sun Cowles | Create Catering
with kimchi scallion ranch
· SAVORY DOUGHSCUIT I Chef Tim Niver | Muccis
with tomato tartare and chèvre vinaigrette
· STRAWBERRY PANNA COTTA | Chef Katie Elsing | Lynhall
with roasted plum & salted white chocolate crumb
· PASSION FRUIT DIVA CAKE I Chef Zoè Francois | Zoe Bakes
almond jaconde cake, passionfruit buttercream, blackberry, ganache & toasted meringue
In the food line, I didn’t tell a single chef “no thank you” – just put them anywhere on my plate that you can find room. It ended up being a really impressive display of food. I felt like it would be MORE rude to tell someone you didn’t want the one thing that they brought to the potluck. Plus, I REALLY love to eat and I didn’t want to miss anything stellar.
It’s basically impossible to rank these in order of my favorite, since I’ve changed my mind about 20 times on what was the best. Just know that ZERO of these dishes were bad. In fact, none of them were even ho-hum or average. They were all fantastic. I can probably narrow it down to the best five dishes that I can determine as of me sitting on my couch right now writing this. So, in no particular order, I’ll list five of my above-and-beyond favorites:
· Mekong Salad
· Albondigas
· Spicy Spinach Paneer
· Savory Doughscuit
· Strawberry Panna Cotta
· (And yes, I’ve already gone back and edited this list – DAMMMIT! They were all so good!)
We didn’t end up winning anything in the raffle, but honestly, this was one of the best ways to kick off a Sunday that we’ve had in quite some time. I know the pandemic isn’t over, but it really is nice to ease into social events like this again. Of course, now the bar is set really high and we’ll never be able to assemble quite a lineup like this again, unless it’s at some spectacular event like this one. All the people working the event were having a good time; all the chefs and food servers were having a good time; all the people eating and drinking were having a good time. It just made you feel good!
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