2010 Summer Event Scheduled!

Little Spark is excited to announce its first official collaborative event with the Creative Visions Foundation. We're planning a July 31st dinner at the gorgeous Dog Mountain Farm to benefit the Cura Orphanage in Kenya.

Little Spark got involved with the Cura Orphanage (pronounced "shura") last year after being contacted by kindred soul Hayden Nichols. Hayden has been involved with the Cura Village orphanage project since its beginnings and convinced us that this was the sort of sustainable grassroots project we wanted to be involved with. Thanks to your support, Little Spark made a $700 donation last year to sponsor a young girl named Loise Wanjiku.

Loise, like all the home's fifty children, lost her parents to HIV/AIDS

Olaiya has served several times as the "guest chef" for Dog Mountain's series of summer dinners at the farm. These are wonderful five-course meals complete with a different wine pairing for each course. The menu is seasonal, and largely dictated by what's available at the farm itself, since the goal is to provide guests with a farm-to-table dinner experience.


Olaiya's peach and blueberry galette from a Little Spark in the Park event

Proprietors Cindy and David will also be on hand to give guests a tour of their organic farm and answer questions. They have also very generously lowered their farm rental rate for us. This will allow us to charge the same rate as a typical farm dinner this year ($100) and still manage to donate over 50% of the proceeds to Cura.


Tables set for a farm dinner last fall.
Here's Olaiya's preliminary menu, subject to seasonal availability:

lamb or roasted red pepper crostini with feta and almond-mint pesto

grilled haloumi crostini with lemon and dill

spicy chilled tomato soup with goat cheese croutons

moroccan-spiced carrot salad with avocado and citrus vinaigrette

braised pork with sweet and hot peppers, currants and almonds over creamy polenta

or

polenta terrine with sweet and hot peppers, currants, almonds and blue cheese

char-grilled baby broccoli with lemon and garlic

italian plum tart with homemade fennel ice cream

Hayden and her partner Greg are planning a trip to Kenya early this summer and will be in attendance with new photographs and stories about the village's efforts to create their own sustainable organic farms.

Please consider joining us for this wonderful event, or even becoming a table captain. As a table captain, you will host a table of six for the event... filling it with your friends, coworkers or family members as you see fit. You will be able to enjoy the event with loved ones, and receive recognition and a thank you gift from Little Spark for helping us.

July 31st
3:30 to 8:30 PM
Dog Mountain Farm
Carnation, WA
$100 per guest

If you are unable to attend our dinner, but still wish to make a donation we would be honored to accept your contribution. We will honor you at the event at our "virtual table" for our supporters that weren't able to join us. Contact John for more information.

Please be advised that this is a four-hour outdoor event in a farm environment. Your children are welcome to join us but we cannot make special accommodations regarding the seating, pricing or menu. We trust your judgment as a parent to determine if the conditions and dining environment are appropriate for your child.



Just a few of Cura Orphanage's beautiful children.

Fall and Winter Dinner Events

O and I are pleased to announce two events for the Fall and Winter. Our palettes change with the seasons, and we're actually excited to bring summer to a close and start thinking about the warm flavors of autumn. Please consider joining us for one or both of these happenings. RSVP quickly as space is limited.

Octoberfest at Olaiya's House with Backyard Bonfire
Saturday, October 17th
$20 Donation

Homemade Soft Pretzels with Coarse Salt & Mustard
Grilled Sausages/Veggie Brats
Braised Cabbage with Apples
Plum Kuchen
Selected German Beers and Hot Apple Cider

John is happily sampling various brews to complete the menu. So far, Weihenstephaner's Hefeweissbier Dunkel is the only given, as John is completely smitten with this rich wheat beer, full of flavor without being overwrought with hops.

And

Southern Comforts Party
Beat the rain and the post-holiday blues with comfort foods and the warm embrace of artisan bourbons and rye whiskeys.

Straight whiskey tasting will be available for the intrepid.
Otherwise, rounds of cocktails will be served with appetizer courses.

Saturday, January 16th
$35 Donation

Sweet Potato Hush Puppies with Pimento Jam
Cornbread with Braised Collards and Cayenne Creme
Buttermilk Biscuits with Marmelade and Ham or Soft Cheese
New Orleans Spicy Shrimp or Blackeyed Pea Fritters

Little Spark/Delancey Collaboration!

We are excited to announce that our good friends and long-time supporters, Brandon and Molly, are about to open their own restaurant. Delancey will feature wood-fired pizzas, inventive salads, house-made pickles and rustic desserts. Little Spark will be teaming up with Delancey to bring you our next event: an exclusive pre-opening dinner! We think you are going to love Brandon and Molly's inspired cooking and hope you'll join us for an evening of food, wine and company. Here's what's in store for the evening:

What: Wood-Fired Pizza Dinner

When: Friday, July 10th, 7.30 PM

Where: Delancey (1415 NW 70th Street in Ballard)

Cost: $35 per person

Menu:

seasonal roasted vegetable plate

assorted wood-fired pizzas including:
shaved porcini, fresh mozzarella, and thyme
brooklyn-style with tomato sauce, two mozzarellas, parmesan, basil, and zoe's pepperoni
creme fraiche, fingerling potatoes, and chives

homemade ice cream with chocolate chip-sea salt cookies

red and white wine

Update: This event is sold out!

May 30th Open Invitation

Dive into the new season of locally farmed produce! Come and join Olaiya and me for this once-a-year explosion of early summer bliss. Sweet, fresh and tender flavors mix it up with rich herb and mushroom tones. This dinner features my personal favorite appetizer: Olaiya's morel and asparagus melange served with a light cream sauce atop locally baked artisanal bread. I can't wait!

morel and asparagus toasts

arugula salad with roasted apricots, pistachios and goat cheese
wild mushroom crepes (vegetarian entree)
or
rack of lamb with fresh herbs and garlic
spring vegetable sautee
washington state rosé

strawberry rhubarb tartlets with buttermilk ice cream
coffee and tea

$45 per person

RSVP soon to secure your spot!

Spring 2009 Event Listing

Please join us for one or both of our Spring events.

The first is a fondue dinner night, served up in a casual European style at Chateau Olaiya on Saturday, April 18th. Plan to arrive at 7pm for the opening cocktail.

kirsch wine cocktail
classic emmenthal fondue
irish cheddar and stout fondue
artisanal bread
roasted vegetables
selection of nuts and fruit
white wine or beer
apple kuchen
espresso
$25 per person

Secondly, we will host a dinner on May 30th celebrating the flavors of Spring. This feast will feature asparagus, morels, fresh English peas, baby radishes, farm eggs, tender greens, strawberries, rhubarb... We will send out further information on this event, but feel free to RSVP early! Four courses plus wine for only $45.

Two Events for August

Please consider joining us for a couple of August fundraising events. Welcome Little Spark back into your life and enjoy the blessings of good eating, good company and good causes.

Summer Harvest Dinner

Saturday, August 9th

Featuring a chef's choice of the best of our local farmer's market fare
Think peak-of-summer tomatoes
Juicy ripe peaches
Tender green beans
Foraged mushrooms

Sweet corn
Melons
Homemade ice cream
And a crisp white wine perfect for summertime!

Cost of $45 per person

And

The First Ever Little Spark Spectration Event

An outdoor projection of Stand By Me in Olaiya's lovely backyard garden

Saturday, August 30

White Truffle Popcorn
Spicy Caramel Corn
Popsicles

Real Deal Nachos
Homemade Pretzels
Assorted Candy
Soda & Beer

Low, low cost of $20 per person

Full Speed Ahead on Two New Events

Please read below for the details on two new ways to enjoy Olaiya's fantastic cooking and support our fundraising efforts. If you would like to attend, please RSVP as soon as possible! We're hoping to renew the good energy around The Full Belly Seattle, and expect both events to fill up quickly. Feel free to invite a friend as well!

Saturday March 29th, 6pm at John's apartment:

The End of Winter, Last Chance for Soup Group

featuring

Creamy parsnip soup with almond/parsley pesto

Country butterbean soup with marjoram

(vegetarian or with smoked ham hocks)

Platter of assorted cheeses and rustic bread

Tarte tatin with creme fraiche

A deep and round Cabernet

redesigned at the last minute as an Italian feast... a great success!

And Sunday, April 20th, 11am at John's apartment:

April Flowers Spring Brunch

featuring

Blueberry pecan french toast

Fluffy scrambled eggs with chevre

Vegetarian sausage links

Seasonal fruit plates

Tangerine mimosas, coffee and tea

for just $25 per person

Fall Events Line-Up

Since we decided to take a wee vacation in the month of September, we'll be running just two fundraiser events for this Fall. Per our usual format, we'll accept reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, October 20th, 7:00 pm

Fall Harvest Feast

Roasted hazelnuts with thyme and sea salt

Pear with carmelized onion and taleggio cheese

Roasted pumpkin soup with black pepper croutons

Choice of seared organic strip steak with gorgonzola butter

or

Wild mushroom tartlet (vegetarian)

Turnip gratin

Braised black kale

Vanilla poached plum brulee

Seating limited to eight. $45 per person including wine.

(Event was a success!)
~and~

Saturday, November 17th, 6:00 pm

Belgian Beer Tasting

featuring

A flight of quality Belgian brews including generous samples of:

Duvel Golden Ale (8.5%) A light amber, creamy ale

Bornem Double (8%) A nutbrown delight

Gulden Draak (10.5%) A heavier, sweeter dark amber

and Boomgaard Framboise (4.1%) A refreshing raspberry brew

served with

Grilled cheese sandwiches
with carmelized pear, gruyere and ham (optional)

and relish plate

Seating limited to twelve. $25 per person.

(There's still plenty of seats left for this event.)

Summer Schedule

The Full Belly Seattle is happy to announce our first season of events. Please peruse our Summer Schedule below and let us know as soon as possible which event or events you would like to attend. RSVPs will be collected via email and seating will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. Events will include two alcoholic beverages, unless otherwise stated. Guests who would like additional beverages are invited to bring their own bottles or make arrangements with the chef. Non-alcoholic beverages will also be provided. All events, unless otherwise specified, will be held at our apartment.

Saturday, June 30, 2007 - Spring into Summer Dinner
Morel, asparagus & ricotta toasts
Summer market greens with shallot vinaigrette
Handmade beet ravioli with creamy ricotta, goat cheese & mint
Chilled green melon soup
Cherry frangipane tart with creme fraiche ice cream
$30 including wine
This event was a smashing success!
Saturday, July 21st, 2007 - French & Moroccan Mid-Summer's Night
Pomegranate champagne cocktail toastSpiced marcona almondsApricot coins with white beans, green olives & peppersPeach, hazelnut & goat cheese saladRoast lamb with pistachio-cilantro pestoorRoasted summer vegetables with pistachio-cilantro pestoWilted cherry tomatoes with fresh mintCouscous
Coffee custard with shaved dark chocolate$45 including wine
This event has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts :(
Friday, August 24th, 2007 - End of Summer Barbecue
Mozzarella stuffed grilled portobellos with balsamic marinadeGrilled rustic sausage or vegetarian bratwurst
Chipotle baked beans
Sweet corn on the cob with chili-lime aioli Homemade seasonal ice cream
$20 including beer
(outdoor location to be announced - possibly Volunteer Park)
We've frozen the RSVP list at 20 people for now!