An evening of Culinary Delights at the Historic Norwood Estate

Sunday, February 11, 2007 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Art's career as a chef began when he and his son joined a YMCA Indian Guides Troop in San Francisco in the late 1970s. He honed his skills by cooking for 30 to 50 people in a BBQ fire pit and over butane burners. Before long, campouts were scheduled solely around Art's availability to cook! Art left his "day job" in the executive recruiting field in 1992, when he opened Art & Larry's Deli, a New York-style delicatessen and full service restaurant. In 1998, Art moved into corporate catering, serving companies such as GE Financial and Smith & Hawken. Art and his wife Jan moved to Powhatan in 2003. He keeps busy with private caterings and part-time work at Pescado's and Sur La Table. He has also volunteered as a trainer, and as a member of the training Board of Directors at Positive Vibe Cafe'.

Rhode Island native Karen Amaral made Powhatan County her home in 1990. After many years of working in the food business for others, where she inevitably wound up in the kitchen, she realized her dream of restaurant ownership. She has been serving the lunch crowd at Buckingham Courthouse from her Buckingham Café, located in the Buckingham Arts building, since 2004. She is especially proud of her soups, made fresh daily.

Classically trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Executive Chef Brian Hubler of Independence Golf Club came to Powhatan from the number one rated Bandon Dunes Golf Club in Bandon, Oregon. Independence features the Charles House Bar and Grill where you can enjoy lunch or dinner, as well as full catering services and event management, in fact, Independence will be proudly hosting the Virginia State Open this summer.

Carlos Iga came to this country from Mexico to play soccer at West Virginia University in the mid 90s. His passion for cooking came about when he could not get true Mexican food in this country. Carlos has interned at La Cucina Del Sol in Charlottesville, is currently interning at Pescado's in Midlothian, and teaches classes at Sur La Table. He is nearing completion of the Culinary Arts degree at J. Sargeant Reynolds. Carlos lives in Powhatan with his wife Rachel and his one year old daughter, Raquel.

Ian and Robert are 2003 graduates of Powhatan High School, and they have quickly become rising starts on the Richmond restaurant scene. In Powhatan, Ian has worked at Manakintowne Specialty Growers, and he trained under Lisa Benusa of the Mill at Fine Creek. He is currently chef and partner at City Bar and Chop House in Shockoe Bottom with David Napier, where their outstanding execution of traditional fine Virginia cuisine consistently wins rave reviews. Southern Living magazine describes City Bar as having stellar food with uptown ambience. City Bar is a two-time winner of the March of Dimes Chefs' Auction Richmond Dish of the Year Award, Richmond Magazine's "Elite Eight" best new restaurants, and the Richmond Times-dispatch "Dining Pick 2006" Award.

Robert is Director of Catering for City Bar's catering division, David's White House Catering. As a member of Powhatan's Army National Guard Company 276 Engineering Brigade, Robert served in Iraq for five months in 2005. Thank you Robert!

Since her days in her mother's kitchen on the family farm near Lexington, Va., Becky Lillywhite has been a serious foodie. In 2003, with the support and encouragement of her friends Bob and Mary Anna Wilcox, she realized her longtime dream of opening her own restaurant. Becky's Tea Café at the Virginia Pantry has quickly become a gathering place for the community. Becky's is known throughout the region for fresh delicious lunches which may include her signature crab-cakes or the million dollar sandwich, beautiful high teas, and guest chef dinners. Becky herself is known for her support of small, local purveyors and for promoting other area chefs, and of course, for her extensive collection of tea cups and fun hats.

Todd is the chef and, with his wife Tina, the owner of Pescado's in Midlothian. His cooking is inspired by the exciting flavors of Latin America and the Caribbean, and he is known for using the freshest local ingredients available. He says that "everything good comes from Powhatan!" Todd's Voodoo Shrimp won the People's Choice Award at the Richmond 2006 March of Dimes Chefs' Auction, and Style Magazine just named Pescado's one of the top twelve restaurants of 2006. Todd credits Art Ganger with saving him from the alleyways of Richmond and turning him into a chef, or so says Art! At Pescado's, it's not fine dining, its fun dining!

Pete, a native of Michigan, has spent much time studying food and its affects while working in numerous health food stores and restaurants. At mamma 'zu, Pete learned all about garlic, and the importance of using fresh ingredients. After learning to make sushi at Hana Sushi, he opened the sushi bar at Sticky Rice. And as the original baker of Billybread, he learned to make a perfect whole grain sourdough loaf. It is only fitting that he should have met his wife Lory at the Seventeenth Street Farmers' Market! A passionate organic gardener, Pete continues to expand his culinary repertoire at the family farm, Manakintowne Specialty Growers.

Perrin's Catering came about as a result of the success Rick Perrin and his company have enjoyed since bringing his barbecue business to Powhatan. Rick competes nationally with his smoked meats on a Competition Cooking Team, taking first place for beef in the Washington, D.C. Safeway National Competition in 2003, among other awards. One of his specialties is his whole salmon, brined and smoked over alder wood. Perrin's offers a full line of catering services for all occasions.

After his studies at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, S.C. William Robertson of Cuisines by William began his cooking career in 1994 at The Butler's Pantry. Since then, he has done stints at Magnolia's and Blossom's Cafe in Charleston, and at The Island Grill in Richmond. William has served as Executive Chef at Bistro R, and currently works at the Commonwealth Club in Richmond. He is a great supporter of small farms and local producers, and currently serves on the steering committee of the Goochland Rural Market. He is looking for a house in Powhatan!

Jane Robison has been gardening organically and cooking on her family farm near Jefferson since the early eighties. She has traveled extensively, exploring cuisines around the world. Jane has practiced the culinary arts professionally as a grower at Manakintowne Specialty Growers, as a caterer, and most recently, she has taken up the spatula at the County Seat Restaurant, pursuing her passion for cooking for our community.

After earning a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, and completing internships at de Bistro Moderne and Le Bernadin, Sally returned to her home in Powhatan to launch her business, Sallyfood. Sally works as a private chef, specializing in small dinner and/or culinary instruction parties. Whenever possible, Sally uses organic and Powhatan grown produce from her own garden, from McSweeney Farm and from Manakintowne Specialty Growers, as well as organic, local meats in her seasonal menus. In addition to her work as a private chef, Sally helps out at Positive Vibe Café as a cook and volunteer trainer.

Joe has been in the food business for over 28 years, first in North Carolina, then in Virginia Beach, and now in Powhatan. True to Joe's Carolina roots, Turner's Barbecue and Catering specializes in authentic North Carolina style barbecue, ribs, beef brisket and down home cooking.

Douglas was born in Powhatan County, and is a lifelong resident. Upon graduation from the University of Richmond he did a tour of duty in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. Professionally, his administrative career has been in education, and in the medical field, at Huguenot Academy and at the Medical College of Virginia. Currently, he does consulting work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Douglas has always enjoyed cooking and has been active in two Gourmet Clubs for many years. His cocktail parties are legendary, and if he has a choice of what he is going to prepare for an event it is always a dessert. No "Taste of Powhatan" would be complete without Douglas Palmore!

Janie Dean needs no introduction in Powhatan County. As the proprietor of The County Seat Restaurant, her hospitality and community spirit are legendary. In business since 1993, The County Seat's dishes carry forward the Powhatan tradition of good honest farm fresh comfort foods that so many of us grew up on. It's no wonder many of us time our trips to the courthouse area with breakfast, lunch or supper at the County Seat, and organizations countywide have found they get the best attendance at meetings if they are held in Janie's back room close to mealtime!

Rebecca Lette, a Powhatan resident of three years, likes to bring family and loved ones together with good comfort food. Rebecca's at Maidens Loop seeks to provide that level of hospitality and more to the Powhatan and Goochland community. Her afternoon teas allow you to "escape to a level of spiritual peace." Her box lunches and carry out dinners feature such delights as Curry Chicken Salad and Peanut Butter Pie.

Shane Logan of Midlothian is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute of New York City. While in New York, he also spent time in the kitchen of Kitti Chai, which Food and Wine Magazine called the Best New Asian Restaurant of 2005, and as a pastry chef at McCormick & Schmicks, whose executive chef was recently featured on Iron Chef. He has worked recently at Lemaire at the Mobil Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Award winning Jefferson Hotel and Richmond. Shane currently works as a freelance chef and caterer, and he looks forward to putting his new smoker to good use. Shane's parents live in Powhatan, and are regulars at Becky's.

After eight years at her bed-and-breakfast wedding facility, Amber Grove Inn on Genito Road, Alice McBride has moved to Powhatan and has turned her focus to small, in-home elegant dinners and parties. One of her special interests is the variety of cheeses and their place at the table, from appetizer to dessert.

Fred Neurohr's cheesecakes entered the Powhatan scene when he first visited the newly opened Becky's Tea Café. Upon being asked by Becky and Mary Anna what he thought of his lunch, he replied "I think you ladies need one of my world-famous white chocolate cheesecakes!" They took him up on his offer, and a star was born. His grown children call his creations "Incredible Fredibles" and he is currently perfecting a Frangelica with Hazelnut White Chocolate Cheesecake. Fred bakes his cheesecakes and tends his extensive rose garden at historic French's Tavern on the Old Buckingham Road, where he and his wife Carolyn make their home.

Kari is a fifth grade student at Pocahontas Middle School in Powhatan. She has been baking with her mom since she was eight years old, and after giving away many of her baked goods to friends and family, she decided to start a business. With the help of her parents, Kari's Home Bakery is now shipping Kari's baked goods as far away as New York!

By the time Tina Ritzik moved to Powhatan to raise her family, she had 15 years experience in the restaurant business in Manhattan and Long Island. She opened Maidens Market here in 2004. Tina's specialties include coffee roasted in-house, creative lunches and pastries. Tina's current passion is for baking with flowers. Maidens Market is a welcome respite for those who travel on Route 522. Where else can you get a wrap, lavender cookies, gas for your car, and local tomatoes, all from someone who knows your name?