Last Friday, Passion for Spices celebrated a very special milestone: its fifteenth anniversary. The party kicked off with shots of gazpacho, a recipe brought to us by Chef Maria Marone and her 98-year-old grandmother all the way from Gailitiea, Spain.
The night opened with Christina Amundson introducing May Fridel, owner and founder of Passion for Spices. Christina explained the vision and dream for Passion for Spices. She discussed how her son, Thomas Amundson, one of the chefs at Passion for Spices, designed the logo. He was inspired by the organization’s vision for sustainability and the use of natural ingredients.
There was also a plethora of local businesses in attendance, including D’Artagnan meats, who provided a bountiful charcuterie spread, which incorporated Valley Shepherd Cheese and Harvest Drop vegetables and squash blossoms. Also present was Ivan Ruiz, owner of the Wine List in Summit, who showcased some sustainable wine selections to the guests. There was also the newly opened Indian Kitchen and Grill, which curated a delicious sampling of the Indian street food offered at their restaurant in Madison.
The Passion for Spices Kitchen and its chefs were hard at work to create an ample assortment of mouthwatering dishes. The menu included a crudité of seasonal vegetables and fried squash blossoms. There were also spiced turkey meatballs with mint chutney served on naan and Korean gochujang chicken lollipops. In the kitchen, there was a dumpling-making workshop, where guests were able to fold gyoza along with a vegetarian version for the non-meat eaters. With a menu this tempting, it's a miracle anyone had room for dessert. However, there was still a line for the vanilla ice cream and blueberry sauce. Another sweet treat included gulab jamun, which was provided by the wonderful Indian Kitchen and Grill.
And with that, another Passion for Spices event came to a close. Friends, family, and business community came together for a wonderful celebration, and it was the perfect embodiment of what Passion for Spices is always working towards: quality food and people to break bread with. A special thank you to the Suburban Chamber of Commerce members who took time out of their busy schedules to celebrate with us. Below are some pictures and highlights from the event.
Although this was a celebration of how far we’ve come, we have no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. Be on the lookout for new releases for our spice line, a scenic trip to the Finger Lakes, and new membership opportunities. For young chefs wanting to hone their skills, the Passion for Spices cooking camp is fast approaching– sign up before spots run out! In addition to our annual camp, we have some exciting cook classes coming up. We invite everyone to join us for specialized classes from around the world, featuring vibrant recipes and masterful chefs. Please visit the website for the upcoming schedule and feel free to follow us on Instagram to stay updated!
