Guest Post- All Lacquered Up Attends Market at the Foodbank

Hello, readers! Today, I have a guest post for you. I was unable to attend this year's Market at the Foodbank to benefit the Cleveland Foodbank, so I sent my good friend Michelle in my place so that she could report back to you about her experience at one of my favorite Cleveland food events. It was also her first time at the Foodbank's facility, and I'm glad that she got to see first-hand the impressive work that the organization is doing. Seeing the warehouse, filled with approximately 2 million pounds of food, leaves a lasting impression. It typically only takes about 3 weeks for all of that food to be distributed into the community. I am also happy to report that the event raised $233,000, which will provide 932,000 meals in local hunger centers. Wow!

Hi everyone! I'm Michelle and I write a nail focused beauty blog, All Lacquered Up. As much as I love nail polish, I'm just as passionate about food and Cleveland so I was thrilled to attend the Cleveland Foodbank's Market at the Foodbank on Katrina's behalf. A chance to sample dishes from thirty NEO restaurants? Count me in!

Market at the Foodbank benefits Harvest for Hunger, a 21 county food and fund drive, one of the largest programs of its kind in the country. Just one dollar provides four meals for those in need. Pretty incredible! I'll admit, this was my first trip to the Cleveland Foodbank. While I've known about the amazing work they do and seen the enormity of the building from the highway, I didn't truly have a grip on it all until I actually looked inside the warehouse. It's very inspiring.

Now let's talk about the food, shall we? The list of chefs in attendance was impressive and if the tables hadn't been spread out throughout the Foodbank, I would have been overwhelmed trying to decide where to go first. Our first stop ended up being one of the favorites of the night, The Grovewood Tavern. We've been to Grovewood multiple times and the food is always spot on. The duck breast is divine. Tonight they served up lamb sliders with rosemary cherry aioli using Fresh Fork meat. The lamb was perfectly cooked and the aioli was sweet yet earthy. A perfect combo.

My hands down favorite dish of the night came from my go-to Chinese restaurant, Pearl of the Orient. They served a crabmeat salad, peppered with chunks of avocado, that was so light and refreshing and bursting with flavor that I went back for seconds (and thirds, no shame!). This dish is not on their regular menu but it should be.

Now I haven't had a deviled egg in, well, I've never had one. I love, love, love hard boiled eggs but I'm not a fan of mustard or mayo so I've never tried them. But the ones from Press Wine Bar, a new fave spot of mine, looked so delicious with the tiny salad shrimp on top, I decided to give it a go. And, wow was it good. I'm officially a deviled egg fan. That's the bonus of this event, you can try foods outside your comfort zone with no real commitment.

Finally, my surprise of the night was a dish from Pickwick & Frolic. I normally think of it as the place I walk through to get to Hilarities, not giving the restaurant a second thought but after trying their lobster mac and cheese, they're worthy of another look. It was the love child of lobster bisque and traditional mac and cheese and I loved every bite!

It was a great night for a fabulous cause and I'm already counting down until next year. Thanks again Katrina! Disclosure: I was provided two general admission tickets to attend Market at the Foodbank. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Disclosure: I was provided with two media passes and two general admission tickets to giveaway in exchange for two blog posts. I am former employee of the Cleveland Foodbank, and a current Council member for the YP Pantry- their new young professionals group. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.