A handsome en croute from the country category. (Turned out to be Olympic Provisions.)
  • A handsome en croute from the "country" category. (Turned out to be Olympic Provisions.)

The Northwest Food and Wine Festival was this Saturday at the Lloyd Center Doubletree, and somehow I managed to wind up on the judging panel for their pâté competition. Lest you immediately dismiss this as a clear sham of a contest, also judging were several local chefs, game experts, and even an ACF Chefs de Cuisine Society of Oregon Chef of the Year - a guy who knew his aspic from a hole in the ground. While hundreds of ticket-holders milled about the crowded aisles getting their money's worth of pinot and stepped-up snacks, we worked through twenty entrants, eating what I estimate to be about two pounds of pâté a piece, which is only hard once you stop. Entrants competed on appearance, flavor, and texture, and while I was partial to the Larousse-looking masterpiece (turns out it was from Olympic), there was a tremendous amount of craftsmanship and talent on the table.

The Winners:

Traditional Style
1. Hall Street
2. A Cena Ristorante
3. Feastworks
4. Olympic Provisions

Country Style
1. Urban Farmer
2. Olympic Provisions (see above, a personal favorite)
3. Clyde Common
4. Allium Bistro

And now, more of the reason I'm making this post: sexy pictures.

A few of the twenty entries that day.
  • A few of the twenty entries that day.

No. 8.
  • No. 8.

From the country style category.
  • From the "country" style category.

From the traditional category.
  • From the "traditional" category.