Even though we can’t make it this year, we wanted to give a last shout out for Cuisine En Locale’s ONCE in Valhalla. We went last year, and I must say, it was a divinely tasty mid-winter locavore treat. Highly recommended! This year’s ONCE in Valhalla Feast is happening tomorrow, and I believe there might still be tickets available. Here’s the scoop:
ONCE in Valhalla Returns to the Armory for a Night of Locavore Viking Feasting and Mythological Hijinx
SOMERVILLE, MA, January 3, 2012 – The renegade locavore chefs and personalities of Somerville’s own Cuisine in Locale (enlocale.com) are at it again, this time with a deep winter ONCE (One Night Culinary Event) that blends locavorism and lore in one unforgettable four-hour food fest featuring ancient live music and inspired theatrics directed by Allegra Libonati of the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.).
On Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 7 p.m., the 2nd ever ONCE in Valhalla will bring together feats of derring-dining in the form of all-the-meat-you-can-eat (and veggie sacrifices, too), as revelers mix and mingle with Aesir Gods, trolls, gnomes and Valkyries in Odin’s Mighty Hall (the Center for Arts at the Armory). This savory Scandinavian saga will feature locally sourced courses incorporating fish, oats, grains, oysters, game, lamb, ham, turkey, cheese, and an array of overwintered fruits and roots. Tickets are $75 at brownpapertickets.com.
Featured local delights include Slumbrew Beer, Green River Ambrosia Mead, freshly shucked Island Creek Oysters, gorgeous meats from Hardwick, MA’s Stillman at the Turkey Farm, Four Star Farms grains, Sherman Market pantry staples, and a smörgåsbord of storage crops from Red Fire Farm, Winter Moon, Northstar Farms and others.
All proceeds from this event go towards the cost of production and supporting local businesses by purchasing directly from farms and producers whenever possible. For additional queries about Valhalla or Cuisine en Locale, please contact Angie Gaimari, angie@enlocale.com, 212-961-7560.
WHO: Cuisine en Locale (enlocale.com), the area’s premiere all-local cooking company
WHAT: ONCE in Valhalla – a locally sourced all-you-can-eat 10-course Nordic feast, featuring theatrical performances and live music.
WHEN: Saturday, January 21, 7–11 p.m.
WHERE: The Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA (map)
WHY: To celebrate, showcase and support local food culture and to transport Greater Bostonians to distant foreign lands in the dead of winter
HOW MUCH: Tickets are $75 at brownpapertickets.com, cash bar
WHAT TO WEAR: Artisanally knitted Valkyrie and Viking Helmets are available for purchase from Short Army, a Cambridge-based accessories company.
ABOUT CUISINE EN LOCALE
Cuisine en Locale (enlocale.com) is a locavore personal chef, catering and consulting service, based in Cambridge and Somerville, MA. Our team of creative cooks is dedicated to using only locally and regionally sourced ingredients to create deliciously seasonal meals all year round. Working directly with farmers and producers, we bring their food to table, making it good for them and the community at large. In addition to throwing grand scale, all-local food parties, we do a shared food program – think of it as a cooked CSA – called ONCE a Week; bringing healthy, wholesome meals to busy folks, and supporting local food systems at the same time.
ABOUT VALHALLA
The Vikings believed that when they fell in battle they would be swept up by Valkyries and carried up the rainbow bridge to Valhalla- Odin’s hall in the Aesir ‘heaven’, Asgard. In Valhalla the fallen heroes would fight all day, honing their battle skills, but at night they embraced and headed to the hall’s long tables to eat, drink, sing and dance.
