Jon W. Sparks
Science of Wine celebrated its fourth anniversary at the Memphis Pink Palace.
I’m very glad Jonathan Magallanes didn’t make black bean tostadas at the fourth annual Science of Wine, which was held Oct. 12th at Memphis Pink Palace Museum.
I’m sure it would have tasted terrific, but the pineapple guacamole tostada he served instead was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.
“We were going to make black tostadas,” says Magallanes, who owns Las Tortugas restaurant. “And since pomegranates are just now in season, maybe do a new style of black bean tostada and maybe a little green salsa and cheese. But folks at Pink Palace were worried about using a propane burner to heat the dish.”
Magallanes told them it was no problem. “But this is two days before the event. So I came back and told my wife. And I was so frustrated. I really thought this was going to be a great dish.”
He told his wife, Lauren, “I think we’re going to do a tostada with avocado. Something simple.”
“My wife said, ‘Well, it better be delicious and not too simple because this is a great event.”
She reminded him of the pineapple guacamole tostada he once made for her. So, he made that and added fresh basil, cotija cheese, and pomegranate seeds. “As a chef you always have to have a plan B.”
This time, plan B was better than plan A, Magallanes says. The tostadas were extremely popular. “Some people came back four times.”
I was one of those people who ate four of the tostadas. I sort of hung around the food station asking for more. I loved the sweetness of the pomegranate seeds and the pineapple mixed with the savory ingredients.
I heard lots of accolades. One woman said she’d never eaten at Las Tortugas, but since eating his pineapple-guacamole tostada, she was going to visit the restaurant.
“It was slow going for a while,” Magallanes says. “And then we were doing them non-stop for about an hour. It ended up being great because I think it was easier to serve those. It was just as delicious and looked really pretty. It had a lot of color.”
So, is the pineapple guacamole tostada going on the Las Tortugas menu? “I think so.” he said. “When you have that kind of reaction I think it’d be wise to consider offering it on the menu.”
What would you drink with a pineapple guacamole tostada? “(It’s) lush, creamy, tropical, juicy. And that pairs perfectly with champagne.”
About 500 attended Science of Wine, where guests sipped wine, talked to wine experts and attended mini-lectures and wine-themed activities.
A total of $28,000 was raised. The money goes to the museum’s education department.
Michael Donahue
Jonathan Magallanes at Science of Wine
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Michael Donahue
Ruben Webber and Haki at Legends are Born in October Birthday Bash
Ruben Webber, owner of The Wing Factory, celebrated his birthday with a “Legends are Born in October Birthday Bash.”
This wasn’t just a few people gathering around and wishing Webber well. This was 100 people at a party, which was held Oct. 12 in a tent in front of The Wing Factory on Park with the street closed between Bruce and Philadelphia.
Guests paid $20, but 15 percent of the proceeds went to Melrose High School.
“I feel the need in the community,” Webber says. “The kids need supplies. The kids need football jerseys, basketball jerseys. They need washers and dryers at the school. It was on my heart to go meet their needs.”
Webber didn’t even go to Melrose; he went to Hamilton High School. “I’m in the Orange Mound community and Melrose and Orange Mound actually support my business. Melrose and Orange Mound combined together actually made Wing Factory. We plan on making it an annual event.”
On Nov. 5, The Wing Factory will have been in business 14 years, Webber says.
His famous fare wasn’t included among the party food offerings. “We didn’t serve wings. We served chicken salad, chicken Alfredo, meatballs. Stuff like that.”
The cake, a “Versace and Gucci cake combined,” bore the Versace and Gucci logos. “The cake was matching my outfit,” says Webber, who had on brown Gucci shoes with a floral design, Gucci jeans and long-sleeved Gucci shirt.
His buddy, Haki, also celebrated his birthday at the party. He wore Versace shoes, shirt and Versace accessories.
QUICK PIX
Michael Donahue
Tancie Lewis and Harm Thomas at Gibson’s Donuts.
Michael Donahue
Sea Sea Battle at Gibson’s Donuts.
Michael Donahue
Carter Lane and Kasey Hill at Sakura on Poplar.
Michael Donahue
Seen at Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Shawn Tillman, Felicia Tillman, Jamie Tillman, Jennifer Lantrip and Jacob Lantrip.
Michael Donahue
McCheyne and Saxton ‘Kidd’ on Front near Union.
Michael Donahue
Cornelius Meadows on Union near Main
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