Portland’s Big‑Name Chef Parties

A few weeks ago, a chef from New York’s top restaurant Atomix announced a joint dinner in Portland. The buzz around that event is huge, but it’s just one of many star‑chef gatherings in the city. One of the local spots that keeps the culinary crowd excited is Cafe Rowan on 4437 S. E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. Since November, the brunch‑spot has invited top chefs from places like New York, Chicago and Denver for a series of special meals. The tickets are $125 each, or $145 if you want to sit at the chef’s counter. The event is called “A Culinary Harmony. ” The next big dinner I’m planning to attend is a trio of chefs: Fidel Caballero from Corima in New York, Galen Kennemer from One White Street also in New York, and Spencer Ivankoe of Cafe Rowan. It will happen on April 10 and 11. Corima is a modern Mexican restaurant that earned one Michelin star, and the New York Times praised it just last week.In Northwest Portland, a chef named Gabriel Pascuzzi from Bistecca is running his own monthly “I Heart Portland” series. He wants to prove that the city remains a top national food destination. His guests have included Brother Luck from Colorado Springs, Brittany Cochran from Stagioni and former Top Chef contestant Joe Sasto. Tickets cost $155 a person. At the Ritz‑Carlton’s Bellpine restaurant, chef de cuisine Jocelyn Chacón is putting together a one‑night five‑course dinner with Food Network star Amanda Freitag and chef‑farmer Stacey Givens. The goal is to honor Oregon’s spring harvest on April 2. This pricey affair sells tickets for $395 each. Not only are out‑of‑state chefs arriving, but local places are also hosting guest cooks. Oven & Shaker on 1134 N. W. Everett St. will start a pizza series this month, featuring chefs like Rick Gencarelli of Bluto’s in March and Ryan Roadhouse of Nodoguro in April. The lineup continues with other chefs through August.