Saturday is Winter Park Library’s annual Bash for Books, which is not the same thing as a book bashing. Bash for Books is a big party with food, wine and auctions to raise money for the library so it can buy things and fight against book bashers.
I’ve been to this event several times and one year I bought an auction item that turned out to be even better than I thought it would be. The original item was dinner in the home of Dishy Diva Pam Brandon prepared by her and Sentinel food editor Heather McPherson. And wine pairings selected by Brandon’s husband, Steve, who knows something about good wine.
But when we arrived for the evening of fantastic food, we were surprised to find that instead of Pam and Heather doing the cooking, they had enticed Scott and Marianne Hunnel. Wow, what a night of incredible food. The moral is that you never know what you’ll get when you bid on something at Bash for Books.
But even if you don’t buy something, there’s plenty of good food and wine to be had. For example, you can have salmon salad and vichyssoise from Chez Vincent; seafood paella, garbanzo frito and croquetas de jamon from El Bodegon; fish & chips and shrimp and grits from Logan’s Bistro (and if you want to know how I feel about the shrimp and grits from Logan’s, read my recent review); and Tuscan mac & cheese and “our family meatballs” from K Restaurant. (“Our family meatballs” refers to a recipe from the Fonzo family and does not actually refer to chefs kevin and greg. I’m pretty sure.) And wine, wine, wine.
Entertainment, too. Music will be provided by a band called No Smoking, which is perfect for a party taking place around so many books. And Michael Andrew is scheduled to get up and do a number (meaning that he’ll sing; see previous note about No Smoking).
Then, when the official Bash ends, everyone is invited to the after-bash at Hannibal’s on the Square. Sort of a Bashlette Party.
The main bash is Saturday, March 13, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Winter Park Public Library. Cost is $75 in advance or $100 at the door. You can go online here to purchase tickets (and see all the items up for auction) or call the library’s circulation desk at 407-623-3300. You have until 3 p.m. Saturday to get the advance price, so get going. I’ll see you there.
