Community Dinner: Irish Colcannon (First Seating)
No green dye in the food. No silly little men meant to represent the children of the goddess, nor pale and soulless beer: come in to 18 Reasons and celebrate some real Irish and Irish-American food. Chef Mike grew up in house divided, with a Mom who wore Orange on St. Patrick’s day….until he found William Butler Yeats in a stack of college poetry and his Dad informed him he was a descendant. What followed was an odyssey into that half of his lineage, and a love of the food, folklore, and music of his Fathers. For this Community Dinner evening, get stuck into a bowl of Colcannon – Irish mashed potatoes and kale, mixed with butter and honest cream, and because times are good, some bacon. Because this is a celebration, we will carve some house-cured corned beef over the bowl, celebrating charcuterie and honoring the ancient cows of the Irish kings.
**Want to learn how to make this food? Join us on April 19 for a four-hour long class featuring this dish and more.**
Born in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, Mike Weller grew up in suburbs of San Jose, where he discovered cooking as his first profession and lifetime passion. After wandering through typical teenage jobs at pizza joints and ice cream parlors, Mike’s first “restaurant” job was with Sambo’s Coffee Shops, slinging hash and cooking eggs for the bar rush and Sunday breakfast crowds. He moved on to help open several restaurants, attend the California Culinary Academy, and study under European chefs with Michelin backgrounds. Later, Mike served as an executive chef for catering companies, wineries and country clubs. When his son was born, Mike transitioned his career into teaching, returning to the CCA where he eventually became the Executive Chef and Director of Academics. Having taught for Le Cordon Bleu North America in both online and brick and mortar schools, Mike is thrilled to return to teaching in a neighborhood-based community. When he is not teaching he tends to his backyard garden, helps his wife to can and preserve food, and loves to cook for his friends and family.
ABOUT COMMUNITY DINNER
A monthly tradition, we open our doors to friends new and old, welcoming all to our share a table and a delicious meal. Every dinner is something different and always tasty. Wine and beer are for sale at the event. Kids welcome!
For the second seating that begins at 7:30 pm, click here.
