This time last year I was contacted by a neighbor about helping spread the word for Broad Appetit. At the time, I didn’t know much about the event (or how to put an accent over a letter in a blog post).  What if the event sucks?  I can’t cheer-lead for a bad food festival.  Well, Broad Appetit did not suck.  It was awesome, despite my skepticism. With all those restaurants putting their little plates out there like a Top Chef “quick fire challenge,”  Karen and I had a great time playing judge, even with our newborn Jasper in tow (he slept thru the whole thing).  This year, on Sunday June 7th, all the hot new restaurants are scheduled to be catering the party on Broad Street (Black Sheep, Cafe Rustica, Savor, The Phoenician, cupcakes from The Sweetest Thing, and the addictive macarons of Petites Bouchees).   You can read my play-by-play from last year, including my verdict for on the best dish. I still haven’t figured out how to put an accent over the “e” in appetit, but I think the event will grow bigger and better nonetheless.*

If you wanna pitch in, Broad Appetit is calling for all hands on deck to carry out the festivities.  It might be a good idea to put in some time working up an appetite before strapping on the feedbag, or working off the effects of the fusion cuisine of several decadent portions intermingling in your belly.  Here’s their call to action.  Getting involved seems pretty simple.  Molecular gastronomy will be an exhibition this year.  If you’re into bug-eating, they’re doing that one again too.  Plus, cooking for/with children and I hear they’re looking for an ice sculptor (contact them if you have a connection).

Here are the food-fest volunteering details:

Calling All Foodies!

Broad Appétit, the region’s newest food event, is gearing up for the 2^nd annual “smorgasbord in the street”! Scheduled for Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 12-5pm. The festival has recruited twice as many restaurants as last year-over 50! and promises to set a new standard for celebrating local food and cuisine. This year’s event is hosted by Downtown Neighborhood Association to benefit Meals on Wheels and The Central Virginia Food Bank.

With that said we need volunteers to help make the festival day run as smoothly as possible and hope you will spend the day with us!

You can sign up online at www.broadappetit.com at any time! Volunteer roles include:

• Beer Pourers
• Wine Pourers
• Command Center (info tent/volunteer check in)
• Bug CHEF assistants

There are 2 shifts: 11:30-2:30 and from 2:30-5pm

All volunteers will receive a t-shirt and a coupon good for sampling at one of our 58 restaurants!

Tracey Leverty

Echelon Event Management

*Full disclosure: My wife recently did some graphic design work on Broad Appetit promotional materials for Echelon Even Management who also agreed to put an ad on on the Eating Richmond food blog aggregator. I’m not sure this blog entry would have come out much differently without those factors, but the Food Blog Code of Ethics compelled me to share that.