Briefs for Feb. 9, 2012
Saffiotti to receive lifetime award
Tullio Saffiotti will receive the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society’s 2012 Grace “Mama” Marino Lifetime Achievement Award.
Saffiotti, born in Sicily, worked abroad in the seafood processing business before meeting Baton Rouge native Elanora Bologna in Italy in 1963. He moved to Baton Rouge in 1964, married Bologna, and joined his wife’s father, Joe, owner of Bologna Brothers Wholesale, taking charge of the restaurant development and fine wine division, eventually growing to a statewide company.
Saffiotti educated retailers and restauranteurs on fine wine, increasing sales of both European and California wines in the process.
“He became a mentor and teacher to a number of us who are in the wholesale beverage, retail and restaurant business today such as Gino Marino, Charles Calandro, Steve Staples, Scott Callais, Justin McDonald, Michael Masson and Kevin Kimball,” said Paul Bologna, an Epicurean Society board member and owner of Paul Bologna Fine Wines. “He is directly responsible for bringing in the wines of Freixenet, Chateau Montelena, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Chateau St. Jean, Sterling VIneyards, Sebastiani Vineyards and Sutter Home to the Louisiana market.”
Saffiotti, 83, retired in 2010. He is the sixth recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Previous recipients include Grace “Mama” Marino, T.J. Moran, Frank Bologna, Charles Brandt and John Folse.
Wine dinner set
Feb. 16 at Juban’s
Juban’s presents the August Briggs Wine Dinner on Feb. 16. A reception starts at 6:15 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m., served by Chef Jaime Hernandez.
Dinner will include Lobster Raviolo, with Maine lobster, sherry bisque, dill and chive crème fraiche and local caviar, paired with 2009 August Briggs Chardonnay, Russian River; Duck Confit and Spinach Salad, served with strawberry and rosewater vinaigrette, crumbled blue cheese and toasted pecans, paired with 2009 August Briggs Pinot Noir, Russian River; Beef Wellington with August Briggs Cabernet Sauvignon, “Two Moon Vineyard,” Dry Creek Valley; a cheese course featuring cheese from Belle Ecorce Farms and served with 2009 August Briggs Zinfandel, “Old Vines,” Napa Valley; and a White Chocolate Bread Pudding Soufflé with blueberry and spiced rum anglaise paired with 2008 Four Vines Zinfandel Port, Paso Robles.
Tickets are $75 per person, not including tax or gratuity.
August Briggs is an employee-owned winery headed by Joe Briggs. Special guest will be Jesse Inman, winemaker and co-owner of August Briggs. For reservations, call (225) 346-8422.
Compiled by
Advocate Food staff