Our Request for Proposals period has officially closed!

Thank you so much for your submissions and ideas. We've got our work cut out for us this week and will be emailing back all who submitted early next week.

This Thursday: DISHES info sessions!

Are you interested in submitting a DISHES application but have questions? There's good news! We're partnering with the Gifford Foundation to host two info-sessions this Thursday, November 10th: 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The sessions will take place at 126 N. Salina Street, 100 Clinton Square, 3rd Floor.

Please RSVP for the time that works best for you - saltcitydishes@gmail.com. Parking will be available (and validated) in the lot behind the building.

Our favorite time of the year is here...

Syracuse, we're so excited to see your creative and passionate proposals for how you'd enliven Syracuse. If you're ready to fill out an application - hit the 'Requests for Proposals' tab on our website.

Don't forget - DISHES looks for projects that include a public component; are well-developed/past the "idea-stage"; will take place in Syracuse, NY; and are scheduled to happen/launch within one year of winning the grant.

Want to attend an info session to learn what DISHES is all about? Let us know by sending us an email (saltcitydishes@gmail.com).

Many thanks to designer Tommy Lincoln for making our RFP so gorgeous. 

Sign up for our mailing list!

Are you signed up for our mailing list? To view the most recent email, click here. 

Checking in on Syracuse Plays Chess

             Anton Ninno is not a chess master. He’ll be the first to tell you that. He’ll also be the first to tell you about the power of chess. Regardless of whether you’re rich or poor, a nerd or a jock, you can enjoy a game. Regardless of your skin color or your native tongue, you speak the same language when you play chess.

            “Chess is magic,” Anton said. “It just works for some kids. I don’t know why.”

            Anton is the founder of Syracuse NY Chess Association, the winner of the top prize $2,000 grant at the most recent Salt City DISHES community dinner. Syracuse Chess aims to teach children life skills through chess clubs and tournaments.

            He was introduced to DISHES by his daughter, who mentioned that it might be a good way to get the word out about the Syracuse NY Chess Association. Anton approached the presentation with hopes of networking.

            “I was as surprised as anyone that we actually won,” he said.

            The attitude he hopes to instill in young chess players is the same; it’s more than just victory or defeat, it’s the words you share in the meantime.

            “It doesn't matter if you’re the winner or the loser,” he explained. “You do the same thing. You have the same conversation.”

            Since winning the grant, Anton and his team have been expanding their reach to local libraries and community centers around the city. They teach chess workshops and help organize tournaments. Each location has its own flavor, he explained, adding that while the program was designed for children, Syracuse Chess has managed to reach adults, too.

            When it comes down to it, for anyone he’s teaching, chess is just a game. But it’s also so much more than that. For one student who joined chess club in first grade, the game might have been a nudge toward the right path for the future, Anton pondered, explaining that the young boy got serious about school because he wanted to stay in the club.

            “Maybe chess saved his life,” Anton said.

You can find additional coverage on the Syracuse NY Chess Association here:

• https://issuu.com/55plus-cny/docs/55_cny_-june-july_final/c/smdmkg4
• http://www.mysouthsidestand.com/more-news/chess-championship/
• http://www.mysouthsidestand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/TheStandSummer2016.pdf

To learn more about Syracuse NY Chess Association, search “Syracuse NY Chess” on Facebook.

DISHES turns 6!

This October marks 6 years since the DISHES concept was first conceived by Rachel Somerstein, inspired by a similar dinner she had attended in Brooklyn, NY, called F.E.A.S.T. A team of three, including Briana Kohlbrenner and Stasya Erickson, was formed in October 2010 and thus Salt City DISHES was born! Full of magic and celebration, the first DISHES dinner debuted on January 23, 2011. The event was an instant success with a sold-out crowd of 175 attendees and 9 exciting presentations. Here's a look back at our very first dinner captured by Daylight Blue Media.

Introducing our new co-director, Lorna!

The DISHES team is incredibly excited to announce a new addition, Lorna Oppedisano, who will help Jeremy and Stasya plan, sustain and grow DISHES. Lorna's been connected to DISHES since the very beginning and covered our very first event for the Syracuse New Times back in 2011. What has she been up to since then? Here's what she had to share with us...

What do you do for work?

I’m the managing editor of Syracuse Woman Magazine. We’re a monthly magazine that highlights the achievements of women in our area. In my day-to-day, I get the privilege to interview and write about these ladies, and I’m inspired by them daily. I also coordinate with a slew of extremely talented photographers and writers to produce content for the magazine.

What do you do when you’re not working?

What most people don’t know about me is that I’m an introvert. I love to be as involved as possible and meet new people, but when all is said and done, I like some time to myself to recharge. So when I’m not working, you’d probably find me either outside or at the gym running or hanging out with family and friends.

Why did you decide to get involved with DISHES?

I’ve been a fan of DISHES since the early days! Back in college, I interned at the Syracuse New Times. One of my first assignments was to write about Salt City DISHES. I met the folks involved in founding the event, and have stayed interested ever since. I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to be a part of it.

In your opinion, what’s the best part of the event?

That’s such a hard question! OK, if I just had to pick one thing, it’d be the fact that it’s a community event. I know that sounds simple, but there aren’t a ton of events that are by and for the community and open to anyone who wants to be involved.

Welcome, Lorna! We're so very excited to have you on board.

DISHES team seeks co-director!

We're on the hunt for new collaborators! If you’ve loved attending DISHES and want an opportunity to help grow, guide and plan the events – send your cover letter and resume to saltcitydishes@gmail.com by August 7^th.
 
Don't forget, this is a 100% volunteer position that requires a significant dedication of time and energy. Co-directors meet intensively September through March of each year. Applicants must be willing to commit to at least two years of work with DISHES, be strong communicators and organizers, proficient with social media, attentive to detail, and passionate and knowledgeable about Syracuse. Experience with fundraising and events management is a plus.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Syracuse Plays Chess wins $2,000 grand prize

We're pleased to announce that the 7th DISHES winner is Syracuse Plays Chess and our second place winner is Paint the Town! Stay tuned for more details once our team gets some well deserved rest.

7th DISHES is SOLD OUT!

It's official.... the 7th DISHES is SOLD OUT! We'll see all you ticket holders at 5 p.m. at 1342 Lancaster Ave.

Sneak peek before tomorrow's big event....

Online registration has closed!

We've still got a limited number of tickets available, so if you want them get in touch with us via email (saltcitydishes@gmail.com) and we'll add you to the list!

DISHES is here!

Remember, this year's DISHES is in a new location. We'll be at 1342 Lancaster Ave, at the Bishop Harrison Center, next to All Saints Parish.  

See you at 5pm on Sunday!

Tickets on sale now!

The event is almost here and that means it's time to buy your tickets! You can do so HERE.

On the registration page you'll see two options, one for $20 and another for $40. If you want to help

us sustain our increased prized amounts select the $40 option when purchasing your ticket. No special perks but you'll have our (and Syracuse's) eternal gratitude.

Don't forget, this year's event will take place in a different location: February 21, 5 p.m. at the Bishop Harrison Community Center at All Saints Parish (1342 Lancaster Ave).

We're also still looking for a few more volunteers for the weekend. If you're interested in helping out in exchange for a free ticket, please contact Annalena Davis at saltcitydishes@gmail.com and include “Volunteer Inquiry” in the subject line.

Thank You to our sponsors for all of your support!

CENTERSTATE CEO   AGENCY SPECIALISTS
MORE SOUND RECORDING STUDIO   SYRACUSE REAL FOOD CO-OP

And Thanks to the Following Local Farms & Businesses for Donations:
Main Street Farms
Stones Throw Farm
Greyrock Farm
Fruit of the Fungi
Cobblestone Valley Farm
My Lucky Tummy

Good Nature Brewing
Columbus Bakery

Welcome to our new Decorator!

Welcome to Lydia Mumford, of Lydia's Daily Thread, who will be decorating the space for DISHES 2016! We're excited to have her join the team and can't wait to see what she comes up with. Lydia spent half of the 80's and all of the 90's cozied up in a $1 house in Syracuse's Southside, wrapped in fairy-tale daydreams, hand-knit sweaters, and the rich love of her dear parents and two sisters. She spent years styling her dolls and later herself from her mother's attic textile trove, and working with her craftsman father in the basement woodshop. She has always been fascinated by transforming raw materials into finished objects.

Lydia still lives in Syracuse, in a little city bungalow with her husband and three kids. They always have a project (or a hundred!) to keep them entertained and now she's added DISHES to the list! Lydia works from home designing and creating finely-crafted textile items for Lydia's Daily Thread. She is inspired by theater, picture books, materials, the natural world, and the imaginations of children. Check out some of the amazing costumes she's created, or the many other textile designs on her facebook page. We know it's going to be a lot of fun working with her on the upcoming dinner!

Photography by Erika Brunner

Thank You More Sound Recording Studio!

A BIG THANKS to More Sound Recording Studio for being this year's Local Music Sponsor! More Sound has been working hard to bring the Syracuse music scene to life, and their support means the world to us.

More about More Sound:

Located in between downtown and the historic Hawley-Green neighborhood, More Sound Recording Studio provides recording, mixing and mastering services for all types of music. Frequented by locals and out-of-towners, the studio has gained an international reputation for its rich recordings, comfortable accommodations, and affordable rates. Founder Jason "Jocko" Randall and his team of talented engineers bring a level of professionalism and personal commitment that is hard to come by. This place is definitely worth the trip!


The Local Music Sponsor is one of several new sponsorship tiers created to help support Salt City DISHES. Sponsoring this event is a great way to build connections with diverse stakeholders throughout the community, while also supporting a great cause! If interested in sponsoring our February 21st event, please contact us!

Major Player at DISHES 2016!

We're stoked to have Major Player, a Syracuse band with a great vibe playing at DISHES this year.  If you haven't seen them around town yet, take a listen on youtube or at majorplayer.bandcamp.com where you can also buy their album, just released last month.  They're a bit of soul, trip-hop, indie, rock, and r&b all rolled into one. Or, as they describe it, their music is the oldies station playing on a transistor radio, traveling through space on a crash course for the asteroids of Shuggie Otis and Portishead. We can't wait to hear them live at DISHES, just over four weeks away!

They Call Themselves Roux

The ever changing landscape of food served at DISHES is a staple of our event, bringing attendees a complete dining experience involving local farms, talented cooks, & delicious food.

We are confident this year's dinner will not disappoint, as it will be spearheaded by two energetic friends who see themselves as a catalyst for food and design exploration. They call themselves Roux, where their crazy designs and delicious recipes come together into a unique eating experience that's both exciting and engaging. For them, it's all about enjoying good food and company, learning stories about people and places through food, and sharing that with everyone else at their pop-up dinners. Salt City DISHES is another way for Roux to do what they love, and we hope you'll enjoy them just as much as we do!

About our new Co-Chefs:
Roux is comprised of Ryn Adkins and Rohan Thakore. The duo are both designers, foodies, and lovers of all things craft. They are currently 5th year students at Syracuse University studying Industrial and Interaction Design. Together they started Roux, a pop-­up dining experience cross-pollinating food and design. They create intimate and interactive dinners that celebrate food as the ultimate material for the exploration of design and craft. They showcase the entire sensory experience of eating: from the food, to the atmosphere, and everything in between. Visit rouxdining.com to see what they've been up to and follow them on social media so you'll know where they'll be next!

Syracuse Real Food Co-op: Bringing Local Food to the Table

We are happy to announce the Syracuse Real Food Co-op as this year's "Community Table" Food Sponsor!* The Co-op is a member-owned grocery store located in the Westcott Nation. It brings together local farms, producers and a community of shoppers, who believe we can create a better world by supporting locally grown, ethically sourced & sustainable foods. We see the Co-op as an integral part of the Syracuse community, and the ideal sponsor for our locally sourced dinner. 

*The Community Table Sponsor is one of several new sponsorship tiers we created to help support Salt City DISHES. Sponsoring this event is a great way to build connections with diverse stakeholders throughout the community, while also supporting a great cause! If interested in sponsoring our February 21st event, please contact us!

Welcome to our new Photographer!

We are excited to have a new photographer join the DISHES team this year! Laurence Ford is a local photographer with a passion for food and its ability to bring people together. Laurence grew up in London and met an American while living in Spain, who brought him here. Since finishing his Masters in International Relations at SU he has been working on a number of refugee and community development projects in Syracuse.

Laurence is also a freelance photographer, caputuring anything from foodie events to family photoshoots and weddings. And we love, love, love his style! Just take a scroll through his facebook page and you'll see what we mean. The photos below are from a recent Farm to Fork 101 event at Laci's Tapas Bar. We're excited that he'll be capturing DISHES this year!

Photography by Laurence Ford

Happy 2016!

Happy New Year! We are super excited for this year's event and are so thankful for all who are a part of it - attendees, volunteers, sponsors, presenters, friends and family. Wishing everyone a healthy, creative & prosperous 2016!