What's Cooking

Get Out!

by Erin Szrankowski

[ the week in eats ]

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Award-winning star chef Marcus Samuelsson is bringing Scandinavian cuisine to Philadelphia in partnership with the Philadelphia chapter of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce. Samuelsson will do a live cooking demo and tasting at the I-House, presenting eight dishes from his forthcoming The New American Table (Wiley). Samplings will include salmon ceviche with soy jelly; lemon-poached venison loin with caramelized salsify and carrots; and a red berry cobbler with curry sabayon. Stay after the demo for a signing, where Samuelsson will John Hancock his last book, The Soul of a New Cuisine: A Discovery of the Foods and Flavors of Africa. International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 215-895-6543, ihousephilly.org.

The third annual A Full Plate Rib Cook-Off, held on Hancock Street behind the Piazza at Schmidts, will see both amateur and professional competitors battling it out to see who's best in the categories of meat and vegetarian ribs, brisket and, of course, the ever-mysterious "anything goes," details about which won't be revealed until cooking time. Twenty dollars at the door gives you the ability to sample all of the contestants' creations, A Full Plate's veggie side dishes, samples of ROOT liquor and beer from Stoudt's. Winners will receive prize packages (like barbecuing goods made out of bike parts, among other quirky stuff) as well as cash for placing first. For more info, visit afullplateannualribcookoff.com.

Center City Restaurant Week means eating rich on the cheap, so why not try to get the most bang for your 35 bucks? Most of the 100-plus restaurants boast three-course dinners for that set price, and with the addition of $20 three- to four-course lunch menus, noontime munchers can dine inexpensively, too. But this year, try for reservations at places like Zahav, Chifa and Smokin' Betty's, all of which are offering an extra dinner course. For a full list of participants, visit centercityphila.org/restaurantweek.

The White Dog Café's Dance of the Ripe Tomatoes benefits the Philadelphia Fair Food Project, which promotes locally grown food in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area. For $25 the public is welcome to an array of succulent eats, like a roast pig sandwich and lamb Bolognese stations, tomato gazpacho shooters, ahi tuna wontons and more; they'll also be pouring beer from Flying Fish. After the food, there'll be presentations from Fair Food director Ann Karlen and Grace Wicks, daughter of White Dog founder Judy Wicks. The night ends with music from the West Philadelphia Orchestra. White Dog Café, 3420 Sansom St., 215-627-1060, whitedog.com.

It's unlimited farm fun, food fun and beer fun at SPTR: Chefs Scott Schroeder (SPTR), Sheri Wade (Southwark), Gene Giuffi (Cochon), Nick Macri (Beneluxx) and Patrick O'Malley (New York's Balthazar) are teaming up to cook a buffet-style meal. The chefs' menus aren't settled just yet, but we hear you'll have access to eats along the lines of stuffed duck, charcuterie, a summer veggie spread and scratch-baked breads and pastries. On the beer end, they'll have 10 special beers on tap (Ommegang's Hennepin, St. Feuillien's Saison) and even more in bottles. Purchase tickets on SPTR's Web site or at the bar. South Philly Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St., 215-271-7787, southphiladelphiataproom.com.