We're back from a brief hiatus and coming at you this week with three tips from guest editor Keya Wingfield designed to help you celebrate and explore this place we love to call home.
Equal parts chef, entrepreneur, instructor, and mother, Chef Keya is as dynamic as the food she creates. While her formal culinary education took place in RVA, her love and passion for food began in her hometown of Bombay, India. The reigning champion of Food Network’s “Spring Baking Championship,” Keya not only enjoys baking, but is also involved in other ventures, such as recipe development, as well as her own brand of potato chips, aptly named “Bombay Chips.” Owning her own business for almost fifteen years has given Keya a unique perspective on how food can bring people, and cultures, together. A common thread throughout everything she does is adapting the roots of her rich heritage to the world at large. While thousands have enjoyed Keya’s food, her biggest challenge to date is getting her three-year old to eat something other than Mac and Cheese.
Take it away, Keya...
Temptation Free
Tasting at Point 5
Point 5 is our city’s first stand-alone alcohol free bottle shop. They have everything you can possibly need to stock your nonalcoholic bar. I personally love nonalcoholic beverages and the options at Point 5 are phenomenal. You’ll be able to sample from Crescent Simples and Dhos Spirits at the Temptation Free Tasting Event on April 15th form 12 pm to 4 pm. I can vouch for Crescent Simples, they carry a line of simple syrups made with fresh fruit, herbs, raw sugar and no preservatives. I’m excited to get to know more about Dhos Spirits, they hand craft zero sugar, 0 to 5 calories, certified pesticide and alcohol free spirits.
Vitals:
Point 5 / 3435 W. Cary Street / Temptation Free Tasting Event --April 15 from noon to 4 pm
Welcome Spring
Garden Party
Pinky’s is one of those restaurants built with heart and love and I’m always up for supporting their events, like the Welcome Spring Garden Party on April 17th from 5 pm to 8 pm. This one in particular caught my eye because of its mission, which is to benefit Birth In Color RVA. There will be cocktails, vendors like our beloved Belle Isle Moonshine and fluffy clouds of marshmallows and desserts by Karmalitas, music by DJ Ant Boogie, and food of course to ring in spring patio season. If there is one thing we love in our city, its patio season, a crisp cool cocktail and a sundress. I’ll see you there!
Vitals:
Pinky's / 3015 Norfolk St. / Welcome Spring Garden Party -- April 17 from 5 pm to 8 pm
Elephant & Piggie
at Virginia Rep
In talking about events around town, I can’t leave out the little ones. I’ll be taking my 4 year old to this adorable vaudevillian romp called Elephant & Piggie by Virginia Rep's Children's Entertainment & Education. Written by Mo Willems, Elephant & Piggie is the perfect way to introduce young ones to the joy of putting on a play. An elephant named Gerald and a pig named Piggie solve problems, sing, make each other laugh and even teach the audience a dance known as the Flippy Floppy Floory. It’s too adorable to miss! Best for ages 3 to 7.
Vitals:
Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education / 4204 Hermitage Rd. (Previously the Scottish Rite Temple) / Elephant & Piggie's "We Are in a Play" -- April 14th through May 7th
More from Chef Keya
Food is Keya's love language and she puts her heart into everything she creates. If you'd like to follow her adventures beyond today's tips for Here Weekly, give her a follow on Instagram and check out her popular cooking channel on YouTube. Keya also offers a chance to bake with her as part of a variety of class offerings and she runs a dessert studio, formerly known as Candy Valley Cake Company, now called Keya & Co.
