Yesenia Hernandez
Palate Party is scheduled to appear at Jupiter’s first major food truck party

Good news, thin-blooded South Floridians. Last weekend’s “frigid” (read: glorious) cooler temps will start melting away in the next few days, and the forecast for the weekend is looking pretty damned fine. Get out of the house, sans parka this time, and check out what’s shaking in the Broward and Palm Beach County food and drink scenes. Five ideas for the weekend, after the jump.

5. Passover Cooking Contest
Josef’s Table in Boca Raton has called on locals to share their favorite seder side and dessert dishes in a Passover Cooking Contest at 3 p.m. Thursday. Contestants have been asked to bring along their recipes and samples of the dishes like vegetable medley, sponge cake, meringue cookies, and spinach kugel. The contest is in anticipation of Josef’s Table’s Passover dinner on March 25 and 26. Call 954-290-3521.

4. Stout App Night: Drink on the Dark Side
Beer and tech geek cultures converge at Thursday night’s Stout App Night: Drink on the Dark Side at Kahuna Bar & Grill in Deerfield Beach. The bar will host a launch party for the new beer app, Stout, starting at 8 tonight. There’s no admission charge, and the first 50 attendees get a free beer. Other food and drink specials — including craft brews — will be available.

3. The Ultimate Chefs’ Dinner
Four South Florida chefs, including Lenore Nolan-Ryan, will chip in for a four course chefs’ dinner Sunday night at the Pavilion Grille in Boca Raton. The dinner is 6 to 8 p.m. and tickets are $100. Proceeds will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida. Call 954-315-4057.

2. Nosh Fest IV: South Florida’s Jewish Food Festival
Passover is just around the corner and The Nosh Fest will be stocked with tons of tasty and traditional Jewish treats. The fest is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at Temple Beth Emet in Cooper City. The cost of admission is five nonperishable food items. The collected food will be distributed among Feeding South Florida of Pembroke Park, WECARE Food Pantry of Broward County, and Jewish Family Service of Broward County. Bites will be available for $2 to $4 with options like a Romanian pastrami sandwich, falafel, and stuffed cabbage, plus other dishes.

1. Food truck fest in Jupiter
About two dozen food trucks are scheduled to appear in Saturday’s Food Truck Fest at Riverwalk Events Plaza in Jupiter. Among those expected are Bite Gastrotruck, Palate Party, Tacos Al Carbon, Fry Daddy, and many others. The event is 5 to 10 p.m., and there’s no admission charge, though you should bring cash to purchase dinner and snacks. Attendees can vote for a People’s Choice winner from among the trucks. Bring your own chair.

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/cleanplatecharlie/2013/03/south_florida_events_march_2013.php

Jochen Esser, a foodie from Deerfield Beach, says it’s about time.

More times than he can remember, Esser has traveled to Miami to partake in the fare offered by food trucks, the hottest dining trend to hit the food world in years.

“I thought it was a shame that we didn’t have anything going up here in north Broward and Palm Beach County,” says Esser, who works in Internet marketing, but studied hospitality and tourism management in college.

Next Wednesday, after months of planning, Esser’s Gourmet Food Truck Expo comes to Boca Raton. Twenty-five trucks will be open for business from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Boomers! Boca Raton, 3100 Airport Road.

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-05-05/features/fl-food-truck-050511-20110505_1_food-trucks-food-world-hood

Courtesy of Mike Saperstein, Owner

Just because it’s May 6 doesn’t mean the Mexican festivities should stop. At El Jefe Luchador in Deerfield Beach, they don’t just celebrate the 5th of May, they celebrate every day.

Well, starting Tuesday they will, when they have their official grand opening. Tonight, Saturday and Monday, from 4-10 pm, the Mexican restaurant will continue to serve guests during their soft launch. Owner Mike Saperstein, who also operates Charm City Burgers across the street from El Jefe, had the idea of traditional Mexican street food before he started flipping burgers.

“I eat Mexican more than any other food, usually three times a week,” Saperstein says. “Before we opened Charm City, [co-owner Evan and I] wanted to open a street-style taco place.”

Saperstein compares the operation’s quick service to Chipotle Mexican grill, but across the street is a different fast-casual Mexican food joint, Tijuana Flats, an Orlando-based chain that has swiffered across South Florida over the last five years. Saperstein says while they serve similar food, El Jefe isn’t in competition with them.

“We have higher quality meats, we carry corn tortillas,” he says. “We don’t have any competition in this area.” Not even against themselves, apparently, despite Charm City being in the same plaza as Tijuana Flats.

What stands out? The trompo (meat spit) that cooks the al pastor meat daily, serving tacos at $2.50 each. Don’t look for the flour tortillas, either. The restaurant only serves corn. With the beer and wine license set to be approved by Tuesday, according to Saperstein, the restaurant will be serving up homemade sangrias in 32 oz mason jars.

El Jefe Luchador, meaning “The Chief Fighter,” is based on Saperstein’s admiration of Spanish-style wrestling. No word yet if employees will be wearing masks as part of the required dress code.

El Jefe Luchador
27 South Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
(954) 246-5333
http://www.eljefeluchador.com (website currently under construction)

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/cleanplatecharlie/2011/05/el_jefe_luchador_deerfield_beach.php