East Bay Food Fight

We came to contribute to a good cause and sample some of Oakland’s finest foods. But it seemed that a few vendors ran out of food long before the event ended. It was a bit frustrating to stand in a long line, which at tmes, didn’t seem to have order, only to get to the front and find out they were out of samples. The chef battles were interesting to watch but the sound system wasn’t so great and coupled with the acoustics, it was difficult to make out what was being said.
Overall, it was a good first effort and we enjoyed the few samples we did taste. And at the end of the day our money went to a good cause.

I had a really good time at the first ever East Bay Food Fight, it’s a great way to have a taste of some of the best food in the area. I sampled from a lot of restaurants that I probably would never heard of and will definitely be patronizing in the future. Some restaurants that I can remember:
Café Aquarius — that was a seriously bomb cinnamon roll, and who knew a biscuit with a little bit of jam could be such a perfect combination.
Xolo Taqueria — delicious taco/​tostado that was simple, yet flavorful.
Fentons — One of the places I’ve actually been too that has great ice cream.
Montclair Baking — that strawberry frosting on the cupcakes was light and fresh.
Kincaids — from right around the corner serving shrimp and cornbread.
Bellanico — I have no idea what exactly it was they served, but it was yum.
The event was held inside the old Barnes and Noble in Jack London Square, which was a surprise since I expected an event like this to be outdoors. It was a bit cramped but lines did move pretty well, I think it was a tad too packed though but it was a really good idea to put up a few stray tables with cutlery on it. Would have appreciated recycling or composting bins since there was so many single-​use items that trash piled up quick — they did encourage us to keep our plates and cutlery after some tables began running out.
I caught a glimpse of the «food fight», they had sectioned off a portion for people to sit but there wasn’t that much actual space. Overall, I think a slightly bigger or better spaced stations would have helped crowding, but great event to showcase some of the best of the East Bay!

Pretty good event considering it was the first East Bay Food Fight held and that it was hosted for a good cause to support the culinary program of St. Vincent de Paul.
I had been a volunteer and got to enjoy the event after my shift was over — got to see the EBFF from both the inside lines as well an attendee. The actual event was largely run by a big group of volunteers. Overall, I think they did a pretty good job with the set up considering this was the first East Bay Food Fight and St. Vincent de Paul has never hosted an event of this magnitude. I believe 1200 tickets had been sold.
There were probably 30 to 40 vendors — food, wine, and beer. I was glad that even 2 hours after the opening, there was still food/​drinks left. Some vendors did run out, but they did a pretty good job of keeping the sample sized goodies in stock. The lines were pretty reasonable — a few snaked 10 people long, and the line for chicken and waffles was consistently the longest.
I can’t remember all the vendors, but there was Fenton’s ice cream, Linden Street Brewery, Trumer Pils, Tay Ho 9, and Home of Chicken and Waffles.
There was a sectioned off area for VIPs, and they were doing food battles at the stage. A video of the battles was being played on the screen, although it made me a bit nauseous — footage was pretty wobbly.
Overall, a good event for a good cause. Based on the turnout this year, I’m guessing there’ll be another event next year.

Great event. I will be anticipating the 2^nd annual event and happy to give to this great cause. I am going to practice eating more in the meantime :)

Volunteered with a friend for this event — for a first time event this was pretty well organized. The event was sold out and they expected 1200 people. The old Barnes and Noble space turned into great venue space. Was wondering what the temp was gonna be like once all the people were inside but it remained very comfy! My volunteer post was patio support and I got to see the roasting of the piggy! How awesome was that!!! :) Also got to help control traffic flow in the area where they could drop off their food and décor — nothing but nice people all around — from the vendors, the event staff, Jack London staff, people passing by asking questions. My 4 hours of volunteer time was well worth the admit to the event — got to sample some great food — didn’t get around to all the tables but when I left I was stuffed! The room was nicely spaced and had plenty of bar tables available through out the room for you to sample your food, plenty of trash cans, tables remained clean for the next people that came along. Some long lines but they went quickly. I hope they have this event again next year, I’m sure it will be even better! :)

This was a great event that helped out a wonderful organization, the St. Vincent de Paul. The Kitchen of Champions at St. Vincent de Paul had to be the most prepared out of all the vendors at the event. When all the other vendors ran out of food after2 hours, they were still going strong, serving their 4 dishes until they ran out. They served a corn frittata, salmon corstini, jambalaya, and bacon bread pudding with rum sauce. All were excellent.
What I learned from past events held true for this event.
1. Get there early, as you beat the lines and food will run out if you arrive late.
2. Any vendor that serves cupcakes will run out within an hour. So get it when you see it.
3. Any vendor that is in front of the entrance way will always have a long line. Avoid if possible, unless you get there early.
4. Any vendor that serves something fried will take a long time, so expect to wait in a line.
5. At the end, there will always be a surplus of liqour, wine and beer.
New rule that I learned from this event:
1. The Grand Tavern served their home made duck liver pâté, that people didn’t seem to take a liking too. Good for me and all pâté lovers, as there was no line when vendors ran out of food and people were lining up for the last leg of food at other vendors. I must have had 6 servings of it, it was that GOOD!!!
Other favorites that I liked were:
Hibiscus– for their smoked fish dish.
Zut — for the lamb meat ball
Dasche Cellars — Zinfandel
Ale Industries — Rye’d Piper
Fentons — Ice cream is always good.
Great show for the promoters of this event and to a second event. Cheers!!!

This event was wonderful! Not only was it for a great cause, the variety of food, beverages, and entertainment was great! Some highlights of food were:
* Chicken and Waffles
* A cote’s mango scallop shrimp ceviche
* Fenton’s
* Chop Bar’s whole roasted pig
Hope to see this event next year! And hope to see more supporters (even though it was packed and busy).

What a great Cause. I rolled to the EAST BAY FOOD FIGHT In my Week End Whip. I stashed my Baby in a Secret Parking Area in the Square.
The EAST BAY FOOD FIGHT WAS AN INAUGURAL EVENT TO BENEFIT THE ST. VINCENT DE PAUL OF ALAMEDA COUNTY KITCHEN OF CHAMPIONS CULINARY TRAINING PROGRAM.
i got to sample food and drink from
A Cote
Aubin Cellars
Bay Wolf
Bellanico
Bocanova
Carica Wines
Café Aquaruis
Chop Bar
Cocina Poblana
Fentons Creamery
Flora
Hibiscus
Five Bistro
Home Of Chicken and Waffles
JC Cellars
Linden Street Brewery
Lois The Pie Queen
I also got to hang with my Gal Pals Tisha and Jessica.
What great time.