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Stump's the Expert Good deeds can be savored at the upcoming Taste of the Nation By Christina Waters ARGUABLY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL dining and drinking establishments west of the Mississippi, A.P. Stump's is also an enlightened leader in local community outreach. The gorgeous spread located at 163 W. Santa Clara St. in San Jose will be the South Bay site for Taste of the Nation, a national benefit for Share Our Strength to be held on Sunday, July 16. The event is one of some 100 similar soirees in more than 80 cities across the U.S. and Canada, featuring 6,000 chefs cooking their brains out for more than 65,000 guests. Not only does this mean that participants will enjoy the food event of the season, but they help raise money and awareness to fight hunger and poverty. Co-organized by Diane Rose of Mio Vicino restaurants and Jim Stump and Vito Serpa of A.P. Stump's, Taste of the Nation 2000 (think of it as "A Byte of Silicon Valley") brings together the handiwork of more than 50 South Bay chefs and winemakers. In addition to the food, amenities include the sounds of Dangerous Martini (a name to be reckoned with), a martini bar sponsored by Tanqueray and live auction hosted by CBS's "The Fresh Grocer," Tony Tantillo. Priced at $75 a head (call Yvonne at 408.292.9928; online at www.strength.com), this is the largest nationwide culinary benefit in which 100 percent of the proceeds go to fight hunger and poverty. So far, participating groups include Mio Vicino and Stump's, Eulipia, 71 St. Peter, Birk's, John Bentley's, Los Gatos Brewing Company, Le Papillon, Viaggio, The Plumed Horse, The White Dove, Lion and Compass, Paolo's, The Palace, The Left Bank, C.B. Hannegan's, Café Primavera and Tapestry. Wineries include Clos LaChance, J. Lohr, Mirassou, Cinnabar, Mount Eden, Ivan Tamas, Steven Kent, Cronin and David Bruce. Since the first event in 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $37 million, which Share Our Strength has distributed to more than 450 groups working to fight and prevent hunger and poverty in the U.S., Canada and abroad. Make plans to dress smart and head for A.P. Stump's on July 16 from 2 to 6:30pm. Appetizing Jazz: The mighty New American cuisine served up nightly by chef Stump and company will take on new accompaniment on Thursday and Saturday nights this summer as A.P. Stump's serves up a no-cover-charge Jazz Series. The Smith Dobson Trio will perform in the lounge on Friday June 30, with the Gail Dobson Quartet on board on June 16. Vocalist Sylvia de la Sancha brings cool cabaret/jazz to Stump's on June 15, 22, 23 and 29. The new Jazz Series at A.P. Stump's joins contemporary vocal and instrumental trios and quartets with contemporary cuisine that is music for the senses in its own delicious way. Smith Dobson, one of the Bay Area's top jazz pianists, has recorded widely, and vocals by Gail Dobson have been known to soothe even the most savage arugula salad. The series, planned to run through October on Thursday and Friday evenings from 7 to 11pm, means that dinners will taste even sexier--and reservations (408.292.9928) should be made in advance. Berry Soon The Eastfield Ming Quong Strawberry Festival brings together tons of strawberries with acres of food, entertainment, and arts and crafts this weekend, June 10-11, starting at 8am at West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. It's free--call 408.364.4081 for details. Email me! Readers, restaurateurs, chefs: Please send any news items, tips, menu changes, openings, special events and juicy gossip to [email protected]. [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]