40th Anniversary of Special Olympics Oregon Celebrated at the BITE

40th Anniversary of Special Olympics Oregon Celebrated at the BITE

Portland, August 11th.  The Bite of Oregon is a celebration of Oregon, its food, its people and quality of life. With hundreds of restaurant and dozens of breweries and wineries  represented, the Special Olympics Oregon benefit attracts food fans by the thousands.

Sizzling seafood paella was a hit.

Sizzling seafood paella was a hit.

"The Usual Suspects" Entertaine the crowd. It's the band of Police Chief, Mike Reed.

“The Usual Suspects” entertain the crowd. It’s the band of Police Chief, Mike Reed.

Viewed as a foodie’s dream come true, the Gerry Frank’s Oregon Chef’s table is an opportunity to experience small gourmet bites from some of the top chefs from around the state.

Eddy Gonzales, Chef Shyam Dausoa from Chez Dodo and Sala Kannan were serving Dholl Puri and Portobello Bury - a Mushroom Curry with Lentil Fritters served Chutney & Pickled Vegetables.

Eddy Gonzales, Chef Shyam Dausoa from Chez Dodo and Sala Kannan were serving Dholl Puri and Portobello Bury – a Mushroom Curry with Lentil Fritters served Chutney & Pickled Vegetables.

Chef Chris Carriker from the Gilt Club served up Grilled Pork Belly Skewer with Kohlrabi Slaw, Fried Peanuts and Cilantro and Lamb Meatballs with Fresh Chickpea Relish, Goat Cheese & Herbs.

Chef Chris Carriker from the Gilt Club served up Grilled Pork Belly Skewer with Kohlrabi Slaw, Fried Peanuts and Cilantro and Lamb Meatballs with Fresh Chickpea Relish, Goat Cheese & Herbs.

Lilie Boni, Henry Car and Elizabeth Kennedy from Brix Tavern served Smoked Grilled Local Salmon Brochettes with Heirloom Tomatoes & Rocket Pesto.

Lilie Boni, Henry Car and Elizabeth Kennedy from Brix Tavern served
Smoked Grilled Local Salmon Brochettes with Heirloom Tomatoes & Rocket Pesto.

B. O'Shea, Chef Aaron Gerra, Pamela McConnell, Chef Aaron Guerra CEC, DM - ACF Portland Culinary Team Member with the Oregon Blueberry Commission  served Fresh Oregon Blueberries Foster w/ Hand Dipped Ice Cream, Balsamic Reduction.

B. O’Shea, Chef Aaron Gerra, Pamela McConnell, Chef Aaron Guerra CEC, DM – ACF Portland Culinary Team Member with the Oregon Blueberry Commission
served Fresh Oregon Blueberries Foster w/ Hand Dipped Ice Cream, Balsamic Reduction.

Mike Adams from Adams Rib Smokehouse tends the BBQ.

Mike Adams from Adam’s Rib Smokehouse tends the BBQ.

On Friday, August 12th and Saturday, August 13th, the popular Iron Chef Oregon competitions presented by NW Natural return.  Watch talented Oregon Chefs battle it out to see whose cuisine will reign supreme!

At the popular Iron Chef Oregon competitions, presented by NW Natural,  talented Oregon Chefs battled it out to see whose cuisine reigned supreme.

Lucy Willis from Lucy's Tropical Juice

Lucy Willis from Lucy’s Tropical Juice sold fruit smoothies.

Volunteers Isabel Klein and PJ Hummult were two of hundreds pitched in at the benefit for Oregon Special Olympics.

Volunteers Isabel Klein and PJ Hummelt were two of hundreds who pitched in at the benefit for Oregon Special Olympics.

Oregon Brewers were out in force.

Oregon Brewers were out in force.

Ice Cream served up by volunteers was popular with the kids.

Ice cream served up by volunteers, including members of the National Charity League Genevieve and Mariel Klein, was a hit with the kids.

 

Soul Vaccination, the popular fund and soul band, performed for music lovers.

Soul Vaccination, the popular fund and soul band, performed for music lovers.

About Special Olympics Oregon

Here in Oregon, while Special Olympics Oregon serves more than 10,000 participants throughout the state, nearly 70,000 people with intellectual disabilities could benefit from participating in Special Olympics. Still growing, Special Olympics Oregon is efficiently expanding programs to get closer and closer to serving every individual with intellectual disabilities that qualifies to participate in Special Olympics.

Special Olympics Oregon offers training and competition opportunities in 14 different Olympic-style sports. There are three sports seasons throughout the year, with statewide competitions and training in winter, summer and fall.

The nonprofit is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a bang!