Dancers at the St. Elias Lebanese Festival. Courtesy photo.

I receive SO many emails, Facebook messages and telephone calls about food-related events that I sometimes find myself drowning in them. But I want to pass each and every one on to my readers, and that is why I often try to do round-ups of upcoming events.

In this entry, below the jump (click “Read more” to get there), you will find details about:

* A special dinner at Border Springs lamb farm in Patrick County to benefit Share Our Strength, a non-profit that works to end childhood hunger.
* A big food and music fest in downtown Roanoke by the folks at Lucky restaurant called Luckyfest.
* The start of a new season of Salem After Five at the Salem Farmers Market.
* The upcoming 14th Annual St. Elias Lebanese Festival.
* NEW ADDITION: Local Roots Restaurant’s Earth Day dinner.

Read on for the details and do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

Share Our Strength Dinner — Border Springs Farm, Patrick Springs, Va.
Info from:: Craig Rogers, owner, Border Springs Farm
Note: Share our Strength is a non-profit group that fights childhood hunger

I am pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Share Our Strength fundraiser dinner at our farm on Friday, April 27, 2012.  We have a stellar line-up of chefs who will be participating.  Jennifer Carroll and Edward Lee from Top Chef will be accompanied by the Corporate Chef and Corporate Pastry Chef of the Mina Group, David Varley and Lincoln Carson from San Francisco.  Several local chefs from Roanoke (Aaron Deal – River and Rail, and Billie Raper – Hotel Roanoke), Greensboro (Jay Pierce – Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen) and Meadows of Dan (Andrea Griffith – Primland) will be guest chefs as well.
We will begin the evening with a sheep dog demonstration followed by a cocktail hour and then we shall take a small hike to a beautiful sheep pasture and enjoy a fine meal set at a long table in the pasture. It promises to be a special evening.  The evening will close with a bon-fire back at the Lambstock Pavilion.
You may purchase tickets directly from Share Our Strength at www.strength.org/bordersprings

Luckyfest
April 14, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Kirk Avenue, Roanoke
Info source: Jeff Farmer, Chef, Lucky restaurant

This is a food festival to showcase some of the best food and beverage products being made right here in Virginia. This year’s festival, sponsered by Border Springs Farm, Rappahannock Oyster Co., and Lucky Restaurant, will also be sharing the spotlight with Leaping Waters Farm, Williamsburg AleWerks, cocktails made with Catoctin Creek Rye and Gin, Foggy Ridge Cider, Margeaux and Company Imports (featuring wines from Pollak Vineyards and Kings Family Vineyards), and Black Snake Meadery. There will be lots of pork, lamb, oysters, and mountain oysters! (yes you read mountain oysters correctly.) This is part of a series of stops on the Lambs and Clams tour all over the South. Most recently, they were in Charleston, S.C.
Also, Justin Jones (9:30 Records), will be playing at Kirk Avenue Music Hall that evening, 8:00pm.
Tickets are $20 and include samples from several of the featured companies, a ticket to the Justin Jones show at Kirk Avenue Music Hall, and a day of great food and drink, enjoying friends, and good banter. (The show at Kirk Avenue Music Hall is only open to those who attend Luckyfest.)
To purchase tickets in advance, please call 540.982.1249, or just stop by the restaurant. Cheers!

Salem After Five, Salem Farmers Market
Info source: Mike Stevens, Communications Director for the City of Salem

The popular “Salem After Five” concert series begins a brand new season on April 27 with “Domino” performing on the Salem Farmers Market stage. The event will get underway at 5:30 p.m. and all proceeds will benefit the Adult Care Center of Roanoke Valley.
The Salem Farmers Market is located in the heart of downtown Salem on the corner of Main and Broad streets.
“Salem After Five” is sponsored by the City of Salem Parks and Recreation department, Q99-FM, Aaron’s and Pepsi.
Admission: Adults $5, children 12 and under are free. There will be a children’s play area set up in the Market, as well as food vendors featuring Leb’s Grill, Salem Pizza & Subs, Salem Ice Cream Parlor, and Ol’ Mule Hot Dog Co.
No coolers, outside food or drinks, rollerblades, skateboards or pets are allowed on the premises.
For additional information call Salem Parks and Recreation at 540-375-3057.

14th Annual St. Elias Lebanese Festival
Info source: Carol Abbott, publicity committee for the festival

The 14th annual Lebanese Festival at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church will be held June 1-3 at the church, 4730 Cove Rd., NW, in Roanoke.
The festival features delicious Lebanese food, including various vegetarian choices and freshly grilled lamb & beef kabobs, toe-tapping Lebanese music by a professional musician, and traditional Lebanese dances in full costume.
As it has since 2007, WDBJ7 will again sponsor the festival, which will be held rain or shine.  Hours are Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Admission and parking is free; there is a moderate charge for food and children’s activities.
For more information, call St. Elias Church at 562-0012 or visit the website: www.steliaschurch.org/

Local Roots Earth Day Dinner
Info source: Owner Diane Elliott

Join those celebrating the abundance of mother Earth With a special Earth Day vegetarian menu:
Spring salad
LR foraged and grown lettuces, strawberry, curtains chevre
Local tofu
Soy-sorghum, peanut crust, local leeks, heirloom rice
Rhubarb tart
(non-vegetarian options available on regular menu)
$35 with a portion of proceeds donated to Chefs Collaborative, a national non-profit network of chefs focusing on sustainable food, education and responsible buying decisions.
1314 Grandin Rd., Roanoke, VA 24015   540-206-2610
localrootsrestaurant.com
All food served is Sustainable, Organic, Local , Ethical – and Delicious!