Win tickets to the Al Pollard Memorial Gala
This Friday will be the date of the 7th Annual Al Pollard Memorial Gala, an event sponsored by the foundation that celebrates the legacy of one of Roanoke’s favorite restaurateurs. I have two gala tickets to give away to one lucky reader who wants to experience an evening of great food, music and dancing.
The Al Pollard Memorial Foundation raises money to endow scholarships for students at the Culinary Institute at Virginia Western Community College. That would have been an important cause for Pollard, who helped create Corned Beef & Co., Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse and 419 West. Pollard passed away suddenly in 2006, and since then the foundation has provided financial assistance to dozens of students.
The gala takes place this year at the Roanoke Country Club beginning at 6 p.m. The big event of the evening will be the Kroger-sponsored Chef Challenge, which will pair local chefs with culinary students to prepare dishes for the crowd to sample. There will be a People’s Choice Award. The event also includes music, dancing, a cash bar and a silent auction.
To purchase tickets to this event, click here. If you are interested in winning a pair of tickets to the event, please leave a comment on this blog entry and tell me your favorite menu item at Corned Beef & Company, Frankie Rowland’s or 419 West. Please do not simply state the name of the menu item. Tell me why you like it.
You have until NOON on Thursday to enter this contest, and I’ll announce the random winner by 5 p.m. on Thursday. Good luck to everyone. I will be at the gala myself so I look forward to meeting the winner!



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Frankie’s Filet – I always like the leaner cuts of steak.
Al was the leader in food service in Roanoke. Unfortunately, no one has yet stepped up to replace him RIP, Al.
White Pizza at CB.
Tim’s Famous Chicken
Just a reminder, you need to tell me the name of the dish, the name of the restaurant and what you like about the dish!
My favorite dish is from Frankie Rowland’s it is the filet. It always very flavorful and juicy. Plus, my boyfriend and I go to Frankie’s for very special occasions it is a great place to celebrate.
Tim’s Famous Chicken @ Corned Beef. It has that perfect blend chicken & ham (thinking cordon bleu) with that unforgettable sauce they call alahope.
I enjoy the Star City Cobb Salad at Corned Beef & Co because it’s the most famous salad in the valley! I like the eggs!
My favorite meal at 419 west starts with the delicious sweet corn and crab bisque. The soup has a wonderful pairing of flavors and a smooth texture. For the next course, I have a ribeye prepared very rare with aspargus. Unlike many restaurants in Roanoke, 419 truly understands how to prepare a steak to where the center is cold. I wish I could say that I end this meal with a dessert, but I don’t think I have ever had room for one after the main course and soup.