On Wednesday, Feb. 10, the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber hosted its annual 'Elected Officials Dinner' at the Inn By The Sea in Cape Elizabeth.  In a beautiful setting with delicious food, members of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth school boards and town/city councils, superintendents, city managers, city officials, and legislators came together with Chamber members to discuss issues of state and local concern to the communities.  State Representatives Cynthia Dill and Jane Eberle and State Senator Larry Bliss briefed the group on current status of the state budget, pertinent legislation, and policy initiatives.  Questions and discussion followed and a pledge to continue to stay in close communication as the legislative session progresses was made.  Many thanks to the Chamber for generously supporting this important event!

Evergreen Credit Union is very pleased to have sponsored the recent South Portland / Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber Business After 5 held at our 799 Broadway branch in South Portland.  We would like to thank over 60 members and prospective business people who attended.  There was plenty of networking for all!  Thank you Nancy and Chuck of CVC Catering for your terrific food.  We welcome the opportunity to serve your business and retail banking needs. 

Let's all try to get the word out on this scholarship:
The Board of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber has created a scholarship for anyone who is sponsored by a SP/CE Community Chamber member. The $2000 scholarship that will be awarded in $500 payments per year for up to four years.

As a SP/CE Community Chamber member you may sponsor any student going on to a post secondary education.  They may be the child of an associate, a neighbor or your own child.  They may be planning to attend a two year college, or a four year program in any field.  The Scholarship will be awarded at the sole discretion of the Scholarship Committee.  The student will be required to supply a report of their grades and a statement of their intention to continue in order to receive the subsequent year's disbursement.

The Scholarship will be awarded on May 14, 2010 and will be presented at our annual meeting in June. If you would like to sponsor a student for the scholarship, please have them fill out the application and forward it along with your sponsorship form to Ann Lebel at the Regional Chamber.  The deadline for applications is April 30, 2010.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Dining with a View!

Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich celebrates all things Maine in the ocean view Sea Glass restaurant at Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth. Panoramic ocean views with lobster boats bobbing on the horizon, this intimate restaurant offers Chef Kaldrovich’s modern take on a seasonal Maine menu, using only the freshest local ingredients.  Dine Al Fresco on the deck on warm days, or enjoy the intimate dining room inside with a selection of over 200 different labels on view in the wine cove. Enjoy a cocktail in the adjacent fireplace ocean view lounge.

Sea Glass’s talented chef was in New York for a multi media event! Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich was selected by the James Beard Foundation to cook at the Foundation House in New York on February 27^th. 

His menu, New England with a Twist featured delectable fresh Maine ingredients including his pan seared Maine sea scallops, lobster and seafood ceviche, Atlantic cod and lobster chowder, and Cold Spring Farm short ribs. This is a huge honor for the Chef and the Inn, and we are thrilled that Mitchell was recognized as a premier chef in this way. 

While in New York the Chef was also invited to demonstrate his signature pan seared sea scallops with parsnip puree at the kitchen at the Macy’s Culinary Council on February 24^th, and was a guest chef at the Mae Mae Café as part of the Great Performances program. The chef was also interviewed on Morning Living, Martha Stewart Radio/Sirius 112 on February 25^th.

For those who don’t make it to the James Beard house it is possible to enjoy a special dining experience with the chef closer to home during restaurant week, and Inn by the Sea has also  scheduled several wine dinners:

For Restaurant week, March 1 to 10, 2010, the chef has created a 3 course menu for that will be delectable and quite affordable at $30.10 pp.  Entree choices include Red Wine Braised Beef Cheeks with Pommes Puree, Gulf of Maine Lobster with Lobster Cream Sauce or Handmade Ricotta Gnocchi with San Marzano Tomato Sauce.

Upcoming wine dinners: Terredora Winery Wine Dinner - Thursday, March 11, 2010, Gritty's Beer Dinner - Thursday, March 25, 2010