Lamb is a succulent and hearty meat. It delivers a powerful flavor, and its versatility is known throughout the world.
Its image will get another boost this weekend when it is celebrated and relished at the 14th annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival.
The festival's first offerings and exposure to lamb cuisine will take place at the Ketchum Grill with chef Scott Mason. Mason will host "Cooking With Lamb" on Friday, Oct. 8, from 1-2:30 p.m. Space is limited and registration and fees will be handled by College of Southern Idaho. For details, call 788-2033.
The festival has embraced culture and cuisine through the Art and Lamb Foodie Fest, with free lamb tastings in Ketchum on Friday from 5-7:30 p.m. Enjoy lamb at the Roosevelt Grille with artist Michael Edminster, at Cristina's Restaurant & Bakery with artist Will Caldwell, at Cornerstone Bar & Grill with artist Deanna Schrell, at the Sawtooth Club with artist Jineen Griffith, at Rasberry's café with artist Debbie Edgers Sturges, at the nexStage Theatre with artist Mary Roberson and at the Ketchum-Sun Valley Heritage and Ski Museum with artist Jennifer Bellinger.
A Lamb Feast at Roberta McKercher Park in Hailey on Saturday will feature Wood River Valley chefs and restaurants serving up lamb dishes as part of the festival's Folklife Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food sales at the Lamb Feast are a fundraiser for the festival—entrees will average $7.
Participating food vendors and restaurants will include the Guerrys from Buhl, who will serve authentic Basque food featuring sausages, baked lamb sandwiches, Basque-style beans and entrees for kids. In addition, CK's Real Food in Hailey will present lamb ribs with apple buttermilk and blue cheese coleslaw and Four Peaks Flatbread in Hailey will prepare mini lamb sliders on fresh homemade bread. Ken Sangha, sponsored by Chateau Drug, will serve tandoori lamb wraps. Fresshies in Hailey will present grilled Vietnamese lamb meatballs with pickled radish and cucumber salad and Full Moon Catering in Hailey will serve lamb samosas.
In addition, Rancho Sisquoc Winery from Santa Maria, Calif., will have wine available at the Folklife Fair lamb feast, which will also including a cheese tasting with Blue Sage Farms.
A Lava Lake Lamb dinner at Apple's Bar and Grill in Ketchum is an additional fundraiser for the festival, scheduled Saturday from 5-9 p.m. The dinner will feature Idaho rack of lamb, marinated lamb kabobs and lamb burgers with local fresh veggies cooked especially for the occasion by chef Hank Minor.
The weekend will also include a Lamb Dine-Around with lamb specials at valley restaurants including Apple's Bar & Grill, Cosi Restaurant, the Cellar Pub, CK's Real Food, Despo's, Fresshies, Globus, Golden Elk, il Naso, KB's in Hailey and Ketchum, Ketchum Grill, the Knob Hill Inn, Papa Hemi's Hideaway, Perry's, the Pioneer Saloon, Sun Valley Resort's Ram Restaurant and Trail Creek Cabin, Riccabona's, Roosevelt Grille, Sawtooth Club, Smoky Mountain Pizzeria Grill, Sushi on Second, Rickshaw, Vintage, The Brickhouse, Ciro Restaurant and Zaney's River Street Coffee House.
The weekend of tasting lamb will conclude on Sunday with the Trailing of the Sheep Parade Authentic Lamb Barbecue fundraising event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Irving's Hill at the corner of Fourth and Main streets in Ketchum.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
The 15th annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival will offer several opportunities to try lamb delicacies throughout the weekend. Courtesy photo
