A Taste of Tuscany for Charity
On Sunday, May 4th, I sat down with friends and family to take part in a delightful five-course meal and wine tasting at Ponte Vecchio, home to some of the area’s finest dining. This was no ordinary meal—each course had been meticulously crafted by restaurateur Tim Fleming and carefully paired with a different wine selection.
What made the evening more special was that the dinner doubled as a fundraiser for the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting a better understanding of world affairs among central Illinois residents. It seems that Fleming has hit upon a unique niche, where he can showcase his extensive wine knowledge and the rich culinary traditions of northern Italy while also giving back to the community, one nonprofit at a time. 
The concept is simple. Tickets to these wine pairing events are $75 per person, with $10 of each ticket going straight to the organization. It makes for a splendid night on the town and an easy way to raise money for a cause.
“The format is pretty much set,” explained Fleming. “It’s a five-course dinner. It starts with an appetizer, and then we do one or two pasta dishes, then one or two entrees, and we finish with dessert.” The evening is both relaxing and educational, as Fleming offers extensive commentary on the wine and food selections.
There is a method to Fleming’s work that wine aficionados will appreciate. “The last several events, we’ve actually concentrated the wines from one area of Italy and tried to give the audience a comparison of different wines from within the same region—and sometimes from the same grape,” said Fleming. “So they can actually taste the difference between a Barbera d’Alba and a Barbera d’Asti. It’s the same grape, but from two different areas within Piedmont [one of the 20 regions of Italy], and there is a marked difference between them. 
“Another one is the Barbaresco versus the Barolo,” he continued. “They’re both made with Nebbiolo grapes, and they’re from the same region, but they’re made in a slightly different style and the grapes are grown in a slightly different area.”
The simple, fresh ingredients of Tuscan-style cooking are a splendid match for the wines of northern Italy—something the Italians have known for centuries, and even a novice like me could understand.
Fleming has put together 12 to 15 of these dinners for various groups, from the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. If your organization is interested in such an event, call Tim Fleming at (309) 682-3994. Your taste buds—and your favorite charity—will thank you later! a&s
Estofado di Carne
by Tim Fleming
Pulled braised beef in a thick tomato sauce, served over fresh fettucine
- Chuck roast (or other marbled beef roast)
- Carrots, Celery, Onion
- Marinara sauce
- White wine
- Vegetable stock
- Salt, Pepper Garlic
- Braise beef after seasoning.
- Combine all ingredients with enough liquid to cover beef.
- Cook at 400 degrees 2½ to 3 hours until liquid is reduced to a thick sauce.
- Shred beef and put back in sauce for half hour.
- Serve over pasta.
While I agree that Ponte Vecchio has wonderful food, service, and ambiance, I am thoroughly disgusted with Mr. Fleming's nerve in claiming all the glory for himself. I will admit that Mr. Fleming does have a genuine flair with speech and does well with schmoozing the people who come in, however, he DOES NOT!!!!! do the cooking or the creating of the menu nor does he always set up the events. I think it is very sad that he would stab the individuals that hold the positions at Ponte Vecchio in the back by claiming all aspects of the restaurants success as his own. His entire staff all work hard to keep the restaurant successful, and don't deserve the slap in the face that they received with this article.
Thanks for your comment. You are absolutely correct that it takes the hard work of the entire staff to make Ponte Vecchio the successful dining experience that it is--I think Tim would be the first to agree with that.
However, in my discussions with him, he was not boastful, nor did he claim all aspects of the restaurant's success as his own--he simply answered my questions.
I appreciate your point that the rest of the staff deserves some recognition as well. So here's to the entire staff of Ponte Vecchio for the tremendous work that they do, day in and day out!
Cheers,
Jon
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