Cortona Cafe | Central District | Seattle, WA

Cortona Cafe Unveils Black Eyed Pea Hummus

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:40:00 -0700

As many people hopefully know, Cortona Cafe has recently added black-eyed pea hummus to the menu which appears to be a hit with the majority of the regular customers. The alluring dish is made by culinary artist Kristi Brown-Wokoma and has quickly become one of the more popular items on the menu. It's a shift from the more traditional hummus made of chickpeas and more healthy (CK). Given the lack of healthy food options in the neighborhood, we're glad to have a protein rich new option for customers.

It's important to note that Kristi Brown-Wokoma is a long time Central District resident which falls in line with Cortona's mission to buy and sell products that come from the neighborhood. If you haven't tried our black-eyed pea hummus yet, check out a quick Q&A with Kristi as she talks about why she created the dish and hopefully it will encourage you to come on in and try it.

When did you first start thinking of making black-eyed pea hummus? What led you to want to tinker with that recipe?

Several years ago when I worked the lunch line at Kingfish Cafe, I was trying to impress my chef, Tracey McRae, and I thought that the black eye peas would be a perfect mix between traditional soul food cooking and the fresh Northwest cuisine.

Are there any advantages of using black-eyed peas over garbanzo beans?

Black eyed peas have a richness which isn't present in the garbanzo beans. Both are extremely rich in protein, but the black eyes peas seems to have a more complicated flavor that holds up perfectly to the other ingredients.

What type of reactions have you gotten from people who have tried it? Even people who might be skeptical at first?

I have hummus stalkers, people call me from all over the country, hitting me up on my social networks and seeking me out at events just to get me to make them hummus! I have gotten very familiar with the ways of my skeptics, they scrounge their nose up, say how much they hate black eye peas, but I am committed to making people believers! So I can get a little persuasive to get them to at least try it.

How long have you been working professionally as a culinary artist?

I have worked in the culinary industry for 20 years, mostly in catering, but have had a very varied experiences within this industry and wouldn't trade it for the world.

As a resident of the C.D. is it nice knowing that a local cafe is supporting one of your creations?

Oh my goodness yes! It has been a pleasure to work alongside Jason and Foxy to make my dream of retailing hummus a reality. I appreciate their hard work, and look forward to seeking out more ways to be a part of the community!

S.T.A.R.T.S. Youth Summer Employment Program Gets Under Way

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 14:33:00 -0700

S.T.A.R.T.S. Youth hitting the streets with fresh produce every Wednesday from 12pm to 3pm this summer.

The S.T.A.R.T.S. Project is a 10 week program sponsored by the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative and led by Central District non-profits and organizations.

As teenagers across the city search for working opportunities during the summer slow down, nine lucky youth from Seattle are experiencing the "green jobs" opportunity of their lifetime.

Over the spring, Cortona Cafe owner Jason Davison had a vision for a youth employment program based in the Central District that would allow for young people that are disenfranchised to learn about gardening, healthy foods, and how they can become a part of the green movement. The summer program Jason had in mind is called S.T.A.R.T.S. (Students Taking Agriculture 'Round The Streets) and as of two weeks ago, it officially came into fruition.

Along with a variety of key neighborhood youth workers, there are currently nine students that are a part of the program and they're doing everything from composting and working on farms to discovering healthy food options in the neighborhood and working on a potential dish to be displayed at Cortona Cafe. There are guests chefs involved, lot's of opportunities for learning, and best of all, the youth get paid to complete the program. S.T.A.R.T.S. has managed to partner with organizations like Ground Up Yesler, Community Kitchens NW, Rotary Boys and Girls Club, Metropolitan Sickle Cell Task Force, Green Plate Special, Alley Cat Acres plus the Clean Greens and Red Barn farms to keep the teenagers' fingers in the soil and they're making nutritious meals each week out of the kitchen at Immaculate Conception. There will be more updates coming on the program as the summer continues.

Stained Glass by Cindy Kempf Featured at Cortona This Month

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:54:00 -0700

If you haven't stopped by Cortona this month, please do! Not only for a great cup of coffee or a decadent tiramisu waffle, but to check out our wonderful art collection this June by our neighbor and gifted artist, Cindy Kempf.

Though Cindy owes muich to her parents who influenced her in industrial design and the arts--her greatest inspiration for her artistry comes from the complexity and beauty of nature. Much of the work displayed displayed this month utilizes everyday urban items, (bottle tops, glass bottles), to reflect the natural beauty of the world one encounters only after quiet reflection and observation. The art displayed is as much a reflection of natural beauty as it is the artist's willingness to slow down and let her intuition guide her work.

There are a number of different medium on display this month, but stained glass features prominently throughout. A form of glass art that is usually found in cathedrals, Cindy endeavors to make stained glass relevant to everyday people who would enjoy its beauty outside of church walls: "I want people to be inspired by the awe and vibration of color in their own home."

Cortona is honored to showcase Cindy's collection--make sure to drop by and enjoy!

Kenyan Art Show Tonight at Cortona 6-9pm via PAUSE: A Space for New Visions

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:59:00 -0700

Tonight we are hosting an event in the mezzanine from 6-9 pm bringing awareness to a particular artist village in Ngecha, Kenya. The Seattle-based non-profit PAUSE: A Space for New Visions, does work with a collective of artists in Ngecha, Kenya and they'll be displaying particular pieces created by Kenyans throughout the cafe. Meredith Bauer, the co-founder and director of PAUSE, says of the event: “We hope to celebrate our partnership with the Kenyan artists and encourage the local community here to connect with the artists and each other through viewing, appreciating, and buying their art."

Below is a short video about the artist collective in Ngecha. Come out to the cafe today to view some of the art in person and learn how you can get involved. Wine and cheese will be provided.

Langston Hughes African American Film Festival Gets Started Today

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 09:44:00 -0700

The 8th annual Langston Hughes African American Film Festival gets under way here in Seattle's Central District. It's one of the only African American film festivals of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and this year, they're scheduled to show roughly 40 high quality independent films. Among this year's crop of feature-length films, shorts, and documentaries from all across the world, Karen Toering who organizes the LHAAFF says they're are 22 Seattle premiers, seven world premiers, and a record number of filmmakers that will be attendance throughout the nine day event which closes on May 8th.

Here's a word from the LHAAFF website about everything:

This festival screens provocative films from independent Black filmmakers and films about the African American experience. The festival features panel discussions, readings, matinee screenings for middle/high school youth and audience ‘talk-backs’ with filmmakers, industry professionals and community leaders.

The opening and closing nights of the festival are set to take place inside of the Quincy Jones Theater at Garfield High School (400 23rd Avenue, Seattle) from the and the rest of the films will be shown at Central Cinema (1411 21st Avenue, Seattle). That's something which is important to note for Cortona customers as the entire film festival is in walking distance of the cafe.

On opening night, the big highlight is the Seattle premier of KINYARAWANDA with guest filmmaker Alrick Brown in attendance. Here is a trailer of the powerful film about the Rawandan genocide:

Other highlights include the popular film I Will Follow returning to Seattle for the second time and local movie 23rd and Union by Seattle filmmaker Rafael Flores being shown as well. Check out the full festival line-up and support it if you can.

New Art from Franklin High School Students

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:28:00 -0800

For the month of March at Cortona Cafe we are showing a selection of art works from art students at Franklin High School! Jed Dunkerly teaches art at FHS and put together the show:

The works hanging in the Cafe for the month of March are from current and former art students of mine at Franklin High School. Several of the projects on display came out assignments to create "movement" for the eye of the viewer, others were portfolio pieces with more individual prompts, still others were from students who had me a while ago and keep coming back into my room at lunch or after school to make art because they just can't stop. And it is that spirit, the compulsiveness to create, the spark - that fills me simultaneously with the wonder of how I can't possibly teach this to my students (they bring it on their own), and show glad I am that I get to teach them...give them some directions, some encouragement, materials, a studio to work in, and this- a chance to show what they can do to the world...at least the part of the world that passes through this door during these couple weeks.
Enjoy. These are the students/artists that remind me how spectacular people can be, in those times when I need that reminder the most.
Thanks to Tracy English for making the connection.
Jed Dunkerly

Cortona will be hosting an opening for this art tomorrow night, Saturday March 12, from 5-7pm. Please come out to see the art and support the youth in our community!

February Art at Cortona by Benjamin Kerr!

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:56:00 -0800

This month we are featuring a series of paintings by artist Benjamin Kerr! Here is his artist statement:

There is a lot of pressure when you are hailed as the greatest young American artist to come along in the last hundred years. Fortunately, Mr. Kerr did not have to labor under that burden. Art in America did not describe Mr. Kerr as the “savior of American art in the coming millennium” but, if it did, you would be hearing all about it in the promotional materials for this event.
Mr. Kerr initially showed his paintings to close friends and family members who unanimously found the paintings lacking in almost every regard. A lot of people would be discouraged by the poor feedback, not to mention the lack of formal training and talent, but not Mr. Kerr. Mr. Kerr’s reaction was unique; he decided to show his work to a wider audience in a vain attempt to find someone who might actually like it.
The ground braking tactic of taking canvas, stretching it over a wood frame and then applying paint is so simple, but so revolutionary, that it leads many to wonder why it has never been done before.

Come check out the new art and let us know what you think! An opening for his art is scheduled for this Saturday February 12th from 6-8pm at Cortona, so plan to stop by, meet the artist, enjoy the art, and converse with other art-loving neighbors! Mr. Kerr can be reached at benjamindavidkerr@hotmail.com.

Neighborhood Business Card Highlight: Art Donnelly from Seachar.org

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:15:00 -0800

This week we are highlighting Art Donnelly from Seachar, a "grass-roots, non-profit organization that promotes the widespread use of biomass waste to create biochar and generate clean energy for the purpose of mitigating global warming, rebuilding healthy soils, improving household air quality, and building green economies in the U.S. and developing countries."

Seachar is short for Seattle Biochar Working Group, and the group accomplishes its mission through "research, education, and the development and distribution of appropriate technologies." Check out this newspost about the work that Donnelly is doing in Central America with his clean-burning stove technology, and explore the website for opportunities to learn, donate, participate, and spread the word!

Neighborhood Business Card Highlights: Earl's Cuts & Styles and Christie Ray, Notary

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 16:32:00 -0800

This week we are highlighting a couple business cards for practical services!

Earl's Cuts & Styles is located just two blocks up from Cortona, and offer high quality haircuts for a reasonable price. Check it out and support a local Central District business when you're due for your next haircut!

If you're needing someone local to notarize anything for you, Christie Ray is your local Seattle notary! Everyone needs this service now and again, and Ray is licensed and insured. You can contact her at christieray007@gmail.com.

Homework tutorial is up for the first web development class for entrepreneurs next Monday, 7pm

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:14:00 -0800

Following up on our announcement of a new web development class for entrepreneurs & open dev night that will start next Monday, Jan 17th 7pm at Cortona - the first tutorial for students to complete before they come can be found here:

This is the first of 23 tutorials that will be rolled out over 2011 to help introduce web development to entrepreneurs. These tutorials will be published about a week before the corresponding free in-person class that will be held at Cortona Cafe in Seattle, WA on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month starting at 7pm. If you're in the area, come on by any time during the year. If not, feel free to follow along online.

While there are a ton of tutorials out there on every topic we'll be introducing this year, our angle will be to stick with the "give me the general concepts" and "let's just get this rolling" essentials and allow you figure out the details on your own (we'll point you to resources & other tutorials out there). We'll be tailoring the class to high-school students who would call themselves reasonably "good with computers" but may have little to no programming experience. However, even if you are 80 years old with decades of programming experience, we're hoping these tutorials will still be helpful to spark an entrepreneurial spirit and/or bring you up to speed on HTML5, CSS3, Rails3, etc....

Click here to get started »

Students are encouraged to work on the tutorial before coming to the class. However, if you get stuck somewhere in the tutorial or aren't able to work on it - feel free to show up and a web developer from the community will be there to help you out.