Fall: A time for changing leaves, football tailgates and … chopsticks. Ready your wasabi taste buds and practice your soy sauce dipping skills for the second annual Des Moines Sushibomb.
Sunday’s event, organized by advertising firm Lessing-Flynn, features sushi from six restaurants — Hoshi, Sakari, Appare Japanese Steakhouse, Taki, Samurai and Happi Sushi. All proceeds benefit the Salisbury House & Gardens, the site of the event.
“The Sushibomb’s going to be the same basic concept as last year’s, but with a whole batch of improvements,” Emily Beckmann, Lessing-Flynn project manager, said. For $40 a pop, sushi fans get 12 pieces of sushi and either two beers — including the Japanese classic, Kirin — or a glass of white wine from Jasper Winery. Melt Dessert Bar and Bakery will also serve a Japanese-inspired dessert. (Wasabi brownies anyone?)
La Tran, the owner of Hoshi, will be sharing his wisdom in a 35-person breakout session (for an extra $10) that will act as an introduction to sushi. With the “Godfather of Sushi” on hand and a partnership with the Iowa Asian Alliance, there’s a focus on the culture surrounding sushi at the event. Volunteers in traditional kimonos will direct attendees in a traditional tea ceremony and a Japanese language and culture class.
There will also be a tour of the Salisbury House’s Asian artifact collection. Funds from the event will be donated to the Salisbury House to update the historic kitchen, built in the late 1920’s.
“We wanted this year’s event to give back to the community,” Beckmann said. “We figured it was a food-centered event and donating to the historical kitchen made sense.
DSM: Sushibomb II
When: 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Salisbury House & Gardens, 4025 Tonawanda Drive
What you’ll get: Sushi from Hoshi, Taki, Sakari, Appare, Samurai and Happi Sushi.
Tickets: Some left (as of press time). $40 through tikly.co, which includes T-shirt, 12 pieces of sushi and either two beers or a glass of wine. Go to dsmsushibomb.com.
