On Friday and Saturday, October 1-2, teams of talented chefs representing Oregon’s tribal casinos will gather at The Mill Casino • Hotel for the Rez Kitchen Tour, a two-day culinary competition showcasing the food, flavors and traditions of Oregon’s nine federally-recognized Tribes.

The Rez Kitchen Tour event features live cooking demonstrations, a juried Chef’s Competition, People’s Choice Awards, traditional native music, vendor booths, and free samples of delicious artfully prepared dishes inspired by thousands of years of tradition.  An admission fee of $5 or 2 canned goods is requested, with 100% of the proceeds going to the South Coast Food Share program.

The Rez Kitchen Tour kicks off at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 1 in The Mill Casino’s aptly named Salmon Room where, prior to the Chef’s Competition, guests can enjoy traditional Native American music as they visit various vendor booths.  At 5 p.m. the “cheftestants” will take center stage, when their entrées featuring two traditional food staples of the local area  – huckleberries and salmon will be judged on “Best Use of Traditional Ingredients” and “Best overall” by a panel of local and regional chefs and food experts.
On Saturday at 11a.m., the Rez Kitchen Tour really heats up as the “cheftestants” serve up their delectable dishes in competition for the coveted People’s Choice Award.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the participating chefs will be sharing their cooking techniques on the Main Stage in the Salmon Room, preparing dishes that showcase their talent. In addition to voting, guests attending Saturday’s events will be eligible to win a variety of door prizes including hotel packages, gift cards and other prizes, donated by the participating vendors.  A recipe and information pamphlet also will be available. The winners of Friday’s juried Chef’s Competition and the People’s Choice Awards, including Best Overall Dish and Best Booth Display, will be announced at 4 p.m.

In addition to the public events, on Friday from noon to 3:00 p.m. in the Salmon Room there will be a Round Table discussion for the Food and Beverage and Purchasing Departments of Oregon’s Tribal Casinos focusing on increasing the utilization of eco-friendly and sustainable products and foodstuffs produced by Tribal members and Tribal-owned businesses. This portion of the Rez Kitchen Tour event is open to trade only.

In Indian Country, the word “Rez” is often used to refer to an Indian Reservation.  The Rez Kitchen Tour was created by the Oregon Tribal Tourism Working Group and has among it’s many objectives to encourage the new and innovative use of traditional Tribal foods and flavors, as well as to build  connections with Tribal and Indian food suppliers throughout Oregon and the Northwest. Booth space is available for eco-friendly and sustainable product suppliers, Native American food vendors, Tribal restaurants, resorts, and food outlets, and advocacy and sponsor groups.  For more information on becoming a sponsor or reserving a booth contact, Events Manager, Vickie Strandridge at 541.756.8800, ext. 1565.

The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park is located on the waterfront in North Bend, Oregon, making it an ideal base location for exploring the North Bend/Coos Bay area including Oregon Dunes, Shore Acres State Park and activities such as fishing, crabbing, clamming, whale watching, boating, golfing and strolling along the boardwalk.  The full-service property features over 200 hotel rooms, over 725 slots, along with blackjack, craps and roulette in addition to five on-site restaurants; meeting, wedding and banquet facilities, and a 102-space waterfront RV Park

For more information about making The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park the centerpiece of your Oregon Coast getaway or for more information on all the latest attractions, events and entertainment call 800.953.4800 or visit www.themillcasino.com.

The Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park as part of her “Do It Northwest” reports. During the visit, she caught up with Chef Dan Catanio and Ray Doering

From Chloe’s Travel Log for Southern Oregon Coast and in Northern California

The Mill Casino was the first destination on our South Coast Road Trip. Sitting right on the water in Coos Bay Oregon (which is actually a bay), The Mill Casino is housed in a building that actually used to be…you guessed it…an old lumber mill! Now owned by the Coquille Indian Tribe, the Casino is also home to several restaurants a gaming floor and some fantastic accommodations.

A feature you should be on the lookout for, that we didn’t get to talk about in our PDX TV Reports segments is how educational information and artwork from the Coquille Tribe’s culture is woven into the Casino. Dioramas depict the Tribe’s storytelling culture, and artwork in the lobby and in the rooms of the hotel are by local artists.

When we first arrived at The Mill Casino, my photographer and I were whisked up to suite 750. The hotel boasts 180 degree views of the Bay, and you have to see the bathrooms…they’re larger than my bedroom at home! After checking out the accommodations, we hit the gaming floor. The Mill Casino has 700 slot machines (Wow) Vegas-style table games, and a separate poker room! The Casino also allows drinks on the gaming floor, which is unusual here in Oregon. While the games were bright and shiny, I have to admit, I couldn’t wait to check out the restaurants! Because we found The Mill Casino on DoItNW.com, I was anticipating some pretty fantastic food…and I was right!

At The Mill Casino, you’ll find four restaurants, and a martini bar; The Saw Mill Buffet, Timbers Café, Warehouse 101, and Plank House Restaurant. Whether you’re looking for a seafood buffet or an Omelet bar in The Saw Mill Buffet, deli-style eats and finger-licking home-made pastries in Timbers Café, some first-class bar eats and entertainment in Warehouse 101, a relaxing martini with a great view at Whitecaps, or a sit down, fine dining experience in Plank House Restaurant, The Mill Casino has you covered.

One absolute must try when you visit: Chef Dan is the man at The Mill Casino (sorry couldn’t resist)! He made us the most amazing Cioppino at Plank House Restaurant the bowl was overflowing with crab, clams, prawns and underneath that, a savory tomato broth that would be fantastic all by itself! Make sure you order extra garlic bread so you can sop up every last bite!

Coos Bay is also famous for amazing golfing and the Oregon Dunes, which are a huge attraction (literally). If you’ve never seen sand dunes taller than a house undulating outward as far as the eye can see, then it’s worth a drive to Coos Bay just to check these out (even better if you have some sort of ATV to take a ride out on the dunes, but they’re pretty amazing to walk on too)! Another nice thing about The Mill Casino is that they offer adventure packages that will get you a room at the casino and discounts on dining and attractions in Coos Bay!

After a four hour drive, eating amazing food, and checking out the sights, we were very glad to be staying in Coos Bay for the night. One more insider tip: the beds at The Mill Casino are some of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in!

Pssst…just in time for Valentines Day.  Here are some specials you and your Valentine will fall in love with:

HOSPITALITY
Davy Jones Package: The aforementioned room for two plus two tickets to Davy Jones’ February 12 shows (7 or 9 p.m.). Call to make your reservations for this wonderful room/concert package for only $107!!
800-953-4800 ext 3
*offer subject to availability
Or for concert tickets, call or stop by KoKwel Gifts.
800-953-4800 ext 9

Seasonal Packages: Don’t forget our seasonal packages including our Rainy Day Package: The groundhog asked us to remember there’s only 6 more weeks of winter. Until then, The Mill Hotel offers a few extra touches sure to make your winter stay even more enjoyable. Prices start at $140.

Call now for reservations 800-953-4800 ext 3 or reserve through our web site.

GAMING
Saints vs. Colts – $6,000 Super Sunday: Win a share of $6,000 at our 7 p.m. Drawing with a $4,400 Grand Prize. Pick up your FREE ENTRIES today! A FREE $250 football pool and free popcorn! Watch the game from most anywhere on the casino floor. February 7.

$4,000 Pick ‘til You Win giveaway: Pick up your FREE entries beginning February 10, then win a share of $2,000 at each of two Grand Prize drawings – February 14 & 15. Bonus: pick up 5 free entries via coupon at www.themillcasino.com

DINING
“Burns Night” Celebration and Dinner: The Coastal Celtic Society presents dinner with entertainment featuring the poetry of Robert Burns plus bagpipes, harp and more! February 6.

Saints vs. Colts – Super Sunday Buffet: $6 game day buffet in Warehouse 101. Plus a free $250 football pool. February 7.

$5 Early Bird buffet discount Get $5 off our Friday-Saturday all-you-can-eat Seafood Buffet when you dine between 4 and 5:30 p.m. No coupon required!

10% Senior discount Get ten percent off at age 55 and better anywhere you dine at The Mill.

All offers subject to availability. The Mill reserves the right to modify or cancel any promotion at any .time. The Mill Casino is not responsible for omissions and typographical, transmission or other errors

Congratulations to the participants of the Culinary Showdown held at The Mill Casino last month!  Our Executive Chef Dan Catanio helped raise $3,000 for area youth through this event created for area high school students.  Teams of students went head to head in an Iron Chef-like competition where the secret ingredients were marinated chicken breasts and halibut.  The event garnered considerable coverage in our local media- here are some of the stories-

See the video on KCBY at:

Learn more about Chef Dan on KMTR's Dining on a Dime with Chef Dan Segments  (Eugene, Oregon) in their evening news broadcast.  Last week the program featured “Chef Dan's Chicken Breast Poached in Orange Juice.

  Welcome To The Beautiful Oregon Coast!

   Available
Year Round. Experience the stately formal gardens of Shore Acres State
Park. Visit tide pools and learn about the extraordinary animals and
plants that live there. Discover the dramatic Oregon Dunes on foot.
Stroll the seashore and learn about the native flora and fauna
including sea lions and seals. Or, let us customize a package
exclusively for your group.