The irrepressible Gabriel Claycamp says that the new Seattle Street Food Fair (which Mr. Spangenthal-Lee wrote about here) will be happening in two short months:

Life is certainly funny. Who would have thought, 4 months ago, that we would be starting an association with Josh Henderson of Skillet to bring street food back to Seattle? Even funnier: Gabriel is the official liaison to the Health Department and the other city agencies! [It's funny—funny-ironic, not funny-ha-ha—because of all the trouble Claycamp's had with such entities in the past.]...in contrast to the City's previous stance on street food, the officials seem genuinely excited to help Seattle move into a new era of great food opportunities.

The Street Food Fair will start in August 2009 in South Lake Union... Expect a fun experience with about 10-12 vendors, a huge variety of foods, and best of all: Late hours. In a city that is famous for rolling up the sidewalks around 9:30pm, we will be open until midnight/1am. Beer and Wine will be available as well as oysters, donuts, Swinery bacon, and Skillet everything etc.

Claycamp also says Tamara Murphy—she of Brasa, Elliott Bay Cafe, and the majestic Burning Beast (get your tickets before they sell out)—"is involved." Murphy has not yet returned a call for comment.

If you want to be a vendor or have an idea for the Fair, Claycamp would love to hear from you.

In other Claycampian news, the Swinery—his bacon-curing operation—is purportedly going to become a full-service deli/butcher in West Seattle, located inside the Seattle Fish Company on California near the junction. However, "The deal isn't finalized yet." Claycamp's whole email is after the jump.

Photo of Claycamp by The Stranger's Kelly O.

Dear Foodie Friends,

It has been months since we last wrote to you, and much has changed since then. As you know, Culinary Communion has officially closed and we have lost the lease on the Beacon Space. This has been an incredibly sad transition but a necessary one. There was no way we could have rebuilt CC somewhere else after all of the money that we sank into the Beacon space. We have very little recourse but to sue the landlords for damages, the lawsuit is currently progressing. The whole situation, which started with the best of intentions from all parties, is a huge mess.

In the meantime, We (Gabriel and Heidi) have been taking some mandatory down time (that is modern codeword for being unemployed!) We have moved our family to Vashon Island where we found a perfect place for us. We are renting a house on some acreage with chickens and a big garden. It is a great place to take a breath, raise some kids, and reflect. It's also a good launch spot for what's next.

So What is Next?
The Swinery
The Swinery Lives! Gabriel has been working hard to get the Swinery back together and has rented a kitchen in West Seattle. The place is a commissary type kitchen called U.S.I. Here he is about to restart making the cured meats you all know and love. Please come and show your support at the Vashon Farmer's Market THIS SATURDAY, June 13th, where Gabriel will be frying up some bacon.

The Swinery Deli (The Swine Shop?)
The rumors are true. The Swinery is about to open an official retail establishment in West Seattle. This will be a full-service delicatessen (in the style of DeLaurenti's, but smaller). We will carry cured meats from our friends around the sound and include a FULL butcher shop, as well as truly incredible cheeses that you don't see anywhere else. We will have some dry goods, plus plenty of the hard to find deli items. This will be a delicatessen for foodies—for CC type foodies, who would everyday ask us where to buy veal bones, or salt cod, or bocarones. We hope to open this summer. Culinary Communion will have a little play here too: The Swinery Deli will feature a computer and printer running the complete CC database of recipes and curriculum. Now, when you ask about oxtails or mahi mahi, you can choose from a selection of real recipes, tested and proven. This has never been done before, truly turning a retail store into an educational cooking experience.

Where is it?
For 7 years people asked the Chefs at CC where their favorite fish store was. Without a doubt, our first response was always: Seattle Fish Company in West Seattle (California Ave, just north of the Junction). Owner Hobey Grote carries, we believe, the most amazing fish in Seattle at the best price. Only one little oddity, Seattle Fish has a huge amount of empty space in the front of its store
perfect to house an amazing deli/butcher. The deal isn't finalized yet, but Hobey has told us to go ahead and tell people. Please, if you are in the area, come down, say hi to Hobey and crew, and buy some fish to show your support for this incredible opportunity for all of us!! The combination of amazing seafood, incredible meats and cheeses, and great wine will be a treasure for West Seattle and the whole Puget Sound.

Street Food
Life is certainly funny. Who would have thought, 4 months ago, that we would be starting an association with Josh Henderson of Skillet to bring street food back to Seattle? Even funnier: Gabriel is the official liaison to the Health Department and the other city agencies! Things are going amazingly well. The City of Seattle and the Mayor have been wonderful to work with; in contrast to the City's previous stance on street food, the officials seem genuinely excited to help Seattle move into a new era of great food opportunities.
The Street Food Fair will start in August 2009 in South Lake Union. Next year, we will have multiple locations and move around Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Expect a fun experience with about 10-12 vendors, a huge variety of foods, and best of all: Late hours. In a city that is famous for rolling up the sidewalks around 9:30pm, we will be open until midnight/1am. Beer and Wine will be available as well as oysters, donuts, Swinery bacon, and Skillet everything etc. Our friend and culinary coach, Tamara Murphy, is involved, helping Josh and Gabe make this fair the best in can be. Who knows what food she will be preparing, but you know it will be good!
We need VENDORS!!! If you have a favorite chef, go bug him/her! Tell them they need a booth at the street fair. The Seattle Food Scene can only survive and thrive if everybody gets involved. Want a Singaporean type street market? Us too! Help us find the right cooks. You all are the core of the Seattle Foodie Scene. CC students run this town. You guys vote with your appetites about what flies and what crashes. You all want this, so let's make it happen. Email eat@seattlestreetfood.org.

Thank you all for your love and support. This has been the most painful and trying time of our lives. Everything we gave our lives to build for so long is gone
but something new is coming. We will never give up. We fell in love with Seattle, night by night, around the Culinary Communion table. We met you, we broke bread, we got a little drunk, we made good memories. Come join us again.

~Gabriel & Heidi