Hops Supply Co. (HopsCo) will host a five-course dinner Nov. 15 as part of its quarterly Master of Craft Series. The dinner will feature executive chef Tiffany Eslien and her culinary team, sous chef Alex Constantiou and Jaya Griffin.
 
The Master of Craft Series is designed to showcase food and beverage pairings from Eslien as well as the craft of a visiting local artisan. This quarter, rather than brining in an outside speaker, Eslien decided to have her staff share their perspectives on the culinary arts and how they work together as a team to create innovative dishes at HopsCo.
 
“This is the first Master of Craft in which I challenged my staff to help me design the menu,” Eslien said. “They always help me in execution the night of the event, but this time they developed the dishes to be paired with the designated wines and cocktails. It truly was chef collaboration.”
 
Eslien, a Wisconsin native and graduate of Johnson & Wales University, has been with Hops Supply Co. since its opening in late 2012.

Alex Constantiou grew up in the Wilmington area and graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing. He worked in many Cape Fear-area kitchens before joining HopsCo three years ago. Jaya Griffin is a Wilmington native and is currently enrolled in Cape Fear Community College’s culinary program. She is also the owner of a home-based catering business.
 
The Master of Craft menu will feature items such as Kumamoto oysters, duck tostadas, paella, venison and beignets, each paired with wine or a handcrafted cocktail. The full menu can be found on the restaurant's website.

The dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Pub Room at HopsCo, 5400 Oleander Drive, and tickets are $45 including tax and gratuity. Seating is limited to 40 people and reservations are now being accepted at (910) 833-8867.
 
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