Food is Arte 2011 Events and 2010 Programs

So far we have the following events and presentations scheduled for this year:

1.- In collaboration with Cinema Tropical and Carlos Gutierrez we will have a showing of the film “Vuelva a la Vida”, a name that refers to a cocktail often used as a hangover cure and that translates as Return to Life. We are hoping that the new and wonderful mezcal Pierde Almas will  be one of the sponsors.  In addition we will have a contest both for chefs and the general public as to who makes the best vuelve a la vida.  (We have not been able to find a theater for this.)

^To celebrate the opening of Toloache east side , renowned entomologist, Mark Moffett, known as www.doctorbugs.com, will tell stories about eating insects all around the world and me or someone else will talk about the insect-eating  tradition in Mexico. People will be able to sample grasshoppers and and sauces with maguey worms.  Thios event will be held in early November. The restaurant is not open yet so we have not firmed up the exact date.

-Help set up the ourdoor “ofrenda” ,the traditional altar for the Days of the Dead and learn the meaning of the arch, the marigolds and food at Ofrenda Restaurant.  A brunch will be offered and the price is $25.00 per person. October 28th, 11:00 AM

3.- We will take a whole pig and use every part  like we did at the ranch and make carne adobada,  carnitas, cueritos (pickled pork skins), chorizo, lard, chicharrones and pozole. This course is designed for chefs and well-trained cooks and because of the products involved will be more costly than the usual

4.-  John Mooney  of the wonderful restaurant Bell, Book and Candle where he only serves hydroponically-grown vegetables has agreed to let us visit his garden and explain the process.  Barbara Sibley of La Palapa will give the talk about the chinampas and together they can cook from his garden.   Price per person: $35.00

5.-On December 3 we will have a celebration of the state of Chihuahua with the highlight being Jacobo Neuberg, a Mennonite from the Casas Grandes ares who will teach us how to make real Mennonite aka Chihuahua cheese!  We’ve picked that date because the Museum of the American Indian has their Xmas market (I will be catering the reception on the 2nd) and I am hoping the state will send me some Tarahumara basket weavers and a friend will bring some of the pottery from Mata Ortiz.

Cafe Frida will reenact a posada (the reinactment of Joseph and Mary looking for a place to stay and have their baby born.  The menu will be derived from Frida’s Feasts, a lovely book with excellent recipes and Dina Loer, of LA Sirena, Mexican arts and crafts store will set up a large nativity scene. And of course the pinata will not be missing.  Date to come soon.

We have other things planned but that’s enough to give you a taste, no?  We invite chefs and scholars to submit proposals but I still have not been able to get them to do it.

Food is Arte 2010 events:

During our debut year we offered a wide range of activities:

1.-Julian Medina had a tortilla making class for children at his restaurant Toloache

2.- Food Network star, Aaron Sanchez, led a tour to Red Hook

3.- Susana Trilling presented recipes incorporating her new products at a grand party with a mescal tasting.

4.-I gave a class on brunch dishes.

5.- Zoyla Mendoza of Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca, came to New York to be part of my seminar on the Mexican Corn Kitchen at the Museum of the American Indian and gave a class on Zapotec food,

6.-Sue Torres led a group to the Greenmarket and used the ingredients in a cooking class at her restaurant Sueños.

7.- Barbara Sibley of La Palapa and heirloom  tomato grower and author of Heirloom Tim Stark, collaborated on a presentation featuring dishes from Barbara’s book Antojitos.

8.- Lastly a group gathered for the mariachi serenade in honor of Santa Cecilia in Brooklyn , patron saint of musicians and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Roberto Santibañez’s Fonda.

We are very pleased t hat we were able to organize so many events with such short notice.