Let's Talk About Food Festival on Copley Square [09/23/17]

The sixth annual Let’s Talk About Food Festival in partnership with the Boston Globe and presented by Star Market is a delicious celebration with a higher purpose: to encourage an open discussion about the biggest issues facing the American food supply and food culture today.

The festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 23 on Copley Square 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A complete schedule of events appears here: http://foodfest.bostonglobe.com/2017-schedule/. Food will be provided by various local vendors and food trucks.

Let’s Talk About Food addresses today’s most critical food topics with leading chefs, authors, entrepreneurs and medical professionals, from the rise in food allergies to the state of sustainable seafood, plus many other issues, in addition to cooking demonstrations, conversations and an author’s tent celebrating the Boston area’s best new cookbooks.

“Let’s Talk About Food is a food festival with a purpose,” said organizer Louisa Kasdon, a longtime Boston food writer, advocate and restaurateur. “We believe that food is the one thing we humans all share as a community. Everybody eats! We believe that once people know more about the food in their world – where it comes from, how to use it, how to celebrate and sustain the people who make, farm and fish for our food – they stay engaged and simply care more about all aspects of food in their lives."

Among the event highlights:

COOKING CONVERSATIONS on the TRIMARK DEMO STAGE
Conversations and personalities include:
The rise in food allergies with Lee Graham of the National Celiac Association, Mallory Muschett of Violette Gluten Free Bakers, Children’s Hospital registered dietician Tara McCarthy and Burton’s Grill CEO Kevin Harron, a leader in gluten-free dining options

The state of sustainable fish stocks, such as dogfish, found here in New England waters with Chatham fisherman Doug Feeney, Brett Tolley of the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, Jared Auerbach of Boston’s seafood wholesaler Red’s Best and chef Matt Celeste of Island Creek Oyster Bar in Burlington.

The re-emergence of cereal grains grown right here in New England with Maria Speck, award winning author of Simply Ancient Grains, Chef/Owner Mike Pagliarini of the fresh pasta-focused restaurants Giulia and Benedetto and members the Oldways Whole Grains Council.

The school food revolution in Boston public school with City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, Revolution Food CEO and founder Kristen Roos Richmond, Laura Benavidez of the Boston Public Schools, as well as the top culinary students in Boston schools.

The fight against too much sugar in our diets with David Martin of the Massachusetts Health Council, Oak + Rowan executive pastry chef Brian Mercury and registered dietician Katherine McManus of Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

The assimilation of immigrant dishes into American culinary culture with Boston chefs Jay Hajj of Mike’s City Diner; Irene Li of Mei Mei, Marie-Claude Mendy of Teranga and Star Market executive chef Vic Passacantilli.

Apple season in New England with Christina Hodges of Sunrise Orchards, chef Todd Heberlien of Volante Farms, Sue Futrel of Red Tomato and Yankee magazine food editor and apple expert Amy Traverso.

SPOTLIGHT KITCHEN COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS
Half-hour cooking demos featuring chefs and authors, including Robin Cohen of Doves and Figs; Megan Giller, author of Bean-to-Bar Chocolate: America’s Craft Chocolate Revolution; Susan Futrell of local food hub Red Tomato and author of the new book Good Apples: Behind Every Bite; Evelyn Battaglia, author of Home Sausage Making, and Shane Clyburn of Slow Food's Boston Chapter; kim chi expert Minnie Luong; Charitable Confections chef and baker Linda Khacadurian; Volante Farms chef Todd Heberlein; Yankee Magazine food editor and The Apple Lover’s Cookbook author Amy Traverso; Global Local Gourmet chef and instructor Nadine Nelson; and Mona Ahmad of Mona’s Curryations.

COOKBOOK AUTHOR’S TENT PRESENTED BY THE READABLE FEAST
Celebrated chefs, authors and food writers will sign copies of their cookbooks and share advice on how to read and write about food, with onsite bookstore by Porter Square Books.

11:20-11:50 – Megan Giller, Bean to Bar Chocolate: America’s Craft Chocolate Revolution
11:40-12:10 – Sally Sampson, The Picky Eater Project: 6 Weeks to Happier, Healthier Family Mealtimes
Noon-12:30 – Susan Futrell, Good Apples: Behind Every Bite
12:40-1:10 – Evelyn Battaglia, Home Sausage Making: 100 Specialty Recipes
1:20-1:50 – Maria Speck, Simply Ancient Grains: Fresh and Flavorful Whole Grain Recipes for Living Well
2-2:30 – Amy Traverso, The Apple Lovers Cookbook
2:40-3:10 – Todd Heberlein, The Volante Farms Cookbook: A Century of Growing
4-4:30 – Jay Hajj, Beirut to Boston: Comfort Food Inspired by a Rags-to-Restaurants Story

For more information, including a complete list of participating chefs and authors, visit the Let’s Talk About Food Festival website at http://foodfest.bostonglobe.com.

Let's Talk About Food Festival on Copley Square

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Let's Talk About Food Festival on Copley Square

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