MattBites

Amelia

Sorry for the late notice, but if you're in Los Angeles and find yourself with an open Saturday afternoon then you should check out my friend Amelia Saltsman at the Santa Monica Public Library, the Ocean Park branch. She'll be discussing how to eat well throughout the year and also signing copies of her book The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook.  I adore this woman and her book and you should really check it out!

Amelia Saltsman: “A New Year’s Resolution for Eating Well the Whole Year!”

Talk, Tasting, and Book Signing

Saturday, January 26   3:00 p.m.

Santa Monica Library, Ocean Park Branch

2601 Main Street    310-392-3804

Amelia Saltsman, author of the bestselling The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook, will guide and inspire you to eat well now and throughout the year with a “show-and-tell” of fresh, seasonal produce and quick, healthy ways to use the abundance of nutritious, delicious ingredients found at local farmers’ markets. In one quick hour, you’ll come away with loads of new and easy ideas!

 

Praised by The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, The Boston Globe, and The Snail, The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes, and Stories from the Market and Farm has been included in numerous Top 10’s of 2007—Dutton’s Books; Amazon; Starchefs; Orange County Register—and was a featured selection in KCRW’s Cookbook Club.

Amelia Saltsman is host and producer of “Fresh from the Farmers’ Market” on CityTV 16 and a frequent guest on KCRW’s “Good Food.” See her pull-out guide, “Shopping the Winter Season,” in the February issue of Bon Appetit.

King Corn: The Movie

It turns out you really are what you eat.

Hey folks, if you're in Los Angeles I'm really encouraging you to catch the premiere of King Corn, a thoroughly entertaining (and perplexing, I might add) documentary by Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis.

The premise: two best friends from college on the east coast reconnect with their Iowa roots and decide to learn where their food comes from. They take one acre, get some help from neighbors, grow some corn and learn some pretty interesting lessons about this subsidized, genetically modified crop. The real fun happens when they try to follow their pile of corn into the food system. An eye-opening experience to say the least.

My friends at Culinate sent me a screener a few weeks ago -- incidentally one of the filmmakers is blogging there as a special guest -- and after watching King Corn it really left me scratching my head.This corn questions started for me when I read Michael Pollan's Omnivore Dilemma, and if these guys don't get you thinking in real-world terms about our food supply and government subsidies and the farm bill, well, I just don't know what to tell you. It's a brilliantly entertaining piece of work, and watching these guys make a homemade batch of high fructose corn syrup might make you think twice before reaching for that bottle of soda.

I sure hope it does.

King Corn opens in Los Angeles on October 26th at Laemmle's Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills and in San Francisco and Berkeley on November 2nd. Visit the King Corn website for additional openings across the country and please please please support these guys!

FREE TICKETS! FREE TICKETS! Did that get your attention? Visit Culinate to win a pair of tickets for the King Corn premiere in Los Angeles.

The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook

Pardon me if I am a bit biased and excited about this next entry. It's about a very special person and her very special book about a very special place. Amelia Saltsman, writer, cooking teacher, producer and host of Fresh from the Farmers' Market, has just written a book titled The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook, Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes, and Stores from the Market and Farm and I am as giddy as I can be just thinking about it. A California institution, the Santa Monica Farmers' Market is one of my favorite places (it's right up there with one of my other favorite spots, La Boqueria in Barcelona) and it's always a treat to pay a visit to this market. It reaffirms everything I love about California -- the produce, the people and our geographical location on this big crazy planet. Amelia, who has a deep connection and relationship with the Santa Monica Farmers' Market, has written a book about all the wonderful things that makes this place so truly special. It's more than just a cookbook though; it's a great resource for utilizing the season's best fruits and vegetables while giving recognition to those who have dedicated their lives in bringing it to us. It's a worthwhile and commendable effort on the farmers' and Amelia's part indeed.

I haven't had a chance to fully work my way through the book yet (I'm halfway there!) nor have I had a chance to meet Amelia and ask her a few questions;  I plan on doing so in the next few weeks. But I wanted to share the special events that she has coming up during the month of October. And the best part is that she's not only doing events in Los Angeles but in my hometown of Austin, Texas. How neat is that? Peruse the events, check your calendar and be sure to make it to one of her events. I have it on good authority that they'll be lovely, informative, delicious and worthwhile. And if you go to Monday night's event, say hello – I'll be there!

BRASS CAP DINNER AND BOOK SIGNING
Monday, October 1, 2007
6:30 p.m.
100 W. Channel Rd.
Santa Monica, CA
For reservations: (310) 454-4544

Brass Cap Restaurant is proud to host author Amelia Saltsman for a signing of her new cookbook The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes, and Stories from the Market and Farm, followed by a seasonal farmers’ market dinner with recipes from Amelia’s book prepared by Brass Cap’s Executive Chef Ricky Moreno. 

The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, Brass Cap cocktail, a copy of the book, and four-course dinner with wine. Some menu highlights: Heirloom Tomato, Cucumber and Bread Salad; Farmers’ Market Risotto; and Pork Stew with Seasonal Beans and Greens. 

A longtime advocate of slow food, organic produce, local farmers and farmers markets, Amelia Saltsman’s recipes reflect her love and admiration for the people who grow our food -- the farmers.  Joining us at this special event, will be some of the farmers whose produce will be showcased on the menu.  Cost is $98.

CULINARY HISTORIANS OF SO. CALIFORNIA
“When So Cal Went Ag: Past and Present Stories of Farming and Farmers' Markets in Southern California”
Panel Discussion & Book Signing
Saturday, October 13, 2007
10:30 a.m.
Los Angeles Central Public Library
630 W. 5th St.
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 228-7201

Back in the day when southern California was prime agricultural land and The Los Angeles Times printed crop reports, Angelenos had local access to a wide array of fresh produce. We lost our way for awhile, but now there is renewed passion for crop diversity and connecting to the source, most often, for us city dwellers, by purchasing directly from the grower at farmers’ markets. What was available here one hundred and more years ago? What was, and is it like to be a farmer in southern California, and why and how did the current and booming certified farmers’ market system develop? Join Amelia Saltsman, author of The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook; Molly Iwamoto Gean, third generation-California farmer and co-owner of Harry's Berries farm in Oxnard; and Laura Avery, Market Supervisor of the Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets for a lively presentation followed by a reception and book signing including tastes from Molly’s farm and Amelia’s book.

Laura Avery, Market Supervisor of the Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets, has overseen the growth of the city’s market program since she began as the downtown market manager in 1982. She also serves as president of the Southland Farmers’ Market Association Board.

Molly Iwamoto Gean is a third generation-California farmer who comes from a long line of farmers in southern Japan. She is co-owner of Harry's Berries farm in Oxnard, which sells exclusively at southern California farmers’ markets, and is president of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers' Market Association.

Amelia Saltsman is the author of The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes, and Stories from the Market and Farm, and editor of The Food Journal, the newsletter of the Culinary Historians of Southern California. Amelia serves on the California Certified Farmers’ Market Advisory Committee.

The Culinary Historians of Southern California is a not-for-profit organization that supports the culinary collections at the Los Angeles Public Library. For more information on the Culinary Historians of Southern California go to culinaryhistoriansofsoutherncalifornia.org.

BOOK SIGNING AT BARNES AND NOBLE
Saturday, October 20, 2007
11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1201 Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 260-9110

“HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING IDEAS FROM THE FARMERS’ MARKET” WITH AMELIA SALTSMAN
Cooking Demo & Book Signing
Thursday, October 25, 2007
7:00 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 458-8600

From easy table decorations to simple festive dishes, the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market offers all makings.  Amelia Saltsman demonstrates sustainable decorating ideas and delicious food from her book, The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes, and Stories from the Market and Farm.  A book signing will follow the demo and tasting.

AUSTIN FARMERS’ MARKET
Cooking Demo & Book Signing
Saturday, October 27, 2007
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
4th & Guadalupe
Austin, TX
(512) 236-0074

   
FINO RESTAURANT, PATIO & BAR
Harvest Dinner and Book Signing with Boggy Creek Farm
Monday, October 29, 2007   
7:00 p.m.
2905 San Gabriel St.
Austin, TX
For reservations: (512) 474-2905

All photographs in this post ©2007 Hill Street Studios.

Event: Morimoto at the Skirball

The kind folks at the Skirball Cultural Center wanted me to pass on some information to you, my kind and sweet and culturally-engaged readers, so here it is!

(plus Evan Klieman is involved and she makes my lil heart all pitter patter when she talks)

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Iron Chef Morimoto: The New Art Of Japanese Cooking

Sunday, September 30, 4:00 pm

Exclusive L.A. engagement! Since 1998, culinary master and restaurateur Masaharu Morimoto has combined his passion for cuisine, competition and performance as Iron Chef on the wildly popular television shows of the same name. His extraordinary creations are rooted in distinctive Japanese flavors and aromas, infused with multicultural influences-from traditional Chinese spices to simple Italian ingredients-and presented in a refined French style. Join Morimoto for a demonstration of recipes from his new book, Morimoto: The New Art of Japanese Cooking, as well as a conversation with Evan Kleiman, host of KCRW's "Good Food" radio program. Tasting samples of prepared recipes and a book signing will follow the program.

Admission:

$35 General
$30 Skirball Members
$25 Full-Time Students
Ticket sales end on Thursday, September 27, at 4:00 p.m.

For more information please visit Skirball.org.

Matt Teaches A Class!

Are you in New York City? Are you interested in a few hours of food blogging talk, photography chit chat and some food styling tips with some really goofy guy named Matt whose blog you just happen to reading this very second? Then stop by the Culinary Center at Whole Foods Market Bowery where I'll be teaching "The Ins And Outs of Food Blogging" with the good folks at my alma mater on Sunday, July 15th.

I must admit that I was flattered beyond belief when I was approached for a class. It's Whole Foods Market, for pete's sake! And although it's my first class with Whole Foods Market, I'm no stranger to the natural foods juggernaut. I got my start in the food business back in Austin with Whole Foods 17 years ago (anybody remember Brodie Oaks?) and even though it was a small natural foods grocer at that time with 5 stores and I've since moved on, I've never lost my deep connection to the company as they've expanded and gone global. I still consider them part of my family, so when the offer came to teach a class I didn't have to think twice.

You can register for my class here as well as discover all the other amazing classes they offer. I'm bummed I missed the cooking class series with the folks from Saveur Magazine! I can only imagine how cool that was.

I look forward to seeing you!

I probably can't convey the excitement running through my bones when I found out that the Kitchen Sisters would be having an evening of sonic adventures featuring bits and pieces of their Hidden Kitchen series as well as Lost & Found sound. I probably can't convey my giddiness either when one of the producers emailed me to make sure I would stop by. As if she even had to ask? Can I stop drooling now?

I have tried unsuccessfully to describe the Kitchen Sisters to friends, but if you are a fan of NPR then you probably already know them and their award-winning stories about community, underground and hidden kitchens, street-corner cooking and eating traditions. Or as they say, how "communities come together through food". I'm sure glad they have mission statements on their website because I either start laughing or crying uncontrollably when I think of their story-telling. And why? Because these women have captured that unreported slice of life, that bit that goes unnoticed, and they do stellar work in bringing it to everyone to share. It's fun, happy and touching. They love people and food, I love people and food. How on earth can you not love that?

In fact, part of my stumbling block in describing what they do involves the fact that their work is so rich and so full of meaning that it leaves me speechless. HELLO? Have you met me? I am never at a loss for words. EVER. But with these gals, you betcha.

So, this Thursday night they will be at The Hammer Museum for an evening that is billed as "a night of radio, readings, guest stars and some secret, below-the-radar, Los Angeles hidden kitchen cooking." And it is FREE. I said FREE. This is Los Angeles–nothing is free.

(And another reason I'm so boyishly excited is that the evening will be hosted by Renee Montagne, the only woman who wakes me up every morning and keeps me company on the way to work five days a week!)

There's tons of information about The Kitchen Sisters on their website, and you can hear more of them on NPR. For information on the event, visit the UCLA web site.

If you see me with my camera in hand and a box of tissues in the other, please, say hello! But please, don't miss this very special event!

The Kitchen Sisters will be at the Hammer Museum this Thursday, March 29 at 8pm. The address is 10899 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles.

Something from EaterLA that I thought I'd pass along...

"The farmers that allow us to have beautiful produce on the table when we go out to eat are having a tough time following last month's cold snap, and chefs Suzanne Goin and Evan Kleinman want to help. During February, their restaurants and several others will offer special menus to raise money for the farmers. When you think about this, it's easy to see why the direct farm-to-restaurant relationship is a good thing. So far, Angeli Caffe, Lucques, AOC, The Hungry Cat, Grace, Canele, Border Grill, Beacon, and others have signed up; a full list, which is updated regularly, can be found here.

If I wasn't 5,000 miles from home I'd jump on this. An opportunity to help farmers while dining at some of our best restaurants? C'mon now, seriously. AOC? Hungry Cat? Grace? Seems like a natural to me.