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Food for Thought
The Slow Food Orange County Newsletter
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February, 2009
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Welcome
Welcome to the February issue of "Food for Thought." We're so glad you've chosen to receive our newsletter and share exciting news of our events.While you will find the most current information about our chapter in this newsletter, be sure to visit our website. Learn more about excellent local restaurants and markets, and find out how to share your talents and play a larger roll in the Slow Food family. We would love to hear from you. Send us an email. Our fundraising efforts support the Monkey Business Cafe in Fullerton.
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New to Slow Food?
Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a
global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world
that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the
environment. For more information, visit their website.
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How are we doing?
We welcome additions to and comments about this newsletter. Please send us an email
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 Our Next Event
Master Gardener Workshop & Potluck
March 1, 4 to 6 p.m.
2335 North Park Blvd. Santa Ana
Kay Haven and and Irmaagard Waltz, Master Gardeners, will present "Home Vegetable Gardening, " which covers site selection, soil preparation, irrigation, fertilizers, warm vs. cool season crops, seed starting, harvesting, raised beds and container gardening and will provide reference material and website recommendations. Informational handouts and materials for starting plants from seed (seed trays, seed packets, seed starting mix) will be on hand to demonstrate. The talk will last about an hour and we'll take questions after. Potluck dinner to follow, please bring a dish to share Donations of $10 are requested at this event and your RSVP is necessary to attend.
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Our last event
In honor of Valentine's Day, members of Slow Food Orange County and many guests met at the Ritz Restaurant in Newport Beach on January 25 for a demonstration of chocolate desserts by pastry chef Frederic Moreau. Using Valrhona chocolate, Frederic showed us how to make a blueberry ganache, then demonstrated the craft of assembling both small chocolate bites and an enormous chocolate sculpture. With an arsenal of tools including an airbrush and edible gold dust, he created leaves, flowers, and butterflies as the guests enjoyed wine and appetizers provided by the Ritz. The chocolates were as delicious as they looked. An affair to remember, the event had a remarkable turnout and was an excellent opportunity to share the finer points of slow cuisine with both long time members and new faces.
Heather Stoltzfus
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 Also in March
Brew Making Workshop & Potluck
March 15, 2 to 6 p.m.
8215 Denni Street, Cypress
Robert Wise, past president of the Long Beach Home Brewing Association, will show us how to make our own beer at home. His wife Victoria will provide a beer-based menu to show different ways that beer is incorporated into main dishes and side dishes. Participants will be able to taste the brew we will be featuring at our May event and bring home recipes for their own creations. Beer making kits will be available for $50.00 each, to be purchased at the event. Price is $10.00 for Members and $15.00 for Non-Members. Ticket includes tasting of a brew, an herbal mead, and beer basted pulled pork sliders with a salad. We will be shown how to brew a beer that will be featured at our May BBQ in Bommer Canyon. This event limited to 30 people and reservations are necessary to attend. Please bring a plate of small sandwiches, potato salad or slaw to share. This event limited to 30 people. Make your reservations
here.
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Produce of the Month
How fortunate we are to live in a place where so much fresh produce is available year round.
While much produce that fills the local supermarket has been shipped from all over the world, a few local farms and farmers markets allow us to eat well close to home.
Visit our website for a listing of local farmers markets, and the website of South Coast Farms in San Juan Capistrano.All kinds of delicious information is available at NRDC - The Earth's Best Defense, and Local Harvest - real food, real farmers, real community.
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APRIL
April 26, 4 p.m.
Cheese Making Workshop
Location: 483 Linden Street, Laguna Beach
Heather Stoltzfus, Slow Food Orange County board member and winner of "Best in Show" in the Orange County Fair Theme Competition "Say Cheese" in 2008, will be demonstrating how easy and cost-effective it is to make soft cheeses at home. She will show us how to make mozzarella in thirty minutes, and also present techniques for making other soft cheeses such as fromage blanc. Most importantly, there will be plenty of time for tasting! $10 members, $15 non-members. This event limited to 20 people. Ticket information to follow.
MAY
May 30
Slow Food Orange County Barbecue and Potluck in Bommer Canyon, Irvine
Historic Bommer Canyon was the original site for the annual cattle round up and branding for the Irvine Ranch.
It is now preserved as open space and provides a trail head location as well as beautiful picnic area under the
shade of majestic sycamore trees. The event will be co-sponsored by the City of Irvine with a focus on food
and nutrition. Barbecue will feature organic chicken. There will be a gate fee but it will be open to all who
are interested and will be an opportunity for old and new members to enjoy a fun time and learn something
more about SFOC. We will need the help of all members to put this on.
Mark you calendars today. This is an event you won't want to miss.
May date to be announced
Possible field trip to Cooking For Solutions at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Visit our website for future events.
PLEASE NOTE:
Workshops that may be substituted throughout the year include a tortellini and sauce making workshop and chef demonstrations. Please contact us if you would like to conduct a workshop.
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Recommended Reading
We haven't found anything interesting this month. Please share your selections here.
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Food News
Roof garden at Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills helps Blue on Blue dishes bloom
By Deborah Netburn
Los Angeles Times, February 14 2009
Read past the organic yogurt parfait with "La Brea granola," and the menu at the restaurant
Blue on Blue at the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills lists a golden beet salad with "Roof-top"
arugula, English pea soup with "Roof-top" mint, and house-made pasta with black
trumpet mushrooms and peas infused with a "Roof-top" lemon balm oil.
The complete article can be viewed at:http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-hm-rooftop14-2009feb14,0,1007239.story More Food News
Slow food: Have we lost our appetite?
With purse strings tightening and sales of organic food falling, can the world afford the luxury of 'slow food'?
Leo Hickman meets its founder, Carlo Petrini, who believes that his vision of farmers' markets in every
neighbourhood, community vegetable allotments and network of small local producers could help to shape
a global re-evaluation of food and farming
Leo Hickman, guardian.co.uk
February 4, 2009
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/04/slow-food-carlo-petrini
Local Events of InterestThe Japanese Food and Sake Festival will be presented on March 5th, 2009 from 5 - 8 pm
at the Hyatt Regency,11999 Harbor Blvd in Garden Grove. Tickets are $40.00 person.
Visit www.japanesefoodculture.org or call the Japan Travel Brueau in Costa Mesa at 800-795-9339 for tickets
and information. This is in conjunction with the Natural Products Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center.
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Become a Member
We invite you to join the Slow Food movement! Slow Food OC is working hard to preserve and protect local foods and food traditions. Our convivium plans events and programs in places across OrangeCounty-anywhere from community gardens, taste education dinners, and farm tours-join the network and become active in planning and participating in these diverse initiatives.
Click here for Benefits of Membership. Send us an email if you have any questions.
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