Starting Something New - Dallas Farmers Market (DFM)

For those members who have been dreading going to the Dallas Farmers Market because it is too far or just need to feed off someone else's culinary vibe, this is you chance to voice your opinion!

I would like to propose a carpool/meet up of Slow Food members on a certain day and time (preferably on a weekend). This event would not be a Slow Food meeting per say but rather a chance to meet up with other members and draw some energy off their culinary vibes. For those of us who live a long distance away this could also be a chance to carpool.

Either way I wanted to get the ball rolling and see which weekend day and time would work best for our members.

Slow Food Dallas Annual Meeting 2009

A sunny, mild Sunday provided the perfect atmosphere for Dallas Slow Food members to enjoy one another's company at Dali Wine Bar. The annual meeting was filled with old greetings, new introductions, and re-capping the past slow year for the Dallas chapter. Our new leadership team was introduced:

Claudine Martyn ~ Leader

Christopher Tuck ~ Co-Leader

Shane Stephens ~ Secretary

Kelly Ingram ~ Events Chair

Jim Shade ~ Events Co-Chair

Alfred LaNasa ~ Membership Chair

Melissa Althen ~ Communications

Richard Silverston ~ Webmaster

It was exciting to see several brand new members (welcome, and thank you for coming). Thanks to Paul Pinnell and the staff at Dali for hosting. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of slowing down together with small bites and great wine in the inspiring Arts District of Dallas.

2010 promises to be a super year for Slow Food Dallas!

Dali's Wine Bar

Ugo Ginatta & Mark Monfrey

Enjoying Company [photo includes Jim Shade(center) & Richard Silverston(standing)]

Kelly Ingram, Claudine Martyn

Enjoying Conversation [photo includes Shane Stephens(with wife, Melissa - seated right)]

Mark Monfrey, Kelly Ingram

"Clean Food" Book Signing October 19th

Join EdibleDFW and Terry Walters October 19th at Barnes and Nobles for a book signing/cooking demo:

19 OCT. 2009

Barnes &Noble (Store #2884)

7:00pm, Cooking demo & signing

7700 West Northwest Hwy

Dallas, TX

Visit ediblecommunities.com and terrywalters.net for more information.

Annual Slow Food Dallas Meeting at Dali Wine Bar

Sunday, Oct 18th, 2009 - Annual Meeting at Dali Wine Bar, One Arts Plaza, Dallas

Time: 2 - 3:30 pm
Location: Dali Wine Bar
One Arts Plaza, 1722 Routh Street
RSVP: email Claudine at martynclaudine [at] gmail [dot] com

There will be appetizers provided and a cash bar. We'll talk about our plans for this year and introduce our new Leadership Team. We love to hear your suggestions and ideas, so please bring them with you!

Dali advised us that October 18 is going to be the Arts District opening there will probably be challenges to parking, but Dali will let us know what will work best. Watch for a follow-up email regarding parking if you have rsvp'd that you are attending.

We look forward to seeing you there!

JOHN BESH at Sur la table

Dallas Slow Foodies,

I want to invite everyone to the book signing with Chef John Besh, at Sur la table, Knox Street location on Friday October 9th at 5:00 pm.
I hope that everyone can make it!
Hope to see y'all there,

Alfredo

Slow Food National Membership Drive Extended

Wow. It’s been a pretty exciting few days. Our September membership drive—where we waived our traditional $60 membership fee—was a huge success. More than 5000 people joined Slow Food, over ten times our normal monthly rate. It turns out there was some pent-up demand for lower membership rates, after all, and not just from my fellow non-profit-employed friends.

Perhaps our most incredible response came from Mr. Donald Sussman. He was so enthusiastic about the positive results that he encouraged us to keep the drive going. And his encouragement was particularly compelling: he has offered to match all new gifts that come in between now and October 15 dollar for dollar.

As you can imagine, there’s been a lot of excitement and positive spirits here in the Brooklyn office of Slow Food USA. What a welcome break from the grey spirits of a year where we’ve seen dips in charitable giving across the country and so many of our friends deal with layoffs and downsizing. If you haven’t yet joined Slow Food, now is the time. Help us maximize this incredible opportunity that Mr. Sussman has given us. And if you have, know that there is an office full of hard-working food advocates toasting you with a glass of locally-grown, seasonally appropriate apple cider.

Visit www.slowfoodusa.com to join now!

Volunteer with Days of Taste!

“In this age of fast and frozen food, we want to teach school children about real food – where it is grown and how it is produced – so that they can develop an understanding and appreciation of how good food is supposed to taste.” - Julia Child, AIWF co-founder

“Old McDonald had a farm, not a drive through.” - Joanne Bondy, Days of Taste Volunteer, Executive Chef, The Gaylord Resort and Convention Center, Grapevine,Texas

Chefs, Foodies, Nutrition Experts, Farmers and Growers—come one, come all!
Be a part of the Coolest Field Trip of All!
It’s Days of Taste Time Again!

Join us as we explore the ABC’s of Taste & Health through the American Institute of Wine and Food Days of Taste Program. Held at the Dallas Farmer’s Market, Days of Taste provides a unique field trip experience for 4th and 5th grade elementary students in Dallas public schools. Through the program, students have the opportunity to explore the nuances of taste through the five senses with a tasting component guided by a chef, a visit with a local farmer to discover the wealth and variety of products grown and that are available locally, and prepare a Harvest salad using fresh produce that the they have purchased themselves at the Dallas Farmer’s Market. Volunteer culinarians and nutritionists share their enthusiasm for fresh ingredients, cooking, and love of food. The program teaches kids the concept of “from farm to table”-one that is difficult for kids to grasp these days.


Our FALL 2009 Dates:

Monday, Nov. 2
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Thursday, Nov. 5

Monday, Nov. 9
Tuesday, Nov. 10
Wednesday, Nov. 11
Thursday, Nov. 12

Shifts are from 9:00AM-1:00 PM
10/12 volunteers needed per day-bring your friends!
Dallas Farmer’s Market
Free parking
T-shirt, Lunch and Volunteer Instructions are provided

Volunteer responsibilities include:

* Greeting the students and teachers as they arrive at the market
* Overseeing hand washing
* Assisting chefs and growers as needed
* Assisting students with tasting component
* Assisting in the shopping and preparation of the Harvest salad
* Clean up and other duties as assigned

For more information and to sign up, please contact Robin Plotkin at robin@robinplotkin.com or 214-725-3947. To learn more about AIWF and the Days of Taste Program, please see the Days of Taste link under Programs. Www.aiwf.org/dallasftworth

THANK YOU!



Robin Plotkin, RD, LD
Culinary and Nutrition Communications Consultant
Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
PO Box 38217
Dallas, Texas 75238-0217
214-725-3947 phone
214-348-7491 fax
robin@robinplotkin.com
See what’s new at www.robinplotkin.com
robinplotkin.blogspot.com
www.twitter.com/Robinsbite

Slow "Hell's Kitchen" Down

Turn the heat up in Gordon's kitchen with some slow cookin'.
Official press release:
NOW CASTING FOR AMERICA’S BEST CHEFS!
FOX’s HELL'S KITCHEN is looking for top-notch Chefs, 21 and over, who are passionate about cooking and skilled at their craft.
Can YOU stand the heat?
OPEN CALL: October 12th
12pm - 5pm
The Iron Cactus
1520 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75201
For more information go to www.fox.com/hellskitchen
Call: 310-482-0564 // HK hotline 866-226-2226
Email: hellskitchen@theconlincompany.com