Media
Season 4 Top Chef Winner Stephanie Izard Discusses Her New Book "Girl in the Kitchen: How a Top Chef Cooks, Thinks, Shops, Eats And Drinks"
Arrive early to this special event as Season 4 Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard returns to AADL with cooking tips and copies of her new book "Girl in the Kitchen: How a Top Chef Cooks, Thinks, Shops, Eats And Drinks." This event includes a book-signing and books will be on sale at the event (a perfect gift for the Holidays!). The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library.Stephanie Izard knows how to inspire, captivate, and cook up a storm. Fan favorite and the first and only woman to win on TV's Top Chef, she is also the chef and owner of the acclaimed Girl & the Goat restaurant in Chicago. Join us as she discusses her life and her new book."The Girl in the Kitchen" collects more than 100 of Izard's best recipes, from innovative appetizers like Asian-Spiced English Peas to luscious desserts like Quince and Fig Cobbler with Vanilla Mascarpone. Beautifully photographed and bursting with flavor, personality, and insights into the Top Chef's process, the book also includes where she finds her cooking muses, how she shops for food, and which beers and wines she chooses to accompany her meals. 'The Girl in the Kitchen' represents the culmination of a craft and provides inspiration that reaches far beyond the kitchen walls. Do not miss this deliciously amazing event as Stephanie Izard returns to the Library!
Media
Alex Young, Chef @ Zingerman's Roadhouse & Winner Of The James Beard Award
Join us as Alex shares his culinary passions, how he got to where he's at and what his recent win of the James Beard Award has meant for him, Zingerman's and Ann Arbor. He will also bring tasty samples of food!Zingerman's Roadhouse Chef Alexander Young was born in London. At an early age, his family moved to San Francisco, then, at 17 he moved to New York City. His first cooking job was with a feature film location catering company, catering to such stars at Michael Douglas, Alan Alda, Danny Devito, and Madonna. He later took a job as assistant kitchen manager with the China Grill working under Chef Mako Tenaka, Wolfgang Puck's top chef, then moved on to a position as Executive Sous Chef at the Doral Court Hotel.In late 1990, Alex accepted a position as Executive Chef at the Ann Arbor Hilton, then traveled the country pursuing his goal of Corporate Executive Chef. He opened the Pittsburg Fish Market for the Hilton Restaurant Group as Regional Executive Chef and also created an upscale American Bistro concept opening in Chicago, IL and Alexandria, VA.In 1997 a mutual friend introduced Alex to Ari and Paul of Zingerman's. In 2001, they agreed to open a restaurant together. The Roadhouse opened September 15, 2003, and Alex has never looked back.
Media
Author Jael McHenry Discusses Her Cooking Blog And Her New Book "The Kitchen Daughter"
Join us for a delightful evening as author Jael McHenry, a talented and enthusiastic amateur cook who grew up in Michigan and Iowa, discusses her new book "The Kitchen Daughter" (recently selected by Oprah as one of this summer's Tantalizing Beach Reads). Jael will also discuss her love for cooking and her Simmer blog, where she blogs about food and cooking. A book signing will follow this event, and books will be on sale.Jael currently resides in New York, where she is a monthly pop culture columnist and Editor-in-Chief of Intrepid Media, online at intrepidmedia.com. Her work has appeared in publications such as the North American Review, Indiana Review, and the Graduate Review at American University, where she earned her MFA in Creative Writing. "The Kitchen Daughter" is her first novel.Julie & Julia meets Jodi Picoult in this poignant and delectable novel with recipes, chronicling one woman's journey of self-discovery at the stove. This lyrical novel is as delicious and joyful as a warm brownie and is also a fascinating glimpse into the unique mind of a woman struggling with Asperger's.
Media
Culinary Adventures With Eve Aronoff Of Frita Batidos
Learn about the culinary journey of Ann Arbor's own Eve Aronoff: her latest venture, Frita Batidos, her time on "Top Chef", and what's next for her. She'll even bring food to taste!Chef Eve Aronoff was born in New York and raised in East Lansing, Michigan. A graduate of Brandeis University, she attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and graduated with diplomas in French Cuisine and Wine and Spirits in 1999. Eve has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years- progressing from prep cook to line cook, from sous chef to chef de cuisine and executive chef.
Media
Culinary Historian Andrew F. Smith Discusses His New Books: "Starving the South: How the North Won the Civil War" and "Potato: A Global History"
Nationally-known culinary historian Andrew F. Smith will make a special appearance to discuss his two new books, "Starving the South: How the North Won the Civil War" and "Potato: A Global History." This event, which will include a book signing, is cosponsored by the Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor. Books will be on sale at the event.Andrew F. Smith has taught food history at the New School University in Manhattan since 1995. He is the author or editor of 19 books, including "The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America," and "The Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food" and has written more than 1000 articles, entries and papers on culinary topics. He is also the editor of the "Edible Series" published by Reaktion Books and has been regularly interviewed on radio and television, including National Public Radio, Discovery, the History Channel, and the Food Network.In "Starving the South: How the North Won the Civil War", he takes a fascinating gastronomical look at the war and its legacy. While the Civil War split the country in a way that affects race and politics to this day, it also affected the way we eat and drink. "Potato: A Global History" tells the captivating tale of an allegedly lowly vegetable that has changed - and continues to change - the world.
Media
The Art of Chocolate Making: From Cacao Bean to Bar
Mindo Chocolate Makers of Dexter, MI and Ecuador will present this fascinating and tasty program showcasing their organic and handmade chocolate. One of the few chocolate makers who start right with the bean, Mindo will talk about their bi-country chocolate making, see a demo of how cocoa powder and chocolate are made and of course give tastes, too!
Media
Incredible Art of Cake Making With Cake Artist Heather Anne Leavitt
Fans of TV shows such as Ace Of Cakes and Food Network Challenge are in for a treat. Cake artist extraordinaire Heather Anne Leavitt will make a return appearance to discuss her artistic process and demonstrate her unique cake painting. Fans of TV cooking shows will recognize her as an assistant to Courtney Clark of Cake Nouveau on several Food Network Challenges. Heather trained in sculpture at the University of Michigan, and her cakes show it.
Media
Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads Event: Yvonne Lockwood Of Michigan State University Discusses Michigan Eats: Local And Regional Foods
From muskrat dinners to Coneys, Michigan has variety of unique foods as well as many fascinating traditions surrounding them. Learn more when Yvonne R. Lockwood, Curator Emeritus of Folklife and Senior Academic Specialist Emeritus at the Michigan State University Museum, shares images and stories about local and regional foods in our state. This presentation, adapted from the Michigan Eats: Regional Culture Through Food exhibit on display last year at MSU, is held in conjunction with Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Reads 2010, which, this year focuses on the subject of Michigan and Jerry Dennis' book 'The Living Great Lakes: Searching For The Heart Of The Inland Seas.'
Media
Zingerman's Ari Weinzweig Talks Bacon
Come ready to taste bacon and ask questions when Ari Weinzweig, co-owner of Zingerman's, discusses the role premium ingredients play in making a standout dish, and celebrates his new book, 'Zingerman's Guide To Better Bacon.'In the book, Ari guides readers on a personal tour of bacon's long and curious history, and brings them right to the smokehouse door of some of his favorite bacon curers in the U.S. Celebrated bacon makers from Wisconsin to Kentucky to Connecticut are featured in this book, where readers will learn not only what makes their bacons so full of flavor, but also, just as importantly, what makes one bacon different from the next. This event will also feature a booksigning. Books will be on sale at the event.
Media
'Mrs. Charles Darwin's Recipe Book Revived and Illustrated,' Discussed By Author Weslie Janeway
While husband Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species changed the way we viewed evolution, there was another book, written by a different Darwin, that shed light on Victorian style, taste, and family life. Unknown to the general public until now, Mrs. Charles Darwin compiled a cookery notebook filled with culinary instruction and personal anecdotes about everyday life in the Darwin household. The book features facsimile representations of the original recipes, each one tested by authors Weslie Janeway and Dusha Bateson. The event is cosponsored by the Culinary Historians Of Ann Arbor. Books will be on sale and a booksigning will follow the event. The Culinary Historians will prepare several tasty samples for the audience, based on Mrs. Darwin's recipes.