Fall 2010 Event Roundup

Mar 26, 2011 by slowfood

It’s been a busy few months for our convivium, starting in November with the elaborate Ark of Taste dinner.  Fifty-five guests enjoyed the delicious four course dinner of Ark products conceived by Chef Matt Paille (Epicurean Escapes) and prepared by him and chefs Eric and Jeff. Karina Joachin assisted in the kitchen.

The dining room of the Oriental Hall in Geyserville was transformed by gorgeous giant floral arrangements and table decorations by Cappie Garrett, Aletha Soule, Stephanie Chiacos, and Shirley Heringer.

Ark products such as wild rice and pecans were packaged into handmade felt baskets by Marcia Lavine and sold—as well as auctioned off along with leftover Chinook salmon from Alaska and a weaving from Guatemala.  Proceeds will benefit our delegates to Terra Madre, 2012 in Italy.

The planning team for this wonderful event was led by Laura Mack and Marisha Zeffer, with advisory input from Elissa Rubin-Mahon.

In December we held a sale of table weavings made by our friends of AMIDI, a group of Mayan women in Pachay las Lomas, Guatemala.  The weavings were carried back to Healdsburg by a contingent of 7 women from our convivium who visited AMIDI members in their village.

Our Slow Books groups have recently explored the culinary delights of France in Lunch in Paris and A Moveable Feast. Last year we also read books by chefs, food activists, farmers, and food journalists.  Slow Books meets approximately every 6 weeks and is open to everyone who is interested in the current book selection.

The most recent event was a Pasta Making Class led by Bill Hawn on a rainy morning in February in his home overlooking the Alexander Valley.  We made fettuccini and ravioli with three sauces.

The calendar of events for 2011 is underway and includes activities such as a bison farm visit, meet-ups with local chefs, small cooking classes, and sustainable fish beach party.

Join us for our annual Meet-up and Catch-up on March 26, 3 pm at the Carriage House of the Hotel Healdsburg to learn more about events and ongoing projects.