Slow Food DC Ark celebration

(from the Slow Food DC convivium):

Don’t forget to sign on for what’s shaping up to be our first ever Slow Food ARK celebration. Lots of friends of Slow Food will be joining us to learn more about the Native Sweet Sisters, (pawpaw, persimmon and strawberry). Also attending; Neal Peterson and Jim Davis (growers of pawpaw); Jerry Lehman, Director of the largest persimmon farm in the US; Dr. Richard Uva, Cornell University, specialist in the another sweet sister, the Beach Plum; Richard Hetzler; executive chef of Mitsitam Café at the National Museum of the American Indian; Rebecca Adamson, Founder of First Nations; and our good friend Nora Poullion.

We’ll learn about fruit cultivation, the lore of these fruits, experience some traditional and modern dishes that salute these native fruits.

Full posting follows:

We are delighted to invite you to a celebratory Thanksgiving brunch at Majestic Cafe on Sunday, November 6 to launch the Three Sweet Sisters: The American persimmon, pawpaw, and strawberry…. all recently boarded on the Slow Food Ark of Taste. Come taste these three delightful foods which are essential to American history and heirloom cookery. Although the Three Sisters of N/native culture–corn, beans, and squash- have been given much attention, First Fruits such as the Three Sweet Sisters are making new waves in heritage cuisine, and Slow Food is happy to be a part of this culinary renewal.

Chef Joe Raffa of Majestic Cafe (Morrison-Clark Inn, Equinox, and Cafe Atlantico trained at L’Academie de Cuisine and brings his culinary expertise to a unique menu, designed for this special occasion, that features N/ative foods: persimmon, pawpaw, corn, black walnuts, maple, greens, shagbark hickory, duck, chilies, and spicebush berries.

Guests will also have the opportunity to try rare Persimmon brandy and pawpaw wine from the Ohio River Valley.

Join us to launch this exciting experience of the Slow Food Ark with what will prove to be a unique three-course meal especially designed for this occasion.

Appetizer
Pawpaw glazed shrimp with corn and chili

Main Course
Confit of persimmon duck on polenta with microgreens

Dessert
Persimmon Flan with lemon syrup and cream
Black Walnut Tart with Pawpaw Ice Cream

Special guests will offer presentations about Slow Food Presidia work and our new culinary adventure. In addition to experiencing this unique menu, guests will receive a copy of a Persimmon Cookbook; Three Sweet Sisters information booklets with recipes:a gift bag of handmade delicacies using N/native foods. (Persimmon truffles anyone?)

Date:
Sunday, November 6, 10:30 AM

Place:
Majestic Cafe
911 King Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
(703) 548-6681

Cost:
$45.00 for Slow Food members
$50.00 for non-members

Deadline:
Please respond by October 30.

Mail checks to:
Marsha Weiner
3686 King Street
Alexandria, VA. 22302

Upon receipt of your checks, you will receive an email confirmation.

For more information, please contact:
Katherine Dillon
(301) 299-0651

as is our standard practice; members can bring one guest at member rate, all other guests at non-member rate; there are no refunds but reservations are transferable, we just ask to be informed as to who is coming your stead

Vintage Virginia Apples’ Annual Apple Harvest Festival and Slow Food Tasting Workshop

(From the Slow Food Old Dominion convivium):

Vintage Virginia Apples’ Annual Apple Harvest Festival and Slow Food Tasting Workshop
November 5, 10am-5pm, Rural Ridge Orchard, North Garden Virginia

Vintage Virginia Apples’ Annual Apple Harvest Festival expands this year to include a Slow Food Tasting Workshop where local food growers present a variety of grass fed meats, herbs and vegetables, and locally produced foods and food products.

One of the major goals of Slow Food International, USA and the local Old Dominion Convivium is to link producers with consumers. Slow Food has organized an event in collaboration with Vintage Virginia Apples that celebrates and promotes producers who grow delicious foods in ecologically friendly ways. In addition to those who produce USDA grass fed meats—beef, lamb, ostrich, pork, bison and goat–there will be other producers of local food products sharing their knowledge of fruits and vegetables available locally. Though the local growing season is nearly over, there are still fresh vegetables and herbs to enliven daily menus.

Seminars scheduled for 11am, 12:30 pm and 2pm will include Pairing Cheese and Apples with Kate Collier, owner of Feast, a leading expert in the world of cheeses and Tom Burford, orchardist and nursery consultant; a presentation on Winter Salad Gardens by botanist, Margaret Shelton and woman farmer, Ramona Huff, woman farmer will speak on Advantages of Heritage Breeds and Grass Fed Meats.

Chef Howie Velie of Magnolia Restaurant, a member of Slow Food, will be on hand talking about incorporating locally grown and seasonal foods into daily menus. The majority of the exhibitors are experienced growers eager to share their knowledge and provide product samples through out the day long festival. The Tasting Workshop is a hallmark activity of the Old Dominion Convivium that brought you two cheese festivals and an apple festival in 2003 and 2004, several Food and Film events and a Farm Tour in 2005.

Vintage Virginia Apple Harvest Festival is the place to learn about apple growing, tree selection and planting, apple cider and apple butter making. It is an apple tasting event unequaled in this area, hosted by the Shelton family. For an extensive look inside this family apple operation go to www.vintagevirginiaapples.com. The Cove Garden Ruritans partner with Vintage Virginia Apples each year making Brunswick stew, apple butter, providing hayrides, featuring history and craft displays demonstrating Southern Albemarle’s agricultural heritage and holding a bake sale.

These activities are provided by folks who practice sound principals of biodiversity, care about the future of our food supply and feel a responsibility to share their enthusiasm and commitment for locally grown fresh food with you. This event is presented free of charge to the public.

Rural Ridge Farm is located on Route 29 South of Charlottesville in North Garden, Virginia. From Charlottesville, 8 miles south of I-64. From the south, .8 miles north of the Crossroads Store (Route 692) See website for map www.vintagevirginiaapples.com.