“Today the average American spends a mere 27 minutes a day on food preparation (another four minutes cleaning up); that’s less than half the time that we spent cooking and cleaning up when Julia [Child] arrived on our television screens. It’s also less than half the time it takes to watch a single episode of … Continued
I’m on my way out this this morning to interview David Meyers, of Resistance Coffee fame. David is an energetic — and presumably well-caffeinated — anarchist and activist, a lynchpin of Chicago’s growing coffee subculture. His coffee is rich and chocolatey. And, he delivers. I’m hopefully writing something up for the Reader, for a few weeks … Continued
Sula has the scoop. I guess institutional affiliation still counts for something in the press, as Laurino’s office has yet to return my phone call. Interestingly, in a note Mike forwarded me from a Laurino staffer publicist representing Laurino’s office, the resolution is called the “Community Garden Resolution.” Which may prove some sort of point about … Continued
Local food-policy wonks were scratching their heads this weekend at a New York Times report that the City Council has passed a “Green Food Resolution.” The news, it turned out, was premature — the nonbinding resolution, introduced by 39th ward alderman Margaret Laurino — hasn’t passed, it’s just in committee. But its provenance is still sort … Continued
Hungry Mag‘s Mike Nagrant, whose name is being bandied about as a longshot replacement for Frank Bruni, discovers Death’s Door.
I’ve been curious about Hull-House’s ongoing Re-Thinking Soup project ever since I heard about it this winter — but it wasn’t till they paired it with the Jam-Off that I managed to get moving. And you know what? It was pretty great. The organizers of the soup lunch and other endeavors, like a recent workshop on … Continued
[OK this may be the excuse I need to go check out the Hull-House soup event. I’m just reposting the announcement in full from the Advocates for Urban Agriculture Google group, as they seem to not have updated their web site in a while.] Calling all home preservationists, chefs, and lovers of jam! Summer Jam Off … Continued
It seems lately that everyone in town is busy blogging about fruits and vegetables, green roofs and gardens. Even Mayor Daley is getting in on the action. And they’re doing such a good job of it that I am embarrassed to add to the noise. But, hey! Check out these tomatoes! These luscious heirloom Stupices (“Stupix”? “Stupii”?) are … Continued
My review of Nightwood now out in the Reader. This wasn’t as hard as the Publican blurb, but it was close. There’s such a temptation, in assessing ridiculously high-profile spots like this, to be contrarian, to pick at every nit. No writer wants to be seen as a sheep, or a shill. And yet — … Continued
The worms have died. As has the kombucha. Now, kombucha mothers are like zucchini — some people can’t give ’em away fast enough. So while I am deflated by this failure at yet another project dubbed “idiot-proof” (and don’t even talk to me about no-knead bread) I’m pretty sure I can start over and recoup … Continued