Presented by
Francois de Melogue
Chef, Author

He may be a native Chicagoan, but no one personifies French cooking more than Chef Francois de Melogue. And he’s here to share his love of the south of France and its Provencal cooking and history with us. Continue reading →

Presented by
Doug Seibold
President and Publisher,
Agate Publishing, Inc.

You’d be amazed at how many excellent cookbooks have been published right here in the Chicago area. And while Chicago may be known as a gastronomic hub, our city is not chopped liver when it comes to local culinary luminaries getting their savory works published. Continue reading →

June is National Soul Food Month and this year marks the 15th annual celebration of the heritage and foodways of African Americans and peoples from the African diaspora. The yearly recognition grew out of the “Grits and Green Conferences” developed and produced by the Culinary Historians of Chicago in 2000 and 2001.

In working on the conference committee with CHC, member Charla Draper realized this was a food we needed to celebrate. In 2001 National Soul Food Month appeared for the first time in Chases’ Annual Calendar of Events. The entry in Chases’ Calendar reads:

National Soul food Month, celebrating the heritage and history of the foods and foodways of African Americans and peoples from the African diaspora. The culinary contributions of this group had an indelible impact on the American menu.

In reflecting on this addition to the food calendar fifteen years ago, Draper said “My goal is to keep soul food on the table. It is an important element in the rich culture and heritage of peoples from the African diaspora.”

When you Google the term soul food, more than 12 million entries pop-up –those include food, recipes, books, blogs, music, and films. Throughout the month join friends to enjoy good food, knowledge and more in celebration of National Soul Food Month.

Presented by
Andrew F. Smith
Historian, Teacher, Author

For better and worse, fast food is the most pervasive culinary trend of our time.  It has spawned an industry that has changed eating, the most fundamental of human activities. Continue reading →

The World’s Oldest Continuously Operating Nursery has Quite a Tale

Presented by
Karen Mitcham-Stoeckley
Chef, Author, Restaurateur

The oldest fruit-tree nursery in the world is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. The Missouri-based company, Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards, was founded in 1816 by James Hart Stark, a young Kentucky pioneer, who homesteaded on the shores of the Mississippi. Continue reading →