Presented by
Alexa Ganakos
Author, “Greektown Chicago: Its History-Its Recipes”

Let’s give a rousing “Opa!” as we welcome Alexa Ganakos who will take us on an armchair tour of Chicago’s Greektown. A fountainhead of Greek culture, Ms. Ganakos will showcase her beloved community in a multimedia presentation that reveals the soul of this vibrant Chicago treasure.  Continue reading →

Presented by
Robin Mather Jenkins
Author, and Food Writer, Chicago Tribune

Most of us have heard of the great literary food icon, M.F.K. Fisher. But long before Ms. Fisher, there was another literary food master, Della Lutes. Born in 1872 in Jackson, Michigan, Ms. Lutes relied on her Michigan roots to become one of the most widely read cookbook authors of her time. Continue reading →

Conducted by
Matthew Nielsen, Chief Operations Officer

Nielsen-Massey Vanillas,
1550 Shields Drive
Waukegan, IL 60085-8307

In 2005, Camilla Nielsen visited Culinary Historians to brief us on the history of vanilla, and about the people and countries that produce vanilla.  Camilla invited us to tour the Nielsen-Massey Vanilla factory at the able direction of her son Matthew.  Continue reading →

presented by
Patricia Wells
Journalist, Author and Teacher

Patricia Wells is considered among the most prominent American authorities on French food. For more than 20 years, she has divided her time between Paris and Chanteduc, her farmhouse in northern Provence. Continue reading →

Presented by
Anne Willan
Author, TV-host and proprietor of
La Varenne Cooking School, Burgundy, France

We’re not talking about the foods of our grandparents today; how about the dishes of our great, great grandparents–and long before them? Come join us as Anne Willan, one of the worlds most respected culinary authorities dishes out the joys and horrors of ancient recipes–how some work beautifully in a modern kitchen, while others, perhaps should be prepared solely for our enemies. Continue reading →