Northwest Bookfest

[heyjude]

At MsRamsey's request and thanks for asking, I'm reminding you all about NW bookfest on 10/19 and 10/20 out at Sandpoint. This is a new location, but there will be shuttle buses from assorted venues. There is a .org web site which is not always user friendly, but as always there will be printed programs in The Seattle Times and elsewhere. There are some activities for everyone including the food obsessed. Joyce Goldstein of Square One fame, prolific cookbook author Norman Kolpas, and Alton Brown are among our draws. I'm still setting up a cookbook review panel. Please come and be a good audience-ask lots of questions. See you there.

[mamster]

The URL is http://www.nwbookfest.org/.

[Blue Heron]

Bringing this one to the top again. When will Alton Brown be there? I will have to read the web site to glean any info...

Also, don't forget, the Wild Mushroom Show is also going on out there at the same location.

[heyjude]

I went to all the cooking stage presentations and was happy with the professional demeanor and absence of prima donnas. The whole event was successful depending what one was expecting. It's impossible not to miss some readings because of overlaps, there are not enough bargains and my feet are still cold from the cement floor, but there was something for anyone who reads. On the James Beard stage, the chefs and authors all seemed disappointed that they couldn't serve their creations as did their audience. Maurizio Mazzon of Il Fornaiao made gnocchi and a pasta dish. Cynthia Nims was very funny and spontaneous. Alton Brown is a one man circus and pied pipered Norman Kolpas' audience away to the book signing area. On Sunday, Joyce Goldstein was the superstar for a standing room only crowd. Her book, Saffron Shores, had to be recalled for reprinting because the ink/paper smelled so bad it couldn't be kept indoors. She signed book plates to put in the new edition. The cookbook review panel which had to be put together late because of a cancellation, turned out to be lively and could repeat next year. I'll be involved again and invite you to join me.

[tsquare]

Since it was a short thread, I'm bringing it up for this year - 2003. They are charging ($10 or $15 for a two-day pass) to attend rather than asking for donations this year. October 18 & 19, Sandpoint again. There is a cooking stage - heyjude - are you involved and will there be cooking this year?

The website isn't complete, but so far it looks like mostly locals including:

Charles Ramsayer from Ray's Boathouse (and the cookbook)

Braiden Rex-Johnson and the updated Pike Place Market Cookbook

Tom Douglas - the new Big Dinners Cookbook (is that the correct title?)

Kirstin Dixon - Alaskan wilderness cuisine (but fancy?)

Cookbook review panel by local book buyers

and

Rick Rodgers - The Carefree Cook

Chris Prosperi - Wife of the Chef

also caught Bruce Schneider's name - but is he talking code or food?

[DRColby]

[/Also, don't forget, the Wild Mushroom Show is also going on out there at the same locationQUOTE]

Ah, yes, the mushroom show.... if as in the past the will be running a wild mushroom cooking and tasting exhibit. There shuld also be some pretty good chefs from around the Sound as well as club members who do some great dishes.

The only problem might be a shortage of cooking materials.... I have been out twice since the rains started and only found a handfull of chantrelles. Very dry.

dave

[mamster]

I heard Tom D had a conflict and had to cancel. His new book is called Tom's Big Dinners. Bruce Schneier has a new book on security tradeoffs (Beyond Fear--it's good) and I wager he'll be talking about that.

I was on a panel with Chris Prosperi once and he's fun--get him talking about how to spot a restaurant critic.

[girl chow]

I heard Tom D had a conflict and had to cancel. His new book is called Tom's Big Dinners.

I just had a chance to scope out his new book (thanks to a friend). The intro is captivating and tells a very textured story about the big dinners he enjoyed as a kid growing up with a giganto family. It's a great guide for people who really like to entertain. I'm already trying to figure out who I can invite over to make the "Chinook Salmon Roast" dinner menu.

The book basically is separated into menus for "big dinner parties," complete with side dish suggestions and outstanding wine notes. I'm loving the book. It's too bad he won't be at Bookfest, I'd love to sit in on his session. Bummer.

[heyjude]

There will be cooking on the Beard Stage on Saturday. Sunday, there will be presentations without cooking. I have been involved, but with all the changes, everything is new to everyone. I will be in Massachusetts on the 18th and 19th so I hope you will go and report back to me. Saturday's authors include those listed by tsquare, but Charles Ramsayer is also unable to be there. Eric Gower, author of The Breakaway Japanese kitchen is making 3 recipes. On Sunday, Braiden Rex-Johnson and Lisa Shara Hall will be discussing Northwest food and wine trends. Have fun.

[tsquare]

I went. Enjoyed the lack of crowds at the whole festival. The cooking stage was not too exciting this year. Never saw the crowds like last year for Alton. Still ended up smelling like the food booths adjacent. Still tortured by the unforgiving folding chairs.

Saturday:

Eric Gower was the best presenter I saw. His recipes (and personality) are interesting, his premise, questionable. Experimentation with traditional Japanese ingredients used in "brighter, contemporary ways". (Not really a quote.)

Kirstin Dixon was done in 1/2 hour - and wasn't tolerable to watch.

Missed Rick Rodgers (there were other presentations of interst going on)

Chris Prosperi was giggly nervous (?), but made, and served, crab cocktails - a riff on bloody mary's with plenty of vodka and Maryland crab he smuggled in.

Sunday:

The Cookbook review panel was okay, not terrribly exciting. A noticable lack of ethnic or pastry recommendations.

Cynthia Nims is a fast talker. Not a great public reader.

Lisa Shara Hall was really interesting. Her book is beautiful, but pricy at $40. Nice present material with a bottle of vino. She exudes authority and competence in the best way.

Braiden Rex-Johnson, queen of the finger quotes. Someone could do her a favor and break her of that habit. To me, she sounded very self serving. It was difficult to take her seriously as a writer or editor. That said, I'll admit I own one of her books!

That's all I caught, at the Beard Stage.

[tsquare]

I heard Tom D had a conflict and had to cancel. His new book is called Tom's Big Dinners.

I just had a chance to scope out his new book (thanks to a friend). The intro is captivating and tells a very textured story about the big dinners he enjoyed as a kid growing up with a giganto family. It's a great guide for people who really like to entertain. I'm already trying to figure out who I can invite over to make the "Chinook Salmon Roast" dinner menu.

No one bit - this sounds like an open invitation to me! Or a good set-up for the interest expressed in a bunch of people cooking together?