Omnivore Atlanta

Lambert Bridge Winery dinner at the Shed at Glenwood, Nov. 17, The winery will bring a five-course meal and wine pairings to the Shed at Glenwood. The main course will include wild boar ragout, winter vegetables and yukon gold potatoes. Cost $85 per person. 475 Bill Kennedy Way. 404-835-4363. www.theshedatglenwood.com.

Slow Food Atlanta presents a “slow taste of Tuscany,” Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7 p.m. at Valenza and La Pietra Cucina. A celebration taking place across America of slow food and Douglas Gayeton’s new book Slow: Life in a Tuscan Town. $120 all-inclusive.

Atlanta Wine School’s For Beginners Only, Nov. 19, For the wine novice who is looking to expand their knowledge. The course is meant to expand wine vocabulary, learning what goes best with what foods and what to choose at a restaurant. You will also learn about tasting as you sample several wines. The class cost $50 per person and begins at 7 pm. 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road. 770-668-0435. www.atlantawineschool.com.

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If you’re a “locavore” or are otherwise interested in the slow, simple, locally produced food movement, you should definitely read Salon.com’s interview with Alice Waters of Chez Panisse, in Berkeley, Calif. It strikes a good balance between advocating for organic, locally produced, cruelty-free, nonprocessed shopping and cooking, and acknowledging that such an approach can require more time and money than many people have — or, Waters would probably counter, think they have.

For reading enjoyment that won’t make you feel guilty, Cracked.com has an article on “The Six Most Terrifying Foods in the World.” The writer emphasizes snarky attitude more than culinary information, but the faux ads meant to sell the products for trendy American consumers are hilarious. (Ex.: packaging “Pacha,” or Iraqi goat head, as an energy drink called “Ahead.”)

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The lovely Barbara Kingsolver is coming to Emory to speak about her latest book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

The nonfiction book describes a year in which Kingsolver and her family lived on a Southern Appalachian farm, eating only food that they grew themselves (or raised, in the case of animals), or which was grown by local farmers, preferably those they knew personally. The stories that result, and Kingsolver’s palpable passion on the subject, are an inspiration to buy and eat local and seasonal food, or to at least try. The benefits are not only for environmental reasons, but for the enrichment buying locally can bring to your taste buds and to your community.

According to an article in the Emory Report, Kingsolver agreed to the presentation at Emory after learning about the university’s goal of 75 percent of food served on campus to come from local and/or sustainable  growers by the year 2015. A committee from Emory’s office of sustainability and sustainable food initiatives is currently making food-buying guidelines for campus facilities, touching on issues including labor, fair trade, and fair treatment of animals. Students will also be included in a campus sustainability summit on food to help make suggestions for Emory’s food services.

Kingsolver is a wonderful author and a great speaker, so the event is sure to fill up fast. I saw Kingsolver speak about her book to a packed auditorium of middle-aged women in Sonoma, Calif., during a visit home. Yet I, a sprightly young college student, thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the book, proving issues like these can transcend generational gaps. You can read my blog post about her talk here.

Kingsolver and her husband, Steven Hopp, will speak at the Glenn Auditorium (1660 N. Decatur Road) at Emory on Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a book signing at the Carlos Museum. The event is free and open to the public but tickets are required in advance. Tickets are available at the Dobbs University Center and the Schwartz Center box office. For more information, contact Jim Wynn at 404-727-6722.

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