Food Book Fair

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Many days I have to pinch myself to make sure it's all real that I am here and living well and happy in New York City. How lucky am I to live in this place with such a bounty of opportunities. Especially with an abundance of food culture. Not only are there countless restaurants of innumerable cuisines, but there are a large, growing number of food artisans and specialty shops. There are also many food conferences. Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending one of the days of the Food Book Fair, held at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg.

Straight from the website, The Food Book Fair was "the first ever event bringing together food publications from around the world alongside a dynamic set of events celebrating food writing, reading, and activism." There was a small bookshop set up in the lobby of the hotel filled with cookbooks and food publications, along with a table set up for book signings. Then there were series of panels occurring all weekend long with food personalities discussing everything from food and science to food and art to food and technology. I was able to attend three of the panels. The first discussed food studies with four food studies professors/teachers. This was a very interesting discussion, but unfortunately it covered such a broad spectrum of topics that I never felt like we were able to delve in as deep as I would have liked on any of them. I left feeling intrigued and excited, but wanting more.

Next up I sat in on a conversation with April Bloomfield and the co-author of her new cookbook, A Girl and Her Pig, JJ Goode. This was such a great talk about how these two worked together to write a book that was truly from April's voice and heart. I was excited about the cookbook before, but once the panel was over I really couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And, thanks to the bookshop, I didn't have to! Not only could I pick up a copy of the book, but I also got the opportunity to meet April and JJ and have a short chat while they signed it for me. Looking forward to spending lots of time curled up with this one!

The final panel of the day featured Harold McGee (author of On Food and Cooking) and Maxime Bilet (co-author of the tome Modernist Cuisine) discussing food, science, and modern gastronomy. This is another conversation that I wish could have gone on much longer. How can you discuss all of this plus the process of putting together Modernist Cuisine in just one hour! I was definitely disappointed to not get more time to listen to Mr. McGee speak but grateful for the short opportunity, as well as the chance to also get his autograph in my own copy of On Food and Cooking.

Overall I felt like I had an inspiring, thought-provoking day in my food life. And on top of it all, I was in Williamsburg on a Sunday which meant some time wandering around the Brooklyn Flea (and all of the yummy food vendors), an afternoon snack at Bakeri, and dinner at Marlow and Sons. Not a bad way to end the weekend!