An Evening with former editor in chief of Gourmet Magazine, New York Times Food Critic and Author, Ruth Reichl

Ok, I live in Bend, Oregon.....80,000 people (up from the 17,000 when I moved here in 1979) It didn't really become a "city" in my mind till Fred Meyer opened in the early 90's.......the International Airport is in the next city over and it takes a minimum of 2 flights just to get out of here. We have always been small town America.

Things are DIFFERENT here now.  People come to visit us and share their lives with our community. Famous people, interesting people, people in the know people.  We had Khaled Hosseini (author of THE KITE RUNNER) here BEFORE his book was a number one best seller.  Kathryn Stockett, was here speaking to a large audience at our locally renovated "Tower Theater" where she announced that evening,  she had just signed the deal to make her book into a movie "THE HELP".  Dr. Andrew Weil, MD was here two weeks ago, speaking to a large sold out audience on wellness!  We DO things here, great things.

Last night was no exception, it was BIG!

We happen to have an amazing Community College with an all new multi million dollar Culinary Program, it's truly a state of the art, amazing building with world renown instructors.  "Elevation" is the dining experience you'll never forget,! People here like to eat.  People here like to cook.  Most of all people here love to support their community!
 http://culinary.cocc.edu/

So last night, with support from many local businesses and also including the University of Oregon Journalism and Communications department, the well known New York Times food critic, former editor-in-chief of Gourmet magazine, recipient of six James Beard Awards and author RUTH REICHL came to town as a benefit for the Cascade Culinary Institute.

I was lucky enough to secure a ticket!

Ruth entertained us with her vast knowledge on how the American food culture is changing.  Restaurants are changing.  It's not uncommon to find a restaurant that grows it's own produce, makes it's own wine and raises it's own meat.... Farmers markets are popping up all over (Bend is lucky enough to have one in the summer two times a week!).  Customers are wanting quality, not quantity from their dining experience.  Grocery stores are adding more organic locally grown goods.  Our neighbors are growing vegetables and raising chickens, yes, things are changing.

I loved it!  I've loved Ruth's books.....


 

and now my copies are personally autographed by an amazing author!  If you desire a great read, both of these books are high on my list! I hope you will enjoy them too!