Chicago Gourmet 2009

It was my first year attending the Chicago Gourmet Food Festival and it was wonderful. The food was fabulous. At first I thought there wasn't enough to eat, but two hours later, I was stuffed to the gills and with some of the best food available. At times the lines were long, but the chefs did a nice job in getting people through quickly, but also making time to talk about the food.

I had octopus for the first time (outside of small bites in sushi). This is the Blueprint restaurant cooking Italian Grilled Octopus salad with fresh cranberry beans. This was just a wonderful dish. They explained that the octopus is braised for 3 hours and then grilled. Since they couldn't bring their standard gas grill to the festival, they bought this cast iron grill pan at Crate and Barrel for $32.95 Yeah, it's on my must haves list now or if you're one of my kids, this would make a great gift.

I loved the organic and locavore section and the gazpacho was out of this world. Bright flavors that exploded in your mouth. Can't think of a better version. The cooking seminars were very nicely done and learned more about grass fed beef than I would have every guessed possible. Local personalities were very entertaining, but down to earth. What I love most about Chicago. It's real.

And there was plenty to drink. The wine was wonderful and not just inexpensive stuff, but really nice things and lots to choose from. It was great trying different Malbecs and California cabernets to see the difference. And the cocktails, oh my. Over the top drinks with rock candy garnishes, and smooth whiskey and a wonderful vodka and pear cocktail that was delicious with the duck and pear dish I was tasting. Truly a job well done.

The organizers were everywhere and did a great job managing the event. Nice job at getting the weather to cooperate as well. I flew in early in the day on Sunday for business meetings on Monday to go to the Chicago Gourmet Food Fest and it was well worth the time.

Joey's Downtown Lima, Ohio

Hot dogs may not be on your list of gourmet food, but you may give them a second chance after eating one of Joey's gourmet hot dogs. Located in downtown Lima, Ohio, Joey's has over a dozen different dogs. So far the Texas and Slaw dog are my favorite beside the coney cheese dog. These are nice all beef franks on soft poppyseed buns.

This was a great lunch on the way to Kid's Fun Fest with our grandson Luke, but you don't need wait until you can go with a kid to try one of these. Go ahead and indulge your inner child and give one a try.

Slow Food USA

A few weeks ago, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and joined Slow Food USA. I had heard bits and pieces about what they do over the years, noticed their logo, viewed blogs of events around the country and the world, but had never been to their web site. I'm not sure what about that particular day that was the catalyst for visiting, but once there, I saw that they shared the same concerns, interests and values that I feel for food and its part in our lives.

Our lives are busy and there are lots of causes, but this one goes to the root of each of our everyday lives. None of use can sustain ourselves or our families without food that is healthful and Slow Food's mission is one that we will all benefit from. Clean, fresh, and fair food.

My concern for healthy food started in the early 1970's, as a teen, when my brother was diagnosed with ADHD. Then it was a new diagnosis and he was enrolled in a study at Standford that I had to drive him to each week (my mom still doesn't drive). The doctor's recommended that he avoid food with preservatives. Since I cooked many of the family meals, reading labels and knowing what was in our food took on a special meaning and a top priority.

Over the years, as I raised my own family (two girls and two boys), while maintaining a career, it has been important for me to create healthy meals, but relying on our food production systems to grow and sell healthy foods has become more challenging than avoiding the snack foods and sugary, chemically, cereals of my children's early cartoon show-influenced days.

If you too have concerns, please check out Slow Foods and the School Lunch program efforts to bring back real food to our schools and children. The schools had real food when I was kid and when my children were in grade school. I believe my grandchildren and your children deserve to have real food at school too. It is possible and some schools are still doing it now and they are saving money as well as providing good, healthy food, but we must do our part too by helping kids learn that healthy food tastes good.

My children were in their twenties before they learned they were deprived of Hamburger Helper. That is my badge of honor. It hasn't always been easy, but as I look back, they were worth it.