1999

China Boy - Chinatown, Washington, DC
China Boy provides its rice noodles to every major Asian restaurant in the area. We watched them prepare a traditional slurry and then enjoyed a luncheon prepared for us on site.

Teatro Goldoni - K Street
Washington, DC. Chef Fabrizio led us in the slow process of making an asparagus risotto in his new, theatrical restaurant. We then enjoyed a luncheon prepared for us on site.

Moctec Tortilla Factory - Bladensberg, MD
The owner and founder of Moctec walked us through his plant that makes real corn tortillas and chips. We saw their process for grinding the corn that gives Moctec’s chips a memorable flavor. Moctec prepares chips under their own brand, as well as some exclusive private label clients.

American Farmland Trust at Calyces' - Georgetown, Washington, DC
Bernie Prince discussed the work of AFT and then led us through the “Apple and Planet Earth” demonstration. The following year we brought the Apple demonstration to the World Wide Web.

2000

Matisse Restaurant - Washington, DC
Chef Fritz Siegfried showed us some classic French and Swiss cooking techniques, then served us venison and baked apple strudel for dessert.

Dim Sum demonstration in Silver Spring , MD
We were led in a hands-on demonstration in rolling dim sum and then enjoyed multiple dishes.

Tea/Chado class at Urasenke - Mclean, VA
We joined the ambassadors of the Urasenke tradition of tea Austin Babcock and Kathy Lyons in their traditional tearoom. They demonstrated a traditional tea and put us through the procedures. Various members later signed up for a series of tea classes.

Convivium meeting with CHOW lecture at Dunkle's house - Mclean, VA
We met a representative of Culinary Historians of Washington. This marked the beginning of a relationship that continues to today.

Carlo Petrini talk with dinner at Barolo - Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini, and Slow Food President Patrick Martins addressed a large and enthusiastic crowd, inaugurating Slow Food in the nation’s capital.

Herb lecture at National Arboretum - Northeast Washington, DC
Master herbalist and archivist James Adams gave us a tour of the herb garden on site of the National Arboretum.

Bread Line - Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC
Baker Mark Furstenburg, the found of Marvelous Market, and now owner of Bread Line, taught a master class in breadbaking.

Visit to Majestic Cafe during its construction - Alexandria, VA
Celebrated and “slow” chef Susan Lindeborg took us through the process of restoring the Majestic Cafe in Old Town Alexandria. We learned, first hand, of the vagaries of opening a quality restaurant, and the spirit and vision it takes to make it happen!

Entotto - Georgetown
Chef and owner opened her kitchen to teach class on traditional Ethiopian cooking with lunch afterwards. We got especially captured by their homemade mustard, which we then purchased for holiday gifts.

Patrick Martins at L'Acadamie de Cuisine - Gaithersburg MD
Slow Food president Patrick Martins shared with members his graduate thesis on the dining habits of Renaissance France and England.

Distributed Ethiopian mustard as holiday gifts from Entoto

2001

Launch of "interactive apple" at American Farmland Trust dinner at Nora's - Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
Chef Nora Pouillon opened the doors of her restaurant in this presentation of American Farmland Trust, where we previewed the interactive version of  Apple as Planet Earth and invited farmers as guests.

Garret Oliver from Brooklyn Brewery at historic Doolittle House - Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Garrett Oliver led us in a terrific pairing of Brooklyn brews and cheeses. Whole Foods assisted us in providing cheese of Oliver’s choice.

Marcel's - Washington, DC
Chef Robert Weidmaier demonstrated the classic Belgian dish carbonnade and served us dinner with wine.

Greenwood with talk by cookbook author Lisa Yockelson- Cleveland Park
Lecture on chocolate tasting to honor the publication of Yockelson’s book, Baking by Flavor, with dinner.

Dawn Cherry Blossom Tea with Urasenke at the Tidal Basin - Washington, DC
At the Tidal Basin, ambassadors of Urasenke Tea tradition led us in a celebration of the cherry blossoms that line the basin. The prepared a monk’s breakfast followed by a traditional tea and sweets.

Sushi-Ko - Glover Park, Washington, DC
Hands-on rolling of sushi at Washington DC’s first ever sushi restaurant with sushi dinner aftwards.

Sushi dinner reprise at Sushi-Ko - Glover Park, Washington, DC
Our first repeat, due to popular demand!

Dupont Farmer's market, peach, and favorite farmer day - Dupont Circle
Slow Food had an information day at the Dupont Market passing out samples of various peach concoctions made by members with pictures of customers and their favorite farmer.

Ligurian Italian dinner at Vigorelli's - Cleveland Park
Chef Elizabeth Bright prepared a multicourse traditional Ligurian dinner featuring the ingredients and wines of the Liguarian region of Italy.

Georgetown Farms Bison Ranch - Northern VA, with bison burger picnic
We learned about the benefits of bison meat and were walked through the process of harvesting these magnificent animals. We then enjoyed a bison burger picnic augmented by relishes and sides brought by members.

Apple picking at Catoctin Orchards - Thurmont, MD
After September 11 we spent a morning in the beautiful Catoctin orchards amongst various types of apples, with picnic afterwards.

Beer and Philosophy at Brickskeller - Dupont Circle, Washington DC
Philosophy professor of Catholic University gave us  a lesson in the patron philosopher of Slow Food Epicures.

Mushroom foray in Rock Creek Park with local Mushroom Society

Wine dinner at Etrusco - Dupont Circle
Gary Gondleman orchestrated a multicourse meal, each course paired with a “slow” wine.

Cheese-tasting with Maximillian at L’Academie de Cuisine - Bethesda
Former manager of Artesinal restaurant taught us how to “read a cheese.”

La Cuisine - Alexandria, Va
Kitchen store shopping with advice on how to select wares and goods for the kitchen, followed by lunch at Majestic Café.

2002

Brickskellar
Specialty beer-tasting

The Islander
Trinidadian lunch prepared by Addie Green with discussion of carnivale.

Dawn Cherry Blossom Tea at the Tidal Basin with Urasenke

Tour of Route 11 Potato Chip factory - Northern, VA

Tour of Asian markets at Eden Center and Burmese lunch at Myanmar Restaurant
Burmese guide Than Than Yi walked members through Eden Market and discussed typical Burmese cooking over lunch at Myanmar restaurant

Youth Garden Day at the National Arboretum - Washington, DC
Slow Food members hosted a three-part event with hands-on cooking, art and drama workshops, with lunch catered by Clyde’s restaurant group.

Sustainable Dairy Farming and Cheese at Oak Grove Farm - Marshall, VA

Sake tasting at Sushi-Ko - Glover Park, Washington, DC

Fundraiser at Tosca for FRESHFARM markets
Slow Food cohosted this first annual event to raise money for and awareness of the farmers’ markets being established and supported by Freshfarm Markets leaders Ann Yonkers and Bernie Prince.

Jaleo - Bethesda, MD
Award-winning Spanish chef prepared a traditional Andalucian dinner and explained the ingredients and with talk by Jose Andres

2003

Tea-tasting with tea expert at member’s home
Members John Sherburne and Sarah Crovitz offered dim-sum snacks to accompany discussion and tea tasting.

Hands-on chocolate making class with Cynthia Efremoff - American University, Washington, DC
Cynthia gave members a lecture on the art of chocolate-making and then led a lcass on dipping, rolling, and mixing in the kitchen at American U.

Chinese New Year banquet at Yanÿu Restaurant
Vanessa Lim and Jesse Yan prepared a typical Chinese New Year banquet with talk by Vanessa on the symbolism of the foods served

Happy Unbirthday Party
Shirley Cherkasky of ChoW gave a talk about the history of birthday cakes with special cakes provided by CakeLove. Event held at Nora’s.

Slow Food-sponsored fundraiser for Washington Youth Garden held at Galileo
Guest chef Scott Peacock prepared a Southern meal in the kitchens of Galileo restaurant to raise money and awareness for WYG and to roll out his Southern cookbook.

Traditional Lebanese Eggplant Dinner
Held at Lebanese Taverna, a multicourse meal with traditional Lebanese cooking, with talk and recipe handouts.

Guest lecture from Chestnut Society with potluck dinner at home of Claudia and Jack Barnett

Beer dinner with Garrett Oliver featuring his new book, Brewmaster's Table. A multicourse meal each course prepared and paired with a different Brooklyn Brew.

Slow Food Day at Freshfarm market
Coleaders distributed samples of local raw milk cheeses and handed out brochures about Slow Food

Farm dinner at Clyde's at Tower Oaks
Chefs at the restaurant prepared a multicourse meal with guest speakers CiCi Williamson discussing Virginia farms and Bernie Prince making the apple presentation.

National fundraiser BBQ at Circle D Ranch - Olney, MD
A joint-sponsored event between Washington and Baltimore convivia with an apple-pie making contest, North Carolina barbecue and sides prepared by cooks from Through the Kitchen Door

CHoW event at Gunston Hall
Slow Food members were included in the tour of Gunston Hall and the exhibition of 18^th-century cooking over open fires.

Fundraiser for FRESHFarm Markets at Tosca
Second annual event open to the public with numerous local chefs collaborating to present a multicourse farm meal with auction

Slow Mauritian dinner at the home of Joanne Clapper
Food prepared by Mauritian friends with discussion of typical Mauritian life and food, plus film.

Event at David Greggory featuring The Roger's Collection
Members got to sample the artisan products of The Roger’s Collection, and then made holiday purchases.

2004

Scotch sampling at the home of Rod Rudlyn
Member Rod Rudlyn opened his home, his collection of single malt scotch, and shared his knowledge. Members brouth oat cakes and other foods to nibble on.

Slow Food and Les Dames d’Escoffier joined to salute Through the Kitchen Door in Chevy Chase, with a demonstration by the Hispanic trainees of the various foods they were learning to cook and cater.

Sustainable Seafood dinner at Nora's
Smithsonian authors of One Fish, Two Fish signed copies of their book and discussed the how to preserve our seas and their fish over a seafood dinner.

Thai cooking class featuring Nongkran Daks, owner of Thai Basil restaurant in Chantilly, with hands-on experience, and plenty to eat afterwards. At the off-campus kitchens of American University.

Cocktail Party for Carlo Petrini at the Tabard Inn

Andale Slow Food Dinner at which chef Alison Swope discussed traditional Mexican cooking and presented a typical Oaxacan meal. With Mexican beer.

Fundraising dinner for Washington Youth Garden at 15 ria with a special menu by chef Jamie Leeds.

Summer Day at Freshfarm Market with contingent of supporters of the Washington Youth Garden.

2^nd Annual Farm dinner at Clyde’s at Tower Oaks. A multicourse meal with wines, cheeses. Guest speaker Carole Palmer discussing artisanal cheeses.

Slow Food on Film Festival in Silver Spring.

Paw Paw Day

October book signing at BreadLine canceled.

2005

Les Blank’s gumbo dinner at Tabard Inn based on the recipe featured in Les' film Yum, Yum, Yum,  one of his films to be screened as part of the Environmental Film Festival at AFI

Fundraiser for Washington Youth Garden at Slow Food Day at Freshfarm Market, Dupont Circle

3rd Annual Farm Dinner at Clyde’s at Tower Oaks Lodge. Guest speaker Heidi Hanson of Chefs ‘A Field.

Cookbook signing on ChocolateChocolate at Clyde’s of Chevy Chase for Lisa Yockelson.

Movie and Dinner with Farmer John at the Goethe Institute and then Clyde’s Old Ebbitt Grill.

Three Sisters at Majestic Café with samples

Business meeting at Cheryl Kollin’s House

2006

Tour of the Moctec Tortilla Factory and lunch after - Landover, MD

Washington Youth Garden fundraiser at the Dupont Circle Grille

Slow Food Day at the Freshfarm Market in Dupont Circle

4^th Annual Farm Dinner at Clyde’s

Stanley Feder’s sausage making event

Farewell party for Marsha Weiner

Business Meeting at Morenko’s Ice Cream shop in Silver Spring

2007

January 27
Tour a Tortilla Factory
Mr. Victor Vazquez, owner of Moctec Enterprises, a tortilla factory in Landover, Maryland, opens his doors to the DC convivium to learn how tortillas are made, the old-fashioned way without unsavory additives. You will see his original tortilla-making equipment, and faster machinery in this new Moctec factory. Afterwards, we will lunch at a nearby taqueria, where you will sample authentic corn tortilla tacos and other typical goodies.

February 25
Second episode of Sausage making with Stanley Feder
Learn why Stanley Feder gave up his federal job to make sausages and start a company called Simply Sausage. Twelve DC Slow members will get a hands-on demo and lesson in sausage making at the Feder’s home. Participants eat what they make: a grilled sausage brunch where every one gets a chance to show of by contributing to the table with a favorite salad, bread, or dessert.

March 11
Pizza Making and Beer Tasting at Pizzeria Paradiso
Love those pies? And some special brews? Come watch a pizza-making presentation and even handle some dough. Learn how to pair your favorite pie to the most complementary brew or brews; the restaurant has more than a dozen on hand.

March 31
Tea Tasting at Park Hyatt Tea Cellar
Both fashionable and classy, a fine cup of tea is the beverage of choice for those wanting both flavor and relaxation. At the Park Hyatt's very, very special tea tasting attendees will sample four selections:

• White, the Royal Ceylon Platinum tips
• Green, Fresh Green Kukcha
• Oolong, Secrite Orchid Oolong
• Pu-Erh, 1990 Vintage Imperial Pu-Erh.

Tea sommelier Ardina Kievits, the Park Hyatt Washington's tea expert, will discuss the above selection of teas and explain how to sample and appreciate tea varieties.

April 13
Cheese 101 at Cowgirl Creamery
Taste superb artisan cheeses from the award-winning Cowgirl Creamery, as well as from other outstanding American and international artisan producers. Co-founder Peggy Smith, will welcome us to the store and guide our pairing experience. Enjoy cheeses paired with fruits, nuts, chocolate, honey, and preserves. You will discover how terroir and the seasons influence cheese production. In small groups, we'll move through four tasting stations-focusing on different styles of cheese.

May 20
FOOD WAYS OF OLD TIMES
Experience a unique historically prepared meal with Michael Twitty, a local culinary historian. Michael has researched and written books about the foodways of enslaved communities, beginning with Maryland and Virginia. His re-creation of a Maryland "foodscape" from the 1850's will include traditional, seasonal dishes prepared with homegrown heirloom vegetables and herbs, including turnip greens, planked fish, spring chicken soup, kush, hoecake, sweet potato pie and persimmon beer. Michael's approach to historic foodways emphasizes heirlooms, heritage breeds, and wild foods. Come with questions about African American foodways and Southern food culture and sit down at the communal historic "table," to discuss ways to make this tradition sustainable for future generations.

June 24
VISIT THREE ORGANIC FARMS, MEMBERS OF THE TUSCARORA ORGANIC GROVERS COOPERATIVE
Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative is the oldest and largest organic vegetable growers cooperative in the United States. Governed by its 25 farmers, TOG pools member produce and sells to over 100 restaurants and stores in the DC and Baltimore area. The tour will feature large and small TOG growers and include Star Hollow Farm, Green Heron Farm and New Morning Farm. The tour will end at the TOG warehouse where a convivial mid afternoon pitch-in lunch will take place.

July 29
Dupont Circle Market
Meet the Washington Youth Garden (WYG) staff and program participants. Learn about opportunities for involvement.

August 7
HUG YOUR FARMERS
Celebrate local farming at the Fifth Anniversary of Slow Food DC's and Clyde's Farm Dinner. Eat, drink, and be convivial! Special four-course farm dinner with appetizers and an artisanal cheese course.
Drawing for a $100 voucher for dinner for two and a farm tour of the new farm at Clyde's at Willow Creek Farm restaurant in Virginia will commemorate Slow Food's and Clyde's Fifth Farm Dinner, and the opening of Clyde's farm at Willow Creek Farm.

Invited Speakers:
Fran McManus, of Eating Fresh Publications, who will talk about the connection between how your food tastes and how far its traveled. Bernie Prince of FRESHFARM Markets, who will present her famous "earth as apple" demonstration. J ohn Guattery, Clyde's corporate chef, who will speak about his experiences at Slow Food's Terra Madre event in Torino last fall.

September 9
Special Mexican Event - Let the margaritas flow!
DC's famed chef Jose Andres is inviting Slow Food DC members and friends for an evening of authentic Mexican fare prepared by Executive Chef Joe Raffa at Oyamel Cocina Mexicana. Mr. Vazquez of Moctec tortillas is the speaker.

October 28
Ethiopian Dinner
Jean-marc and Lakech Jezequel established the first Ethiopian restaurant in Paris in 1983. They reopened "Entoto" in the DC on Foxhall Road, NW, where it flourished until the building was sold. DC Slow Food dined at Entoto/DC shortly before it closed, and members still recall the outstanding meal and delightful discussion about Ethiopian cuisine led by Lakech. She and Jean-marc will reprise this experience at a dinner end of October for about 15 Slow Food members at a members house.

November 11 – 6 pm
Delving Into the Deep
Oceanaire Seafood Room
1201 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Executive chef Rob Klink who is passionate about preserving the integrity of our waterways and seafood treats us to a four-course meal (see menu below). He showcases sustainable choices on his restaurant menu and educates the staff about how to protect the deep-sea environs. Klink buys seafood and develops recipes around what is available and sustainable.
In addition we'll hear from Kelly Feltault, MA, who is currently a doctoral candidate in Anthropology at American University. She ran her own consulting business for ten years, which included four years on the Chesapeake researching the seafood industry and rural change. After working in international development for several years, Kelly returned to the Chesapeake and the blue crab industry for her doctoral research. Her dissertation examines the globalization of the blue crab industry, and the politics of quality surrounding new global seafood safety regulations, international trade, and the expansion of seafood restaurants.
The Menu
1st Course - Virginia Oysters Crab Imperial
2nd Course - Roasted California Sturgeon with Hackleback Caviar
3rd Course- Pecan Crusted Striped Bass, Apple Pumpkin Butter
Sides to Share- Acorn Squash
Dessert
Price for Slow members $60
Non-Slow members $65.
Inclusive of tax, gratuities, and wine.
Please send accepts by email to Kati at kgimes@starpower.net

December 1 - 3 - 5pm
A Tealightful Afternoon
You're invited to an afternoon of coffee, tea and dessert, along with a unique guided chocolate tasting by Petra Tanos.
Petra Tanos, a 2005 recipient of the Les Dames d'Escoffier scholarship, has just graduated from Slow Food's University of Gastronomic Sciences in Bra, Italy. She will share her experiences and the findings of her thesis all about chocolate.
Hosted by Joan Nathan

December 2 - 11am - 1pm
Meet - Greet - Eat / Yearly Business Meeting
Our last meeting of the year will be an unusual book-signing event for three of the DC Convivium's authors:
Sheilah Kaufman: Upper Crusts Simply delectable recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, vegetables, main courses, desserts and more--all made with our favorite comfort food BREAD
Amy Riolo: Arabian Delights Introducing the rich and exotic traditions of Arabian cuisine with recipes and entertaining ideas from the Arabian Peninsula's romantic past and trendy present.
Alexandra Greeley: Kitchen Memories A veritable 'scrapbook' of treasured family recipes from 25 countries and brought to your table by two culinary experts from the Slow Food movement.
The authors will bring dishes based on recipes from their books; books to sign and sell (great Christmas gifts). Besides book signing and food, we will hold a short business meeting. Please bring along any questions or concerns.
Free. Attendees are invited to bring drinks and/or a favorite dish to share. You need to let Alexandra Greeley know that you're coming. Send your RSVP to cookasia@verizon.net Address: 10508 Tyler Terrace, Potomac, MD

2008

NOVEMBER