Coming up: LA Times Book Fest, ASJA Awards, Children’s Trust in Seattle

Today, (Saturday, April 21), I am on a panel at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books moderated by Times food editor Russ Parsons. I’m pretty psyched about it. The theme is “The Food Chain,” with the general plan to discuss the issues affecting cooking and eating in America. Also on the panel will be Julie Guthman, author of Weighing In: Obesity, Food, Justice, and the Limits of Capitalism, a subject that I personally think is the most intriguing beat in journalism these days, and Tracie McMillan, who penned The American Way of Eating: Undercover at Walmart, Applebee’s, Farm Fields and the Dinner Table. You may have heard of this one in the news; she is the latest young, single female to be unjustly attacked by Rush Limbaugh for what he says is just another “overeducated,” single, elitist female taking aim at Walmart shoppers and telling lower classes what to eat. If Limbaugh had read the book, he would know that wasn’t what the whole thing was about at all. The panel will be at 3 p.m. I’ll link to any audio should it be available.

Next week, I head back to New York for something very exciting. I will be attending the awards ceremony for the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). The judges selected my latest book, The Kitchen Counter Cooking School as the winner in the non-fiction memoir/autobiography category. I feel very honored as ASJA is such a remarkable institution. Once I have a photo, I will be sure to post.

I return quickly to Seattle Saturday, April 28, in time to participate in The Children’s Trust Charity Event fundraiser To Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect. I’ll be teaching a cooking course with several other generous people from Seattle’s food loving community. If you are in Seattle, here are the details.

A Place at the Table

Master Your Cooking Skills

To Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

Saturday, April 28, 6:30-10pm

Blue Ribbon Culinary Center, Seattle