If you like talking about food as much as you like shoving it in your face, prepare to clear your calendar. The next weeks and months will bring a veritable cornucopia of gabbing about grub, from a discussion about restaurant preservation to a three-day symposium curated by Mission Chinese’s Danny Bowien that’ll culminate in a massive multi-chef barbecue on the East River. Here’s what’s on the pass.
Historic Preservation, Meet Restaurant Preservation
Aug. 5 at 6 p.m., Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South; free, reservations required via (212) 475-9585 ext. 35.
On the heels of the closing of Gray’s Papaya, Voice-turned-Eater critic Robert Sietsema proposed that politicians, real estate reps, and chefs come together to preserve “irreplaceable dining institutions.” Now he’ll discuss his plan with former New York Times restaurant critic Mimi Sheraton, Columbia University assistant professor of urban planning Stacey Sutton, and Tower Brokerage president Robert Perl (one of the landlords who oversaw Life Cafe’s exit).
BBQ Blowout with Sushi Ko and YOUSS
August 13, 7:30pm to 10:30pm at Good Co., 10 Hope St, Williamsburg, $10 tickets here
Okay, so this one is pretty much just a party and bbq, but Bushwick’s highly educational and food-obsessed internet radio station, Heritage Radio Network, will be on site, and the invite promises that Food Republic will be “spreading the good word about food,” so whatever, we’re throwing it in.
Caffeine, Cocaine and Soda of a Nation
August 26, 8pm at Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street, Brooklyn; free with RSVP
This latest installment of Masters of Social Gastronomy — a lecture series put on by historical gastronomist Sarah Lohman of Four Pounds Flour and Jonathan Soma of the Brooklyn Brainery — focuses on soda. The talk will delve into Coca-Cola’s coke-fueled history as well as the origins of sarsaparilla and root beer. But will it explain why a Diet Coke is $4 at Burger & Barrel?
Taste Talks: Brooklyn
Sept. 12 to 14 at various locations; get an all-access pass or RSVP for individual events.
This three-day festival curated by Danny Bowien (Mission Cantina) and presented by Mario Batali along with the folks who put on the Northside Festival will bring a slew of food-related workshops, discussions, and tastings to Brooklyn (“America’s hottest test kitchen,” as it’s described). Among the highlights from the lineup of over 20 events: the Times‘s new “Food” editor Sam Sifton will ask “Do Restaurant Reviews Matter?”, East Villager Ken Friedman (owner of the Spotted Pig, etc.) and others will ask “What Is Buzz?”, Del Posto chef Brooks Headley will show off the savory skills that made his veggie burger such a hit, Phil Ward of East Village cocktail den Mayahuel will talk tequila, and Bowien will show Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar how to reproduce her fave canned soup. Big-ticket events include an All-Star BBQ bringing 20 chefs together in East River Park and a Future Food Expo focused on Brooklyn artisans and innovators.
Food Talks at the 92nd Street Y
Ongoing at 92nd Street Y, Lexington Avenue at 92nd St
Some great downtown chefs are making the trip uptown in the next months, and so should you. On Oct. 22, David Chang of Momofuku will be talking about Southern cuisine with Sean Bock of the awesome Husk restaurants in Charleston and Nashville, and on Nov. 4, two of the East Village’s most badass chef-authors, Gabrielle Hamilton of Prune and Eddie Huang of Baohaus, will be trading secrets.