I’ll be meeting small operators of shrimp boats, fisheries, and oyster farms to learn how they have recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

Artists Amy Franceschini and Michael Swaine from Futurefarmers
will share their thoughts on Suzanne Husky’s solo show, You Make Me Make You Chef Leif Hendendal will accompany their presentation with a lovely 4-course vegetarian meal.

A Pink Saturday party to benefit “Glide Foundation”: http://www.glide.org/ and its HIV/AIDS and Health Services. Soulful house sounds presented by DJ David Harness, along with some fun from Extra Action Marching Band and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.

Tim Patterson and Nancy Freeman will be hosting another one of their infamous corking sessions. After we fill, seal and label the latest batch of his Grenache blend by hand, Nancy will call us over to their patio for a holiday BBQ.

Special tasting of foods from the Province of Salerno, Italy. I’m especially looking forward to their San Marzano tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella and the limoncello.

Celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Dr. Kikunae Ikeda’s isolation of monosodium glutamate in seaweed,the Umami Information Center is hosting an all-day symposium on umami, that savory 5th taste.

The Asian Culinary Forum, an organization that I helped found, will launch with its first public event. We’re gathering chefs Kelly Degala, Eric Gower, Michelle Mah, Kirti Pant, Charles Phan and moderator Linda Carucci to share their thoughts on cooking and creativity. Learn more about the event at ACF’s website.