Chicago Foodways Roundtable February Events

Chocolate Evolution, History and French Royalty
The Culinary Historians of Chicago present “The Bittersweet History of Chocolate in France” at 10 a.m. on Saturday Feb. 20 at Lexington College (310 S. Peoria St., Chicago). Explore the history and evolution of chocolate in France with award-winning master sugar artist, teacher and judge Mark Seaman. Learn about the oldest chocolate houses in France and their connections to the kings of France and Marie Antoinette. Discover the different types of chocolate and how chocolate bars derive from beans. A sampling of chocolates from the French Pastry School of Chicago are included.

Chef Mark Seaman teaches in the Professional Cake Decorating and Baking Program at the French Pastry School in Chicago. Seaman has received many awards for his work and has been featured on The Food Network and The Travel Channel.

To reserve your spot today call (708) 788-0338 or e-mail rsvpchc@yahoo.com. Tickets are $5 for the public, $3 for students and there is no charge for Culinary Historians of Chicago members and Lexington faculty and students.


Dining Like a President
Chicago Foodways Roundtable presents “The History of the First Stomach” by Barbara Kuck at 10 a.m. on Saturday Feb. 27 at Kendall College (900 N. Branch St., Chicago). Documents from Szathmáry Family Culinary Collection’s United States Presidential Autograph Collection assist in the discussion of Presidential family eating and dining habits. Anecdotes from past Presidents support the discussion with stories ranging from childhood homes, battlefields, to the White House kitchens. Tickets are $3 per person and free to Kendall students and faculty with ID.

Barbara Kuck is a Culinary Historian and chef involved in many culinary organizations and the recipient of many awards including the Food Arts magazine Silver Spoon Award and Culinary Ambassador for the American Culinary Federation.

To reserve your ticket today, call (847) 432-8255 or e-mail Chicago.foodways.roundtable@gmail.com. Please include your name, telephone number and the number of people in your party.

Photos: Getty Images

Author Kathleen Flinn Comes to Chicago

Kathleen Flinn, chef and author of "The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry," is here in Chicago this weekend for several appearances, including one last night at a gathering of professionals from the International Association of Culinary Professionals, of which she is chair of the Food Writers, Editors & Publishers section. Flinn chatted with guests gathered at the event, including Kurman's own Stephanie DeMeester and Catherine Patterson.

Coming up next for Flinn, who's in town through the weekend, is a lecture 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9 at the Chicago History Museum (1601 N. Clark St.) She will also sign copies of the book, with the proceeds going to the sponsors of the event, the Culinary Historians of Chicago. Flinn's visit also celebrates the 10-year anniversary of Chez Joel Bistro (1119 W. Taylor St.), where there will be a luncheon in her honor hosted by ChicaGourmets.

Interested in attending the lecture and meeting Kathleen Flinn? The lecture is $5, $3 for students and no charge for members of the Culinary Historians of Chicago. To reserve, call Barbara Olson at (708) 788-0338.

Afterwards, at 12:30 p.m., the action moves to Chez Joel for a reception, lunch and book signing. Cost is $59.50, inclusive, for members of ChicaGourmets and the Culinary Historians and $69.50 for nonmembers. For information, or to register, call (847) 571-1499, or go to http://www.chicagourmets.org/.

Photo Credit: Roger Steen