So much has happened since my last post. Most importantly Monday night was the Food Lover's Guide to Portland book event at Powell's with Nick Zukin, Sarah Hart, Steve Jones and John Cleary. It was fantastic even though I choked a bit at the beginning from nerves and emotion. I know now that it's possible to almost cry out of happiness and fear at the same time. I didn't but was right on the verge. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was a wild, weird and perfectly wangy (had to be there) Portland food time and I loved every second of it. Except maybe the five seconds that I just told you about. Nah, I even loved those. I'll put up some photos from that here soon.
Another big recent event for me was my book launch party on July 1st. One special someone who showed up was local John Kallas -- author of Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods from Dirt to Plate. He had fun at my party and two days later I had a good time at his book launch party. John opened up the backyard of his North Portland home and all sorts of people showed up to celebrate and buy the book and also check out the wild edibles in John's backyard. Over the years I've taken a lot of John's workshops and I'm a big fan. I can't wait to spend more time with his new book. Here are some snapshots from the party...
((If you're at The Bite of Oregon this weekend come by and say "Hi" to me on Saturday from 1-3pm. I'll be at a table near the chef stage signing books.))
John Kallas signing books at his book launch party for Edible Wild Plants.
Gather 'round foragers...
Super sweet edible wild columbine in John's backyard.
Wild mustard and other wild greens in John's backyard.
Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods from Dirt to Plate by John Kallas 2010, Gibbs Smith Publisher Paperback $24.99