Springtime is just around the corner in Brooklyn. Trees are sprouting in sidewalk cracks, the days are getting longer and warmer, and Food Book Fair is finally back again. Now in its fourth year, Food Book Fair celebrates the intertwined worlds of food, drinks and writing over the weekend of April 10-12 at the Wythe Hotel. We’ve partnered with the Food Book Fair every year, and having them in the neighborhood has become one of our favorite parts of spring.
The Food Book Fair is known for their packed schedule and star-studded lineups, and this year they’re stepping up again. More than 20 events, 25 indie food magazines, and over fifty chefs, writers, editors and publishers are putting on panels, cocktail parties and networking events in just three days. A veritable who’s-who of food and writing including Bar Tartine, Brooks Headley and our own Brooklyn Brewery Chef Andrew Gerson will all be speaking with an audience of unmatched passion. Check out some highlights from the programming below and get your tickets here.
Passion to Profits: Stories of Women Who Made Food Their Business
Friday, April 10, 10-11 AM
Rodale Books and Toklas Society will co-host a conversation about careers, passions and the challenges facing women in a changing industry. Panelists Lee Campell (wine director, Reynard, Marlow & Sons, Roman’s, Diner, Achilles Heel), Suzanne Lenzer (food stylist, author of Truly Madly Pizza), Liz Prueitt (co-owner, Tartine, author of Tartine), and Jennie Ripps (CEO, Owl’s Brew, author of Wise Cocktails) will be moderated by Sue Chan, co-founder of the Toklas Society.
Great Grains-Presented by Brooklyn Brewery
Friday, April 10, 2:30-3:30 PM
Brooklyn Brewery presents a conversation about the changing attitudes of the public towards grain and the sometimes-controversial science behind modern farming practices. Panelists include Jorge Gaviria (co-founder, Masienda), Glenn Roberts (founder, Anson Mills), Eli Rogosa (farmer, co-founder of the Heritage Grain Conservancy), June Russell (director of the GrowNYC Regional Grains Project), and Dr. David Shields (professor, chair of the Carolina Gold Rice Foundation, author of Southern Provisions.)
Live! At Food Book Fair, It’s Heritage Radio Network
Friday, April 10, 6-8 PM
The Heritage Radio Network presents interactive readings and performances from favorite hosts including HRN founder Patrick Martins (author of The Carnivore’s Manifesto), Joe Campanale (Downtown Italian), and Mary Izett (Speed Brewing: Techniques and Recipes for Fast-Fermenting Beers, Ciders, Meads and More.) Book signing will take place during the event, along with a set from DJ Spliffington of Full Service Party, food from Dig Inn and plenty of Brooklyn Brewery beer.
Food in Visual Culture
Saturday, April 11, 5-6 PM
Join in on a look back in history through the eras of woodcut-illustrated cookbooks, Julia Child on television, and the rise of food photography on Instagram. Panelists Alison Attenborough (food stylist and art director) and Andrea Gentl (photographer, Gentl & Hyers) will examine how people, trends and technology have shaped how food is portrayed in the media.
Table of Contents Literary Dinner at Egg Restaurant
Saturday, April 11, 8-10 PM
Table of Contents is an annual multi-course conceptual literary dinner. A collaboration between George Weld and Evan Hanczor of Egg, past themes have visited the pages of classics including The Sun Also Rises and To Kill a Mockingbird. This year’s dinner centers on The Member of the Wedding, by Carson McCullers. Each course will draw upon the themes, characters and settings of the book, and will be paired with a Brooklyn Brewery beer.
Oyster Hour with Island Creek Oysters and Brooklyn Brewery
Sunday, April 12, 5-6:30 PM
Finish off Food Book Fair with a discussion on the oyster’s significance to New York and New England with Island Creek Oysters Chef Jeremy Sewall and Bon Appetit Deputy Editor Scott DeSimon. Freshly shucked oysters will be provided by the Island Creek Oysters signature raw bar boat, along with other oyster dishes from Brooklyn Brewery Chef Andrew Gerson paired with Brooklyn Sorachi Ace.