Slow Food 3rd Annual Fall Picnic and Harvest Festival - Download Flyer
Sunday, October 7th 4-7pm
Location: Harn Homestead - Click here for directions

Reserve your spot today!

The Slow Food Fall Picnic is a truly unique celebration of the Slow Food traditions. The picnic promises to be an incredible celebration of Oklahoma ’s food traditions as well as a great place to enjoy friends, family and fellow Slow Fooders and people who care about eating well and local! Last year we had almost 300 guests in attendance - and would expect a similar number to attend this year.

The Fall Picnic will be held on the gorgeous 9-acre grounds of the Harn Homestead.

Food will be prepared by some of the top Oklahoma chefs using the finest local ingredients including chefs Cally Johnson of Boulevard Steakhouse, Mackenzie Bentley of The Coach House, Kamala Gamble of Kam’s Kookery, Chef Ian Wagner and Pastry Chef Travis Ayers. The menu will be sure to be delicious and will be a gourmet twist on traditional picnic concepts. Krebs Brewery has graciously offered to provide Choc Beer and we will also serve artisan wines selected by Corey Bauer of Republic Beverages as well as water and other refreshments.

We have a full slate of Oklahoma food producers who will be available to speak with our guests about the foods they produce including: NoName Ranch, Wichita Buffalo, Cattle Tracks, Horn Family Farm, PD&H Farms, Wagon Creek Creamery, Lasley Family Farm, and others as well as representatives from community organizations such as Oklahoma Food Coop, Sustainable OKC, Oklahoma Farm to School and YWCA McFarland Youth Gardens. Guests will be able to chat with producers as well as hear presentations about their operations. We will also be on hand to speak with guests about the benefits of joining Slow Food OKC – including upcoming “members only” events.

There will be live music by Buck Goucher and outdoor seating under the trees on the grounds of this original homestead. We will host old fashioned picnic activities for families such as croquet, horseshoes and sack races. For the little ones we will have a petting zoo, pony rides, a barrel train and face painting. Local artist and Slow Food member, Elia Woods, will be displaying her wonderful “Vegetable Prayer” art works and will lead the children in crafts from the Play with Your Food book series.

We promise something for everyone and hope to have perfect weather like we had last year, so come and bring friends and family!

Tickets are $25 per person – all inclusive – if purchased by October 1st (or $30/person if purchased after that date) – check or paypal in advance. We ask you to please reserve early - we try to offer as much locally produced food as possible, which means we can't just run over to the store to buy the picnic foods. Children 12 and under are free.

To reserve contact Slow Food OKC at slowfoodokc@yahoo.com or call Cristina at 440-6555





The Flavors of Spain and Portugal - Los Sabores de Espana y Portugal
Sunday, May 6th from 5-8pm
Location: 7000 Nichols Road, Nichols Hills OK 73116 - View PDF Map
Information: View Cheeses of Spain informational PDF

Join Slow Food OKC on Sunday, May 6th from 5-8pm for what is certain to be an extraordinary culinary experience. We will be presenting a delicious sampling of Spanish wines, cheeses, meats and tapas (appetizers) that are certain to transport your senses to the Iberian Peninsula. Travis Parsons – the cheese lover and Slow Fooder who worked with Atif Asal of the Med Deli to bring us Splendor of Italy’s cheeses last year is back at the helm – joined by Slow Fooder and Spaniard, Pepe Alberola-Ila as consultant.

A variety of cheeses, cow, goat and sheep's milk, ranging from soft (fresh) to hard (very aged). These will include an aged Manchego, Tetilla (named for its unusual shape), Cabrales (blue cheese), Ibores ( an aged cheese rubbed with olive oil and smoked paprika) and the King of them all, an unusual and hard to find very aged Mahon. Meats will include a variety of Chorizo sausages, cured pork loin, Serrano ham and perhaps some salt cured Mediterranean tuna. We will also feature Spanish Olives and imported olive oil.

Our ever faithful, Corey Bauer, of Republic Beverages will be selecting wines of Spain and Portugal.

For entertainment, Michael Fresonke, guitar instructor at OCU’s Wanda Bass School of Music will be presenting wonderful spanish guitar and to top of the incredible evening, Raquel Fabiu, flamenco dancer and instructor from Spain, will entertain us with authentic and spirited flamenco.

The event will be graciously hosted at the home of Terry Byers and her husband, Anders Carlson at 7000 Nichols Road in Nichols Hills. Come and see this fabulous home, enjoy fantastic food and wine and, of course, the company of slow fooders.

Price is $35 per person or $30 for Slow Food Members. This event will sell out so please RSVP early. slowfoodokc@yahoo.com or Cristina at 440-6555.

Chef Ann Cooper
Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 11am - View a PDF Map
(THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT.)

Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 2pm - View a PDF Map
(IN THE PEGASUS THEATER AT UCO. ADVANCE RESERVATION REQUESTED.)

Chef Ann Cooper, celebrated chef, author, educator and "Renegade Lunch Lady" will be in Oklahoma City as a featured speaker at a luncheon sponsored by Slow Food OKC, UCO and OK Fit Kids Coalition. Chef Ann will speak about the incredible work she has done to transform the lunch program in the Berkeley, California Public Schools and will offer insights into what can be done in Oklahoma to improve the lunch program. Additionally, we will have presentations by the OK Fit Kids Coaltion and the OK Farm to School Program describing what is currently underway in Oklahoma and how you can get involved.

Booksigning for Chef Ann Cooper's new book Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed our Children immediately following the luncheon hosted by Full Circle Bookstore.

First Presentation
Where: UCO Nigh University Center http://www.eventservices.ucok.edu/Directions.htm directions to the Nigh Center

When: Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 11am

RSVP: slowfoodokc@yahoo.com or Cristina at 440-6555. Spaces are limited so please RSVP early. Program and luncheon are complimentary. Advance reservation required. Due to high demand for the event we may schedule a second afternoon presentation around 2pm.


Second Presentation
Where: UCO’s PegasusTheatre

When: Saturday, March 10, 2007 at 2pm

RSVP: slowfoodokc@yahoo.com or Cristina at 440-6555. Presentation is open to the public and complimentary. Advance reservations requested.

Chef Ann Cooper is the Director of Nutrition Services for the Berkeley Public School System. She was hired by the Chez Panisse Foundation (world renowned chef Alice Waters' foundation) to improve the lunch program in the public schools in Berkeley and to provide a model for school districts around the country. Chef Ann did not always serve food in the cafeteria line. She attended the Culinary Instiute of America, was named one of the “up and coming” chefs by Gourmet magazine and was the Executive Chef at the Putney Inn in Vermont before embarking on her current career as educator and reformer. In just one year under her direction, Berkeley Schools have gone from 95% processed foods to 95% made from scratch and every school is on track to have a fresh salad bar.

According to Chef Ann, we won’t have much hope for future generations of healthy kids unless we begin teaching them what good food really is. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that 35 percent of our children are overweight, which statistically predicts that children born in the year 2000 will be the first in our nation’s history to die at a younger age than their parents—we just can’t allow this to happen. Sadly, Oklahoma’s youth are some of the least healthy in the nation and childhood obesity is considered the number one health issue for children in our state.

This is important! if you want to compare what the kids are eating in Berkeley this month to what they are eating in OKC here are 2 links - enjoy...

OKC = http://www.okcps.org/cns/menus/Elem_menu_0207.pdf

Berkeley = http://www.lunchlessons.org/html_v2/calendar/pdfs/ChefAnn_calendar_feb.pdf

visit chef ann's website www.lunchlessons.org for more information and lots of interesting articles about children and adult nutrition.

A Celebration of Spain and Portugal:
Save The Date - Slow Food OKC Presents
Tapas, Wines, Cheeses, Chorizo and Ham
Sunday, May 6th, 5pm

- Details to follow

Wild Night at the Coach House Exceeds Wildest Expectations
Sunday, February 11th

Slow Food OKC Hosted a sold out event featuring wild game prepared by Chef Kurt Fleischfresser at the Coach House.

Chef Kurt prepared an extraordinary 5-course meal. Walters Hatchery quail and pheasant started off the meal followed by venison by Honey Hill Farm and buffalo from Wichita Buffalo. A delicious roasted pear dessert completed a sumptuous meal.

Chef Kurt’s incredible talents were on full display with this meal. Guests were delighted as course after course of gourmet splendor appeared before them. In the words of Slow Food members, Suzy and Chip Morgan, “Sunday night’s meal was nothing short of incredible. Not only was that the finest meal we have ever had at the Coach House, but it may have been the finest anywhere (including Al Forno in Providence, Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, the Blue Boar in San Francisco and the Bakery and Topolobampo in Chicago as well as a few places in France and Italy).” What more can we say!

Superlative wine were paired with the meal, brought to us through the ongoing generosity of Republic Beverages. Jeff Coyle, Director of Sales of Republic Beverages in Oklahoma, spoke to the group about the wines and the reasons for pairing them with each course. Truly, even the wine snobs at the event were impressed with the quality and variety of the wines provided. As always, Slow Food OKC thanks Corey Bauer at Republic for his support of our events.

Jerry and Jo Logan of Honey Hill Farm were on hand to share information about the venison they produce

The evening lasted over 3 hours with many guest not wanting the evening to end—embracing the Slow Food principles of taking your time to enjoy a fine meal with friends.

Given the success of this special evening, we hope to offer another Wild Night next winter.

Wild Night Menu
Spinach and Pinenut Stuffed Quail in a
Wild Mushroom Parmesan Soup
Eberle Viognier Paso Robles 2005
Seared Pheasant Breast on Mescaline Greens
with a Smoked Onion Vinagrette
Girard Chardonnay 2005
Confit of Juniper Cured Venison on a
Roasted Garlic-Sage Risotto
Madrigal Petite Syrah 2002
Whole Roasted Buffalo Tenderloin with Red Wine Sauce & Mushroom Dust and Roasted Shallot Tart
Napa Wine Company
Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Roasted Pear Stuffed with Pecan Cream on Toasted Apple Cider Sabayon
Cognac

Slow Food 2nd Annual Fall Picnic and Harvest Festival
Sunday October 1st 4-7pm at the Harn Homestead

The 2nd Annual Slow Food Fall Picnic is around the corner so reserve your spot today - Sunday, October 1, 2006, Harn Homestead 4-7pm

The picnic will be a fantastic opportunity to:

• enjoy an afternoon with friends and family
• meet local food producers who are providing superior, sustainable produced foods - and make them available to you and your families too!
• spend time with the chefs in town who are using local ingredients to prepare incredible, flavorful meals
• learn more about Slow Food

All proceeds will go to promote Slow Food in Schools School Garden Projects!

Fantastic Food and Drink!
We will have gourmet “picnic” foods prepared by gourmet chefs including: Kurt Fleischfresser of The Coach House, Cally Johnson of Boulevard Steakhouse, Brian Ward of the Saturn Grill and Kamala Gamble of Kam’s Kookery. Traditional and non-traditional favorites will be prepared. We will use locally prepared, seasonal ingredients and baked goods of the highest quality. Among the delicious menu items we will be serving: we will again be featuring the succulent Walters' Hatchery chickens grilled onsite by Cally Johnson of Boulevard Steakhouse, Farrell Family Organic Breads sprinkled with olive oil and grilled to perfection, savory pulled pork with spicy BBQ sauce and rosemary buns from Ingrid's Bakery. Last year's fabulous deviled eggs and sweet potato salad will be back. We promise to have delicious desserts with local fruits to top off an amazing meal.

Krebs Brewing Company has generously donated their award-winning Choc beer plus Choctoberfest, a traditional hand crafted fall brew. Choc beer is made with the same old recipe passed down from generation to generation that has been served at Pete's Place in Southeast Oklahoma for many years. Representatives of Krebs Brewery will be on hand to answer your questions about this historic home brewed beer that apparently originated in Indian Territory and was passed from the Indians to the Italian immigrants.

Corey Bauer of Republic Beverages will be selecting the wines. We are on the hunt for ciders and, of course, we will have plenty of water, iced tea and lemonade!

If you’ve been to an event before you know we always have great food to eat and plenty of it! If you’ve never been – this is the event to attend.

Meet Local Food Producers
Several local food producers have generously offered to be on hand for the event. You will have the opportunity to learn more about them and their operations as well as place orders for their products for future delivery. We currently have invited folks from NoName Ranch (Beef), Walters’ Hatchery (chicken and turkey), Honey Hill Farms and Peachcrest Farms and a local pork producer. Additionally, Bob Waldrop, founder of the Oklahoma Food Coop will be on hand to share information with us about this valuable organization as well as sign up new members. We hope to add more producers in the coming weeks.

Enjoy Live Music
Buck Goucher will be entertaining the Slow Food crowd with his music – he can sing a vast array of Johnny Cash and other country legends perfectly. He was a real hit last year and he’ll be back again this year.

Family Activities - Picnic Games, Pony Rides, Petting Zoo and Face Painting
Pony Rides and a Petting Zoo will be on hand for the little ones, traditional picnic games (sack races, etc), croquet and horseshoes will also be available for adults and kids alike. We will also have a local artist on hand to paint the Slow Food Snail or other designs on smiling faces and little hands. If you prefer to just enjoy the early fall afternoon, you may stroll the grounds, bring a blanket and sit or enjoy our provided outdoor and indoor tables.

Please note - we moved the event 2 weeks later than last year to ensure cooler weather than last year's warm spell!

Reserve a spot for yourself and your friends and family today! Prices are $25 per person with children 12 and under free – What a Deal! Advance payment is requested. Contact Cristina McQuistion at cfmcquistion@yahoo.com or 440-6555.

Harn Homestead is located at 313 NE 16th in OKC near the Capitol. Parking is easy and free.

"THE SPLENDOR OF ITALY EXTRAVAGANZA"
MAMA MIA!

More than 150 Slow Food members and guests gathered to experience an extraordinary feast of Italian cheeses, wines, imported meats and desserts. Atif Asal, owner of the Mediterranean Deli in Oklahoma City, and Travis Parsons, Slow Food member, selected 14 gourmet cheeses, many difficult to find. Abundant quantities of these special cheeses gave delighted guests the opportunity to sample and savor particular favorites. Descriptions of each cheese were provided, including historical information and culinary uses. Slow Food member, Peg Davison, hand-painted signs for each cheese type. The exquisite banquet also offered Italian gourmet olives, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, endless plates of Italian cured meats, and artisan breads from Oklahoma's Farrell Family Organic Breads.

Slow Food OKC co-founder, Chef Kamala Gamble of Kam's Kookery, with assistance from Dotty Paluska, prepared delicious gnocchi from the Deli, with freshly prepared gorgonzola sauce, asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and phyllo dough, as well as vegetable antipasti and handmade olive tapenades. The Kookery also prepared delicious Italian desserts ... cannoli, tiramisu, and fresh strawberries with balsamic vinegar!

Corey Bauer of Republic Beverages, a Slow Food OKC member and wine expert, served exceptional imported Italian wines. Pinto Grigio 2004, Chianti Classico 2002, Campofiorin 2002, and Moscato d'Asti were the featured varieties.

We encourage you to enjoy a delicious visit to the Mediterranean Deli, and also support Republic Beverages by requesting their wines in local shops.

This radiant event was graciously held once again at the home of Slow Food co-founder, Kerry Norman, and her husband, Cordell Brown. That's amore!

Slowly yours,
Kerry and Kamala

Mama Mia!
Italian Wines, Cheeses, Meats and Olives!
June 8th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Make plans now to join Slow Food OKC for what promises to be an amazing evening to celebrate Italy's delicioso food and wine traditions! Atif Asal, owner of Oklahoma City's outstanding Mediterranean Deli, will be on hand to discuss 20 Italian cheeses, exceptional olives, cured Italian meats, artisan oils and balsamic vinegars.

Italian wines will be featured and described by Corey Bauer of Republic Beverages, including Chianti Classicos and other artisan wines. Topping off the event will be classic Italian desserts, courtesy of convivium leader, Chef Kamala Gamble.

Join Slow Food OKC on Thursday, June 8, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the home of Kerry Norman and Cordell Brown, 2336 Belleview Drive, Oklahoma City. The fee is $30.00 per person for Slow Food members, $35.00 per person for non-members. Reservations and advanced payment are requested.

This event promises to be a charming gathering and deliciously informative!

RSVP to: Kernorman@aol.com

Fall Family Picnic and Harvest Festival
October 1st, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Fall and football will be here before we know it, so Slow Food OKC is already planning a fantastic family picnic at Harn Homestead on October 1, 2006, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm (a tentative date and location).

We will feature our statewide Oklahoma food producers, showcasing their special offerings of great edibles and wines, live music, and fun-filled family activities ... an old-fashioned Fall picnic with something for everyone!

Look for more details this Summer!

Slowly yours, Kerry and Kamala

The inaugural Oklahoma City convivium event was held at Guilford Farms, a suburban garden and professional commercial culinary establishment, hosted by convivium leaders, Kamala Gamble and Kerry Norman. Many turned out for the “first of its kind” event, enjoying Oklahoma wines, artisanal produce and cheeses, beef and poultry, with main courses prepared by Slow Food OKC chefs and participants.

The next convivium event was held at TerraLuna Grille, hosted by owner and Slow Food member, Donna Rugozzino. Focusing again on culinary styles of local Oklahoma chefs, food producers, wine growers, restaurant and shop owners, over 100 guests joined the festivities. Interest in this important local and international movement continues, creating a substantial membership increase.

Mardi Gras Mambo
Slow Food OKC

Terra Madre Katrina Relief Fund
Sponsored by Slow Food USA

On February 28, 2006, Slow Food OKC proudly participated in the national convivia effort to assist Louisiana food producers and purveyors by rebuilding their extensive losses incurred by Hurricane Katrina. The "Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Mambo" was organized in Oklahoma City by convivium leaders Kamala Gamble and Kerry Norman. On this delightful, nearly-Spring evening, members and guests gathered to enjoy the Mardi Gras atmosphere, camaraderie, snazzy music, those must-wear parade beads, refreshing wines, and acclaimed Cajun/Creole cuisine prepared by Chef Kamala.

The Delicious Menu!

Creole Chicken Cakes with Spicey Sauces
(Oklahoma Producer: Walter's Family Hatchery, featured by Martha Stewart)

Fried Gulf Oysters

Shrimp Creole on a Skewer

Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo
(Chicken from Walter's Family Hatchery)

Gumbo Z'Herbes
A tasty blend of collard, turnip, mustard greens
ham hocks and salt pork.
(Oklahoma Producer: PD&H Farms)

Red Beans and Rice
(Andouille Sausage from OKC Bill Kamp's Meat Market)

Banana Beignets with Foster Sauce

DELIGHTFUL!

Slow Food USA has identified the following Louisiana food producers and purveyors in need of assistance:

The Soft Shell Crab - a husband/wife team who produce some of the fattest and finest soft shell crabs for restaurants in New Orleans. They had extensive damage to the facility and also lost their boat.

Dooky Chase's Restaurant - a famous Creole dining establishment since 1941, which flooded and must be completely rebuilt.

Fair Pop Hill Farm - a one-man greenhouse operation growing heirloom tomatoes and satsumas (a citrus fruit). He lost his greenhouses.

Isabel and Miguel Mendez - one of the only producers to grow the Louisiana Heritage Strawberry, a product listed on the Food USA Ark of Taste. The hurricane devastated their farm and they lost everything.

Angelo Brocato's Ice Cream and Confectionary - celebrated their 100th anniversary this year. The establishment received five feet of water for weeks, which ruined the newly purchased equipment for use in celebrating the centennial event.

Mandina's - a neighborhood restaurant established in 1932, specializing in Seafood, Soul, Creole, and Italian cuisine. Six foot water levels caused major structural damage.

Roko's Oyster - Roko Tvrdeic, an emigrant from Coatia, had been harvesting Louisiana oysters for almost forty years. They lost their boat, processing plant, home, and trucks.

Rebel Seafood - specializes in lake and Gulf shrimp, blue crab, finfish, catfish, trout, and flounder for local restaurants. They lost their home and trawler.


Slow Food OKC is grateful to our members and guests for their participation, and we are proud to have sent their contribution of $1,000 to the Terra Madre Katrina Relief Fund.

Slow Food USA will be handing out the grants to these important growers and purveyors at the Crescent City Farmers Market on March 21st. We will update further information regarding the Mardi Gras Mambo national event.

Please accept our deepest appreciation for your contribution, participation and support of Slow Food OKC, and this worthy event dedicated to assist our fellow Slow Food partners.

Rick Bayless - Award Winning Chef Event
Sunday, November 27th,

On Sunday, November 27, 2005, Slow Food Oklahoma City hosted Rick Bayless, the award winning chef and restaurant owner, at a sold-out event held at the Coach House.  Over 75 guests enjoyed this extraordinary evening, which included his book signing and authentic Mexican 5-course meal prepared by Kurt Fleischfresser of the Coach House, and Kamala Gamble of Kam's Kookery, who trained at Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill in Chicago.  Chef Bayless, an Oklahoma native, was visiting for the holiday season, and on book tour for his newly published book, Mexican Everyday.  Full Circle Books sponsored the book signing, and many attendees enjoyed having Chef Bayless personalize their copies of his new book.

At the event, Chef Bayless addressed the guests and spoke about his commmitment to locally produced ingredients, his love of the pleasures of the table, and his life-long enthusiasm for the "food of a place."  He inspired the group with his stories about how recipes are full of history, emotion, and a sense of family.

Rick Bayless has also had a firm commitment to Slow Food principles for over 20 years.  He is Chairman of Chefs Collaborative, which supports food grown in a healthy environment with careful farming practices.  In 1987, he was chosen "Best New Chef" by Food and Wine, and in 1995, he was awarded both the prestigious James Beard National Chef of the Year, and the International Association of Culinary Professionals Chef of the Year Award.  He has hosted his own PBS television series, Mexico, One Plate at a Time.

At the event, Slow Food Oklahoma City co-sponsors Kamala Gamble and
Kerry Norman presented Chef Kurt Fleischfresser with its first "Chef of Distinction" award, honoring his decades' long commitment to Slow Food principles.  Chef Kurt, Kamala, and his staff prepared an extraordinary feast. Applause to the local producers who participated and were highlighted at the event, including NoName Ranch Beef, Honey Hill Farm Eggs, and Guilford Gardens.

Round Barn Event
Sunday, September 18th, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

The Red Round Barn family picnic event held at Arcadia, Oklahoma in September brought together families, friends, guests, and our outstanding variety of local food growers and producers. Their fresh and delicious offerings of artisanal homemade jellies, pickles, cheeses, breads, free-range chicken and bison, created our Oklahoma feast! Leading area chefs also contributed their culinary talents with potato salads, fried okra, cole slaws, relishes, chow-chows, and in-season fruit desserts. Recipes were shared, quality food sources revealed, new friendships formed. We hope this enjoyment of traditional, artisanal, and wholesome foods will create a "slower" rhythm of lifestyle for our welcomed guests and members. We look forward to your joining us at the next gathering.