Food Writers and Twilight Tastings at the Miami Book Fair International

* * * Ruth Reichl, food writer and former editor of Gourmet magazine. * * *

The annual Miami Book Fair International started yesterday.  This year the Book Fair is lean, but still strong.  For example, the International Pavilions, which showcase the literature, arts and food of different countries are on hiatus, as well as the spoken word tent.  Yet the Book Fair is still packed with authors worth seeing.  See below for information on the food related authors who present throughout the week, including tonight’s guest, Ruth Reichl.

Throughout the week, Twilight Tastings will serve free hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary cocktail from a different Miami restaurant each weeknight (including Mamajuana Café and Xixon).  Twilight Tastings are from 5 pm to 7:30 pm in the evenings at the Wolfson Campus; here is the schedule.

Tonight

Ruth Reichl on the New Culinary Landscape
6:00 pm, FREE
Chapman Conference Center (Bldg 3, 2^nd Floor), Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus

Ruth Reichl presents her two latest books: the memoir Not Becoming My Mother and Other Things She Taught Me and Gourmet Today: More Than 1000 All-New Recipes for the Contemporary Kitchen.  Gourmet Today is the bookend of Ruth’s career as the editor of the now-defunct Gourmet magazine. (The last issue is on newsstands now).  Reichl is one of the most influential people in food today.  Her Book Fair bio reads: “As The New York Times food critic from 1993 to 1999, she sparked a controversy by giving two- and three-star reviews not only to fine French restaurants, but also to SoHo noodle shops and Greek and Italian eateries.”  This will definitely be an event worth attending.  Get there early to get a good seat.

Before Reichl speaks, there will be a Twilight Tasting provided by Mamajuana Café.  Free Latin and Dominican fusion hors d’oeuvres and a free cocktail will be served in Building 3, on the 5^th floor terrace of the Wolfson Campus from 5 pm to 7:30 pm.

This Weekend

Lidia Bastianich
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009
10 am, FREE
Auditorium Pavilion A, Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus

The grand dame of Italian cooking presents her latest book Lidia Cooks From the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes, written with Tanya Bastianich Manuali.  Bastianich is perennially on the weekend public television cooking show rotation.  She is also the author of five cookbooks and the owner of several restaurants, including Felidia.

William Grimes
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009
2:30 pm, FREE
Batten (Bldg. 2, 1^st Floor, Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus

William Grimes gives a tour of New York restaurant history in Appetite City: A Culinary History of New York. The former restaurant critic for the New York Times speaks with fellow authors Connie Rosenblum and Edward Rutherford on The Big Apple.