Bringing local colour and tastes far and wide.

For the past few years, I have been working at Devour! The Food Film Fest as a programmer, helping in the selection of films, and doing a few other bits and bobs at the five day festival.  This year Devour! is taking place from October 25th until the 29th in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. I'm looking forward to a bunch of the screenings, but especially Look and See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry. I'll also be hosting a panel discussion after the screening talking about farming and community. You can check out the trailer below.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and interview noted journalist and author Jan Wong. Wong and I talked about her latest book, Apron Strings, at the Halifax Public Libraries' Central Branch. Wong is known for her work as an investigative journalist and former columnist for The Globe and Mail, especially her famous "Lunch With Jan Wong" column. I could make a joke about how the tables have turned...

Photo by Albert Lee

But talking to Wong about Apron Strings was a great experience, as was reading her book. A blend of travel journal, food writing and personal essay, Wong takes her son - and her readers - to France, Italy, and China, and writes a story about how family, culture, and food intersect. But this is not an idyllic jaunt - Wong presents the bitter with the sweet on all three topics. You can read part of our interview over at Atlantic Books Today. 

Speaking of interviews, I'll be heading to Toronto quite often for the next few months, as I recently took on a side gig working with Couleurs Locales, a french language current affairs show on Unis TV. The show was kind enough to allow me to talk about Pantry and Palate - what it's like to write about and help preserve Acadian food culture - for my first time on the show. The weekly show and is a great pan-canadian look at news that I am proud to be a part of. 

Also in Toronto, I'll be appearing at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair on Monday, November 6th. I'll be doing two presentations on Acadian food, preserving culinary heritage, and doling out some tasty goodies as well. I only wish I could stay for the whole week for all of the other culinary events happening. Come on down and say hi!

And last but not least, I finally followed the advice that came from a few of you, and I created a Facebook Page. I'll be posting some of the content from here, as well as about things that catch my eye, postings about Pantry and Palate, and more. Do me a favour and check it out, and click Like.