November Short Takes from *The 45th*

Cooking Live! @ Aerie atop the Grand Traverse Resort.

Left Foot Charley & Robert Parker

Bryan Ulbrich's Left Foot Charley is named one of the top producers east of the Rockies in Robert Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide (7th ed).

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Hop to It

Jim Sluyter blogs about growing hops in Michigan, including the training session on December 17 at the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station.

Great Macaroni & Cheese Bake-off Tickets On Sale

Tickets for the Great Mac & Cheese Bake-off, to be held November 29, are now on sale at the wineries on the Old Mission Peninsula and at the Traverse City Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

A Thoughtful Read from Chef Eric Patterson

Thanks for the thoughtful read, Eric.

Black Star Farms’ Entrepreneurial Spirit

Check out today's article in the Traverse City Record-Eagle about Jen and Nic Welty, who put the "farm" in Black Star Farms. Interesting read on the business angle too, and its investment in young people and farm-to-table agriculture.

The Importance of Being

Chef Ted Cizma could teach a class titled "The culinary field is not what you see on the Food Network, 101." Rather than all glamor and glitz, it's a lot of hard work. But if you love it, it's all worth it!

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Grand Vision Scorecard

I just filled out the Grand Vision scorecard. Have you? If you want a say in what future you'd like for northern Michigan, make sure to fill it out! It's simple! They offer comparisons of the four scenarios presented, including the number of additional roads, availability of mass transit, ability to walk or ride bikes, the size and type of buildings, land consumed, and more. Each scenario has a different effect on agriculture and agritourism for our region, so let the planners know which future you prefer.

You can find paper copies throughout the region, or fill out the scorecard online.

The Lonely Chef

Chef Eric Patterson writes of the paradox chefs face in bringing people together, providing them joy, and yet in doing so, are often lonely. He asks, "Are those who miss out, who walk alone, who choose others happiness over their own, are they the ones who find the most inspiration? Perhaps that's the trade off. Perhaps inspiration can only be found in the lonely places on earth."

Stephanie Mills and Gary Nabhan Book Signing

Photos from last week's book signing with Stephanie Mills and Gary Nabhan.

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Bingham’s Agri-Tourism Ordinance Update

The Bingham Township Planning Commission held public hearings on two proposed zoning ordinance amendments last week and subsequently recommended both changes for adoption, reports the Leelanau Enterprise. Both amendments will be forwarded to the Leelanau County Planning Commission for review, and then on to the township board.

Epicurean Classic Needs a Home

The Great Lakes Culinary Institute at Northwestern Michigan College will no longer host the Epicurean Classic, according to an article in today's Traverse City Record-Eagle. Let's hope we get some creative community solutions to keep it here in town!

A Beautiful Day for an Opening

Tandem Ciders celebrated its Grand Opening on Saturday, and you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day! Looks like proprietors Nikki Rothwell and Dan Young would agree. We've been enjoying their sweet cider all weekend, and they make the hard stuff too. Head out to 2055 North Setterbo Rd, just north of Suttons Bay. They're open Wed-Sat, 11-7, and Sun 12-5. Photo courtesy of Gary Nabhan.

Local Foods Tasting Wrap Up

Last Friday was the Local Foods Tasting I helped to organize, and I just wanted to acknowledge the talented folks at Cuppa Joe who helped pull it off.

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