Up North Foodies

A Chef’s Thought Process

Chef Eric Patterson blogs about his thought process in preparing items he gets from the farmer's market. It's the subject of a class he and Jen Blakeslee will be teaching at the Epicurean Classic.

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An obsessed chef at The Cooks’ House

I recently stumbled upon the blog "from the stove, random thoughts of an obsessed chef," written by Eric Patterson. He's the chef and co-owner of The Cooks' House, which opened in April in the tiny spot that formerly housed Patisserie Amie on Traverse City's East Front Street. We've added a link to Eric's blog over in our right sidebar, and we'll be linking to occasional posts from here. Eric sends out a quick hi to Up North Foodies in a recent post on his blog.

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Short Takes from The 45th

Brief interviews with Spencer Stegenga of Bowers Harbor Vineyards and Sean O'Keefe of Chateau Grand Traverse about the awards their wines won at the International Eastern Wine Competition.

Beer gets billing at Epicurean Classic

In addition to the wealth of food and wine classes and two public receptions at the 2008 Traverse Epicurean Classic, a selection of classes and a gourmet dinner will focus on the vast world of beer.

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Star struck at the Epicurean Classic

Check out Press Food Editor Jaye Beeler's article on MLive.com, Traverse City Epicurean Classic a star-studded event.

CSA week 12 (1/2 share)

Fingerling potatoes, arrat basil, green beans, red & green pepper, roma & cherry tomatoes, romaine and green onions.

Ready to Pick Green Beans

Green beans are ready to pick, and Janice Benson at the Michigan Land Use Institute shares info and recipes, including Green Bean Bake Revisited. One of my favorite ways to prepare green beans is to blanche them, saute some sliced shallots in olive oil, then mix all together with toasted slivered almonds.

Forgotten Fruits for Up North Foodies: Remembering the Shiawassee Beauty

In this essay, Gary Paul Nabhan, founder of Renewing America's Food Traditions, recounts the birth of a native Michigan apple, the Shiawassee Beauty. In so doing, he urges us not only to get reacquainted with historic fruits that might be tucked away in an abandoned orchard nearby, but to restore them too. Find out what you can do!

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Farmers Market Inspired Cooking

Pay a visit to the[Epicurean Classic website, where they've been busy adding updates to the schedule. The most recent addition is "Farmers Market Inspired Cooking," with Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson, chefs/co-owners of the Cooks House in Traverse City.

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2007 Cab Franc ready at 2 Lads

2 Lads' 2007 Steel Cabernet Franc will be released on Labor Day Weekend (Aug 30).

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Fall Mushroom Mania Weekends coming up in September

Fall Mushroom Mania weekends go Sept. 5-7, Sept. 19-21 & Sept. 26-28 in Walloon Lake, Michigan. A casual, informal weekend that's interesting, informative, lots of fun, features guided mushroom hunting and good food. Contact 231-535-2227.

aerie goes local for Epicurean Classic

Cross Generational Beer dinner collaboration.

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CSA week 11 (1/2 share)

This week's share:

Romaine, swiss chard, eggs, hot peppers, green beans, tomatoes, carrots, green onions and peaches!

NMC Fall Culinary Classes

Take a look at NMC's fall schedule of extended education classes. With more than 30 culinary classes, you'll find something to tempt you. Classes cover everything from basic skills to sushi, spring rolls, seafood, Pad Thai and more. How about a wine and walking tour of the historic Village at Grand Traverse Commons, led by developer Ray Minervini?