michael tuohy's

This article http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/11/how-monsanto-controls-the-future-of-food.aspx

is an interesting read. it's scary to imagine such a "mono-culture," when it comes to the crops that supply our food.

You're Invited to An Evening with the Nimans!

You're Invited to An Evening with the Nimans

Meet renowned ranchers and authors Bill & Nicolette Niman! Join us for a presentation and lively discussion about how American meat is produced and what we can do to make it better.Book signing and special dinner to follow in Grange Restaurant.

When: January 20, 2011

Time: 6:00-7:00pm at The Citizen Hotel, Metropolitan Terrace

Sponsored by: Grange Restaurant and Bar, BN Ranch 
*Tastes provided by Grange Restaurant

Bill Niman and Nicolette Hahn Niman are owners and operators of BN RANCH, a seaside ranch in Bolinas, California, where they raise their son Miles, grass-fed cattle, heritage turkeys, and goats. They were featured in an August 2009 cover story in TIME about the crisis in America's food system. 

Bill is a cattle rancher and founder of the natural meat company Niman Ranch, Inc. Niman has been named "Food Artisan of the Year" by Bon Appetit and has been called the "Master of Meat" by Wine Spectator, the "Guru of Happy Cows" by the Los Angeles Times, "a pioneer of the good meat movement" by the New York Times, "the Steve Jobs of Meat" by Men's Journal, and a "Pork Pioneer" by Food & Wine. 

Nicolette Hahn Niman is a rancher, attorney, and writer. Much of her time is spent speaking and writing about the problems of industrialized livestock production, including the book Righteous Porkchop: Finding a Life and Good Food Beyond Factory Farms. 

 

Join us for an evening with Bill & Nicolette Niman, Thursday, January 20th!

http://nimanlecture.eventbrite.com

Here's an article that I just came across that tells of some of the best known celebrity chefs that never got formal culinary school training. 

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2011/01/11/9-celebrity-chefs-who-skipped-culinary-school/

America's good food fight - latimes.com

This op-ed appeared in today's latimes. nicolette niman zeros in on issues surrounding good, clean & fair food for all people. it can be done with a concerted effort by the public and policy makers. 

America's good food fight - latimes.com.

Happy New Year!

As most of you know or would have guessed, I spent last night cooking for lots of happy & excited guests at Grange. it was a night filled with great ingredients like, matsutake & chanterelle mushrooms, foie gras, wolfe ranch quail, squab, liberty duck, truffles, and we celebrated with an additional 4 course maine lobster menu! today, i pulled myself from a deep slumber in a warm toasty bed to the sound of rain. there was a great aroma in the house coming from the kitchen. before i went to bed last night, i managed to put on a pot of black eyed peas & collard greens with a ham hock. 6 hours later.....a magical transformation took place. i atribute this dish to my many years spent living & cooking in Atlanta. i often refer to that as my "Southern Exposure!" here is a little story and background on this souther tradition that is believed to bring good luck & prosperity in the coming year. may 2011 bestow both upon you!