A day of food and food talk

Exclusive to Portland-area readers

By Kim Carlson

September 22, 2008

On October 4, at Nostrana in Portland, the Portland Culinary Alliance will host “Pathways to a Culinary Career,” a special daylong event that includes panel discussions with Portland-area food professionals and — hey, we’re talking about food here, right? — lunch (with wine) prepared by Nostrana chef Cathy Whims.

I’m presenting at this event, but even if I weren’t, I would certainly opt to sit in on the fun; Portland is a food town, and this will be a great opportunity to hear from a few of the individuals in Portland who are working in food. (No farmers this time, but fortunately you can meet them at the markets.)

Lisa Herlinger, from Ruby Jewel, will be serving up her business’s story.

• Oregonian FOODday editor Martha Holmberg
• Cookbook authors Ivy Manning, Diane Morgan, and Janie Hibler
• Bloggers Kathleen Bauer and Tami Parr
• Chefs Cathy Whims and Vitaly Paley
• Photographer John Valls
• Food stylist and writer Ellen Jackson
• Food publicists Lisa Donoughe and Lisa Hill
• Barista Andrea Spella and waffle maker David Stokamer
• And farmers’ market entrepreneurs Lisa Herlinger and Elizabeth Beekley and Anna Phelps.

(A detailed schedule is also available.)

The cost for the day’s events is $75 ($60 for PCA members). This is a great deal: More than four hours of food talk plus lunch at Nostrana. (And did I mention wine?)

To register, download this form, fill it out, write a check, mail it in.

See you there!

Not from Portland? Do you have an event like this where you live? Tell us about it in the comments below.