Green things happening for Emeril Lagasse
Emeril Lagasse might be curtailing his Food Network shows, but Bam! fans still have plenty of opportunities to catch this lively chef on TV.
Beginning Monday, Lagasse will share his philosophy for fresh, top-quality foods with Planet Green viewers in the new series "Emeril Green." New episodes will air at 7 and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday through November on Planet Green. Discovery Communications launched the eco-lifestyle channel in June (check local listings for channel information).
On the show, Lagasse hopes to inspire families by using fresh and seasonal ingredients to solve their food dilemmas. Set in Whole Foods Market, Lagasse, store staff and other food experts help people shop for and handpick the best foods. The show promises to be educational and entertaining, exploring the difference between organic, locally grown and seasonal, tackling questions about quality, cost and taste and even braving some daunting food dares to help viewers face their culinary fears with an open mind and a healthy curiosity. Then Lagasse prepares a meal with a featured shopper that aims to demonstrate the convenience and ease of using organic and locally grown foods in daily meals.
Meet a grilling guru: Chef Craig Priebe, author of "Grilled Pizzas & Piadinas," will demonstrate techniques for making delicious pizzas on the grill, share tips for successful grilling and sign copies of his book from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Williams-Sonoma at Geneva Commons near Randall and Roosevelt roads in Geneva. For details, call the store at (630) 262-8390.
All that ales ya: More than 150 craft beers will be showcased Saturday at the second annual AleFest Chicago.
The event, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Soldier Field Stadium Green, brings to town some 50 world-class brewers pouring their ales, lagers and specialty beers.
The $40 ticket gets you a sampling glass, 20 sampling tickets and other AleFest paraphernalia. Additional tasting tickets can be had for $3 each; designated driver tickets go for $10. There will be live blues music by Joe Moss, sales of beer wearables and memorabilia, a silent auction of beer memorabilia and a raffle for beer collectibles. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter.
Local breweries tapping kegs for the fest include Emmett's, Flatlanders, Goose Island, MT Barrels and Two Brothers. Details at alefest.com/chicago.htm.
BBQ bash: Tickets are available through Friday for next week's star-studded Green City Market Summer BBQ.
James Beard award winner Carrie Nahabedian of Naha heads the lineup of celebrity chefs manning the grills from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the market, at the south end of Lincoln Park between Clark Street and Stockton Drive. Also trading in toques for barbecue aprons are "Top Chef" season four winner Stephanie Izard, Food & Wine magazine Best New Chefs Koren Grieveson of Avec and Giuseppe Tentori of BOKA and 40 or so other area chefs.
Tickets cost $50 for adults and $10 for children and are available at the market or online at thespicehouse.com.
Chicago's food firsts: A walking tour of Chicago will introduce participants to the birthplaces of the brownie and other famous foods as well as beverages and cooking equipment created in the Windy City.
Fabulous Food Firsts will take walkers around the Loop for two hours Aug. 2, focusing on history and architecture along with facts and fables about Chicago's food history. The tour costs $10 and departs at 10 a.m. from the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. Advanced registration is required. Call (312) 742-8497.
Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at food@dailyherald.com; (847) 427-4524 or c/o Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006.