The Martha’s Vineyard annual Slow Food Summer Potluck will take place this Tuesday, July 20 at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. The event has several exciting features, one of which is the keynote speaker, legendary cookbook editor Judith Jones.
Judith Jones was a major figure in instituting and shaping the American food revolution. She spent her career publishing the works of some of the world’s greatest cooks, among them Julia Child. Ms. Jones was Ms. Child’s editor, helping to bring “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” to maturation and propelling the cook to become a household name. Ms. Jones’ character was portrayed clearly in the recent film on Ms. Child’s life, “Julia and Julia,” as an integral push in Ms. Child’s career. Other cooks Ms. Jones has published in her career include: Marion Cunningham, Madhur Jaffrey, Edna Lewis, and Joan Nathan.
“She has exposed millions of Americans to new ways of thinking and tasting during her 50-year career,” says The New York Times in the event’s press release. Ms. Jones comes to the Island through friend and summer resident Joan Nathan, also a Knopf published author.
Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard is part of a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members worldwide that seeks to link the pleasures of food with a commitment to community and the environment.
This year’s annual Slow Food event takes place from 6 to 9 pm. The theme is a potluck where guests are asked to bring a dish to serve six, as well as their own place settings and BYOB.
Vineyard Haven resident Tomar Waldman will be behind the scenes working to make the event “zero waste,” to ensure no trash will be left behind at the event’s end. Guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable place settings (cutlery, plates, cups, and cloth napkins that can be taken home and reused). Drinking water is encouraged from the tap. All leftovers will go to a farm to feed animals.
This year’s event is a fundraiser for the world sustainability conference in Italy called the Terre Madre, which is sponsored by Slow Food International. Three people from Martha’s Vineyard Slow Food will be attending.
Suggested donation for the event is $15; $10 for Slow Food members. Helpful hint: you might want to wrap your entrée in a cloth towel.
