Long Needed Update: Word of Mouth Food Club
June 18, 2011
Writing while standing for the first time. Funny how unsettling it is, though I’m sure it will be fine once I get used to it. I am avoiding sitting for as long as I can because some of the motivation to quit my full time job was to minimize the time I spend with my butt strapped to a chair and my eyes glued to a computer. As a graphic designer, there aren’t many alternatives for working on a computer (none, actually), so I just have to get creative on how to make the necessary more pleasant/fun/healthy. Add to this my beloved’s sciatica issues, which have brought up extensive research on what to do and not to do to improve one’s condition, and sitting pops up on the “don’t” list for sciatica and many other situations such as, well, living (according to Corbett Barr sitting actually reduces your life span)… so here I am, standing, with my belly slightly pressed to the table (extra support, yay), and a gorgeous view in front of me (yes, I know, lucky)…
Standing office... with a view
but I digress: I’ve gone around the long way just to say that I have been remiss the last 6 months, and there is so much to report on! The Food Club was a hit (and continues on), sampling adventures abounded both locally and overseas (SF, Healdsburg, Ukiah, Tahoe, Mexico, Brazil), lots of new recipes (and important knowledge) from an 8-week Nutrition course at Bauman College, and leaving my almost 6-year gig at a commercial real estate firm (as Marketing Coordinator) to embark on the independent contractor train – and this train is riding fast! So I will be posting recaps for all of these outings, one at time, starting with the food club.
Word of Mouth Food Club: the first term of the food club was a huge success (one testament to this is that all of the 1st term club members have signed up for the 2nd term, starting today). Here is a little recap of our food explorations:
Nov 2010: Brazilian Cuisine, hosted by Word of Mouth at a private home in SF. Main dish: Moqueca de Peixe (Fish Stew). Ingredient of the Night: Coconut. Main Wine Pairing: Graziano’s Arneis.
The kick-off event: Brazilian cuisine and local wines. Made everyone plenty happy...
Dec 2010: Yemeni Cuisine at Saha (downtown SF). Main dish: Salmon Baklava. Ingredient of the Night: Chanterelle Mushrooms. Wine pairings by Saha (Proseco, Sauvingnon Blanc, Pinot Noir).
Saha - Yemeni Cuisine - photo by Shadia Fayne
Jan 2011: Indian/Pakistani Cuisine at Aslam’s Rasoi (Mission, SF). Main Dishes: Chicken Tikka Masala and Fish Tandoori. Ingredients of the Night: Cumin and Coriander. Wine pairings at Aslam’s Rasoi: Schmidt Riesling, Mark West Pinot Noir, and Graves Grenache Blanc.
Aslam's Rasoi - Pakistani/Indian Cuisine
Well filled full of Aslam's treats
Feb 2011: Italian Cuisine (Liguria Region) at Farina (Mission, SF). Main Dishes: Mandilli di seta al pesto struffugae (so good every member wrote about it in their comments sheet),Focaccia di Recco, and Filleto di dentine alla figure com palate (Snapper filet, pan seared, served Ligurian style). Wine pairings by Farina (Proseco, Sauvingnon Blac and Pinot Noir).
Focaccia di recco: thin and cheesy and absolutely oralgasmic
Just waiting for the focaccia...
Desserts are great... but the focaccia and pesto still beat them.
Feb 2011 #2: Master Class with Chef and Nutrition Consultant Lizette Marx (and Nutrition Consultant Geoff Marx) at a private home in SF. Main Dishes: Raw-violis with Pesto, Indian-inspired Root Stew, Wild Mushroom Pate with Homemade Gluten-Free Crackers, and Banana Mousse. Wine pairings: Graziano Arneis (back by popular demand) and Pinotage. The class was fun, informative, and members really felt connected with each other and the food. Members got to choose what they would be working on (appetizer, salad, stew, dessert, etc) and paired with those who were interested in the same dish… A new couple was born that night… need I say more?
Hands-on Word of Mouth
It was quite a voyage, and we are gearing up for the second term, which starts today (6/18)! If any of you out there would like to join the club, check out our website here and email me at wordofmouthsf@me.com. Today’s meeting is sold out but there are seats for the next 4 meetings, so jump on board! Meetings will happen once a month from June to October. We will be selecting the next cuisines during the first gathering and members get to throw in their favorite restaurants for selection.
Stay tuned for a recap of tasty adventures in and around town, along with Mexico and Brazil!
