WASHINGTON (Sept. 10, 2015)—It’s a vital time for the food industry, with an increased focus on how to make food easier to access in low-income communities, healthy eating and the local food movement. A food philosopher and several celebrity chefs will discuss many of these popular topics during Lisner’s fall food series.
Throughout October and November, the auditorium will host celebrity chefs Ina Garten, Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis; America’s Test Kitchen Live; and author Michael Pollan. The food series will focus on the latest commentary on sustainable living, home cooking and food science. It was created to support Lisner’s commitment to bringing an assortment of acts to its audiences.
“Food, like music, brings us together in a way that we may not otherwise get the chance to,” said Maryann Lombardi, director of GW’s Lisner Auditorium. “The series includes well-known chefs and commentators that will share their thoughts on various food topics.”
Ms. Garten will come to Lisner on Oct. 8 to share stories behind her hit television series, bestselling cookbooks and her love of enjoying food with friends and family. Ms. Garten attended GW, is a culinary icon, author and host of the Emmy- and James Beard-award winning Food Network show “Barefoot Contessa.” Ms. Garten will be joined on stage by the Washington Post’s Bonnie Benwick, in what will be an insightful look into the life of the Barefoot Contessa. The audience will have an opportunity to ask questions following the interview. Autographed copies of “Make it Ahead” can be pre-ordered now at www.williams-sonoma.com/inagartentour for pickup at the event. Pre-ordering is strongly recommended, as there will be a limited supply available for purchase on the night of the event.
On Oct. 14, a few days before World Food Day (Oct. 16), America’s Test Kitchen Live will hit Lisner’s stage. Christopher Kimball, host of the television show “America’s Test Kitchen,” and Dan Souza, a test cook for the show, will recreate their famous kitchen on the Lisner stage. They’ll set up experiments, rate cooking equipment, perform taste tests and investigate the science of cooking. The live demonstration will also take attendees behind the scenes to reveal some of the show’s most harrowing bloopers (including a nearly disastrous smoke incident), provide unusual examples of how people cook at home and end with a question-and-answer session.
Closing out a jam-packed month of food-related events, on Oct. 21 Lisner will host Mr. Pollan in conversation with Renee Montagne, host of NPR’s “Morning Edition.” For 25 years Mr. Pollan has written about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect, challenging and changing how Americans relate to food. An ethical-eating proponent and advocate of sustainable living, Mr. Pollan is one of the most compelling and influential voices on subjects ranging from the environment to agribusiness to health. Mr. Pollan is the author of “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” “Cooked,” “In Defense of Food” and “The Botany of Desire.” He is currently working on a new project, “The Trip Treatment,” a narrative exploring the current renaissance of scientific and medical research into psychedelic drugs.
The auditorium’s food series ends with Giada De Laurentiis on Nov. 7. She is the Emmy Award-winning star of Food Network’s “Everyday Italian,” “Giada at Home” and “Giada in Paradise.” She is also a judge on “Food Network Star,” a contributing correspondent for NBC’s “Today Show” and the author of seven New York Times bestselling books. Joined by a moderator, Ms. De Laurentiis will share her inspiration for her newest cookbook “Happy Cooking.” An audience question-and-answer session will follow the interview.
Media interested in covering shows in the food series must contact Kurie Fitzgerald at [email protected], or 202-994-6461.
Tickets may be purchased by calling Lisner’s box office at 202-994-6800 or by visiting www.lisner.gwu.edu. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the GW Lisner box office. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon-6 p.m. Also, visit www.lisner.gwu.edu for information about other performances this year.
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