by Adelie Salagnac
The Philly Farm & Food Fest brings the farm to the city, and you’re all invited. Spend the day eating your way through workshops and exhibitors, while supporting our local community, and you could even be chosen to win a private chef’s dinner at Talula’s Table, which is worth $500. There are sure worse ways to spend a Sunday afternoon!
The festival, hosted by Fair Food and Kitchen Table Consultants, has a lot to offer: vendors, a full schedule of workshops, demonstrations and lessons. There is something to do for anyone, at any time. I had the pleasure of talking to the very kind and passionate Jen Brodsky of Kitchen Table Consultants.
“Our goal is to connect our incredible, hardworking, talented, imaginative and inspired regional producers with industry professionals and consumers in the Philadelphia Region,” says Brodsky. “The other, and equally important side of that goal, is to inspire attendees, introduce them to the local products being made in their community, and help them plan their year of local eating. Farm animals, samples galore, classes and workshops all day are the cherry on top!”
It quickly became clear that the Philly Farm & Food Fest is an event no food-lover should miss. Brodsky says: “I’m excited for so much of the free, limited seating programming we are offering this year, such as Aimee’s cheese bar, where attendees will get a private guided tasting with Aimee, or Emilio from DiBruno Brothers. So much to look forward to!”
Currently in their 5th edition, the Philly Farm & Food Fest is coming back this year with its biggest and best line-up ever. What is there to look forward to this year’s edition? Brodsky, as excited as I am, has trouble choosing just one highlight. She shares with us:
“This year has so many new elements and exciting highlights, it is hard to pick just one. We have several new areas of interest that complement the 130+ exhibitor marketplace, including the Curd Convention hosted by Aimee Olexy with 20+ local cheese makers and mongers, the PF3 Kitchen where chefs from across the city will be working with farmers showcasing their work together, highlighting the close connections and ‘behind the scenes’ look at how farmers and chefs work together.”
This year also marks the beginning of the Grain Exhibit, featuring farmers, millers and bakers showcasing not just the grains that are being grown here, but also the process to get them to YOUR kitchen, and how YOU can bake and cook with this amazing local product. You are the real star of the Philly Farm & Food Fest, so make sure you don’t miss it. Any day spent eating well, is a day well spent.
What: Philly Farm & Food Fest
When: April 10th, 2016
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Hall F
How much: $20 online, $25 at the door
Info and tickets available at http://phillyfarmfest.org/
