Supposing a Symposium

So, where in the world will you be able to find such international luminary food figures as Alice Waters, Ari Weinzweig, Myrtle and Darina Allen, Stuart Gates, Peter Ward, Luke Mangan, Penny Lange and a host of others, all in the one place at the one time?

The answer is Bord Bia's second Speciality Food Symposium, in Kinsale, County Cork, on the 11th and 12th of May.

Okay, so the brilliant Ms. Waters, of California's seminal Chez Panisse restaurant, and Mr. Weinzweig, of the legendary Zingerman's delicatessen of Ann Arbor, will be beaming in from the 'States courtesy of satellite, but the line-up of speakers who will be in the town promises a fascinating thrash through all the issues that concern artisan food producers: James Pyott and Julyan Wickham on design and architecture in a food context; Regina Sexton on culinary traditions; Penny Lange of Wicklow on Organics; Justin Rashid of Spoon Foods on food as a gift, Luke Mangan on new trends in Australia, to name a few.

The first Symposium three years ago was a huge success, but this one looks safe to exceed even that major event. In addition to the two days of Symposium settings, there will be an artisans market and an exhibition of Irish food art.

For a taste of what's in store, just check out these sites from some of the major participants:
www.zingermans.com
www.spoon.com
www.chezpanisse.com
www.bordbia.ie

Illustrations from zingermans.com

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