Local Food Showcase Hosted by Chatham UniversityPittsburgh Magazine
Props to Chatham University and Heather Mikulas, of the Penn State Extension-Allegheny County and yumpittsburgh.com, for hosting "Local Food Showcase: A Grower/Buyer Event" yesterday afternoon. The first of what aims to become an annual event brought together chefs, farmers, retailers, wholesalers and students to strengthen the food infrastructure in our region. In case you weren't able to make it this year, here are some tastings to hold you over until next year: Six Penn Kitchen executive chef Keith Fuller, who celebrated his fifth anniversary with the restaurant this week, was on hand preparing Mexican chorizo and showcasing his expertise in charcuterie--we hope a small prediction of what's to come on Six Penn's menu (Pittsburgh, Pa). Beautiful cheese and fromage selections from Emerald Valley Farm Artisan Cheese, owned and operated by Alan and Alisa Fasnacht in Scenery Hill, Pa., about 40 miles south of the city. Our favorites? The smoked mozzarella and the roasted garlic with sundried tomato fromage, best served atop crackers or pasta. Look for Emerald Valley's products at Whole Foods and Giant Eagle Market District locations. Deliciously tart sour cherry jam picked, processed and packaged by Friendship Farms, located near Latrobe. Paired with Friendship's homemade whole wheat bread made from unbleached wheat flour, molasses and honey, this jam is just enough to tide us over until fresh fruit is ripe for picking again. Education from the Penn's Corner Farm Alliance , which connects numerous Pittsburgh restaurants to farms and providers in western Pennsylvania, on how and why to get seasonal, fresh produced delivered to your neighborhood weekly or biweekly throughout the late spring, summer and early fall. Penn's Corner is accepting reservations for its Community-Supported Agriculture programs this season and offers numerous pick-up locations around Allegheny County. For more information on the Penn State Extension-Allegheny County, visitallegheny.extension.psu.edu.