How To Be A Locavore Series starts June 11, 2008

How to Be a Locavore

Learn how to be a locavore at 312 Chicago's weekly dinner series, kicking off Wednesday, June 11, 2008.

Join Executive Chef Dean Zanella for his new weekly dinner series, preparing Chicagoans for Green City Market's 2nd Annual Locavore Challenge. From guest speakers to recipes, tips and how-to's, the 5-course wine dinners will offer a wealth of information on this eco-conscious eating movement. The cost of the dinner is just $50, $75 with wine. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (312) 696-2420.

Chef Zanella will source local ingredients at Green City Market each Wednesday, then prepare a feast featuring local products from the market and other sources within a 200-mile radius of the restaurant. A few exceptions will be noted, including items such as salt, pepper, cocoa, coffee, olive oil and wine.

"This movement is really about thinking about what you eat and where it comes from, rather than about rigid rules," Zanella said. "It is more likely to become part of your everyday life if you approach it with an eye toward being realistic rather than being fanatical. My idea is always to take extra measures in other parts of my life if I make exceptions to the "local" guideline. That way, I can drink great Italian wine and make an extra effort to offset the carbon footprint in a substantive way. Everyone needs to create their own boundaries."

How to Be a Locavore will be held every Wednesday from June 11, 2008 "until the produce runs out," according to Chef Zanella. The 2nd Annual Locavore Challenge, hosted by Green City Market, runs September 10 to 24, 2008. Reservations for the dinners can be made anytime between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

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Chicago Locavores: Meet Your Food
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www.chicagolocavores.com