WHNetwork Blog

Wikipedia: The locavore movement is a movement in the United States and elsewhere that spawned as interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness become more prevalent.[1] Those who are interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market, are called "locavores." The word "locavore" was the word of the year for 2007 in the Oxford American Dictionary.[2] This word was the creation of Jessica Prentice of the San Francisco Bay Area at the time of World Environment Day, 2005.[3] It is rendered "localvore" by some, depending on regional differences, usually.[4][5] The food may be grown in home gardens or grown by local commercial groups interested in keeping the environment as clean as possible and selling food close to where it is grown. Some people consider food grown within a 100-mile radius of their location local, while others have other definitions. I am guessing that there are relatively few out there in the industry who have not heard the term locavore, maybe even the related term for drinking what is produced locally, locapour. Over the past few years, the locavore movement has garnered more and more interest. The New Oxford American Dictionary even made the term their word of the year in 2007. Many people are discovering that eating locally has numerous benefits: food is more nutritious, tastes better, and fuel conservation is promoted by avoiding foods that has been trucked hundreds (or even thousands) of miles. Many restaurants are joining the movement, forming relationships with their local farming community, shopping their local Farmer's Market, some even growing their own produce. The movement is also spilling over onto wine lists as well, with restaurants featuring locally produced wines. Some examples include: Local restauranteur Sondra Bernstein has created "The Farm Project," a biodynamic farm, which consists of small plots of land behind two of her Sonoma, CA restaurants, the girl & the fig and ESTATE, and even has a share cropper agreement with close-by Glen Ellen winery, Imagery Estate. Sondra and her team are trying to be true to what they believe in by using organic, local and sustainable produce. (See blog post it by Megan Conniff here) Local Culinary Program, Relish Culinary Adventures has teamed up with award-winning Grape Leaf Inn to offer the Sonoma Locavore Experience" a three-day tour packagethat features visits to organic and biodynamic vineyards, family farms, local restaurants and other area businesses that are dedicated to sustainability. And don't think you need to be on the farm to grow produce! Seattle restaurant Bastille installed a 4,500 square foot garden of raised-bed planter boxes on their roof to grow their own lettuces and herbs. Regarding the Locapour movement, last year the San Francisco Chronicle reported that local vintners were voicing complaints against locavore restaurants that glorified local food, but stocked their lists with imported wines. Washingtonian magazine food critic Todd Kliman took the argument national with his post on TheDailyBeast.com "The Locavore Wine Hypocrisy." The National Restaurant Association even announced last January that the #1 trend in alcoholic beverages is “locally produced wine and beer,” and be sure to check out the"Drink Local Wine" blog. Since being coined in 2005, the locavore trend just seems to be growing bigger each year, with apparently no end in sight. Have you seen any cool or cutting edge locavore-related ideas being implemented? Let me know! -Margie

The subject of last week’s newsletter was “Cooking Reality Shows” and also included a survey on what you, our readers, think about the whole subject. Well, the results are in; and as usual they have a pretty wide range, however, there is some consensus on what shows are best. Keep reading and we’ll tell you about the next show that will be casting soon.

First, let’s talk about popularity. It appears that most of you watch at least one of these shows, even if only occasionally. How much you watch and what you feel about each show is completely consistent. The inconsistency comes in when you were asked if you would want to be one of the shows – I think the financial motivation weighed in here (or do you just want to claim your 15 minutes of fame?)

The shows, in order of popularity are:

1. Iron Chef
2. Top Chef
3. The Next Food Network Star
4. Throwdown with Bobby Flay
5. Hell’s Kitchen

Now, let watch the order change when asked if you would want to be on one of the shows – here they are in order of desire:

1. Hell’s Kitchen
2. Throwdown with Bobby Flay
3. Top Chef
4. The Next Food Network Star
5. Iron Chef

I am glad we started the discussion, and I thank you for participating. I think it is a more important subject than it appears on the surface. Let’s keep the dialogue up! To view others opinions & comments on the subject, take our survey..

The Wine Makers - Wine Making Reality Show :: Casting Begins In October

I recently heard of the Winemaker reality show. The casting for Season 2 is beginning in October of this year, so for all you budding winemakers, maybe this is your chance.

The first season has already been shot and will air in early 2009. The show THE WINE MAKERS joins twelve men and women from all walks of life, as they compete for a chance to create and launch their very own wine label. Set in California, the six-part series takes viewers inside the wine industry. The cast will experience every aspect of wine making from viticulture and oenology to sales and marketing, but only one will win the opportunity launch their own wine label nationwide.

Shooting for the first season of THE WINE MAKERS series took place in Paso Robles along California's central coast. Season one of THE WINE MAKERS was slated to begin airing on PBS stations nationwide in October 2008 but to avoid competing with election coverage it has been rescheduled for first quarter 2009. Season II of THE WINE MAKERS will begin principal shooting in Napa and Sonoma in October 2008 and is slated to air on PBS stations nationwide in the fourth quarter 2009. Casting calls for season II will take place throughout the United States. For more information about how to audition for season II, click here.

Comments on this article? Have an idea for another opinion survey? Email me!