Previously known as one of the outstanding venues for music and performance in Montgomery County, Strathmore has taken a leap into the world of the taste buds with “Appetite – A Gastronomic Experience,” two days of talking, cooking and sampling in August. I had a good time at the inaugural event, and hope it becomes another annual date on our local culinary calendar.
Two headline acts occupied the stage at the Music Center on Friday and Saturday evenings. I had a conflict on Saturday, so I did not catch Andrew Zimmern, but on Friday I joined a hoard of fans to hear Giada de Laurentiis speak and cook.
Giada On Stage
Giada Close Up
Now, I don’t usually watch daytime television, but Giada’s show is on while I use the treadmill at the gym. (What kind of person watches the Food Channel while working out? Let us set that question aside for now.) She whips up delicious-looking meals while inspiring lifestyle envy over her California-casual house and garden. She uses olive oil, sugar and cream with abandon while never gaining an ounce. She’s cute as a button. I hate her.
But she’s also disarmingly endearing and knows how to please a crowd at a live event. She started out asking for audience participation with a twist – three men (a sparse demographic in that audience) to build muffalettas.
The Guys Build a Muffaletta
There were questions about her daughter and her aunt, her go-to family meal (Turkey Meatloaf with Feta and Sun-dried Tomatoes), and her favorite cake (her fellow Food Network star Ina Garten’s Seven-Layer Fudge Cake).
Then it was time for the second recipe, also with audience participation. This time it involved actual cooking and the other gender: Tortellini with Pea Pesto and Pancetta.
Cooking Tortellini
The Big Screen
And a final question: What would Giada be if not a chef? A Formula 1 race car driver.
That was Friday. Saturday proved to be so full of scheduled demos, talks and music that one person could attend only a fraction of them. Still, I gave it my best shot. (That’s another post.)
