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Event Mon Mar 07 2011
Family Farmed Expo 2011
Chicago's very own swarming of locavores and farmers unite March 17-19 for the Family Farmed Expo at the UIC Forum to help consumers learn more about good food and where to find it, to help restaurants connect with farmers and to help chefs connect with you. This three day extravaganza is a trade show, conference, and all around local foodie fest open to anyone who may be interested.
Thursday and Friday's programming is target more towards financiers, producers and purchasers of local products on a commercial level, but Saturday is your best bet for the common folk like us. Starting at 9 am they'll have workshops on how to raise your own bees and chickens, how to preserve local food (think canning, freezing, drying), how and where to get involved in the local food scene and more. Here's the full list.
Stephanie Izzard kicks off a round of chef demos target to teach us what to do with that beef heart and fennel root that you pick up at your farmers market. These local agriculture-supporting chefs have been paired with a family farm, who will provide the ingredients. Chef's include Bill Kim (Urban Belly/Belly Shack), Paul Virant (Vie), Chris Pandel (the Bristol).
Tickets for the event are $10 for the exhibits and chef demos only, $25 to gain access to the workshops if you buy your tickets online in advance. Plus, if you're a dedicated locavore and looking for a party to eat, drink, and listen locally on Friday night, Localicious will feature about 20 restaurants, wineries, distilleries and breweries for a mere $75 a ticket.