Biscuits vs. Cornbread -- Hot Debate Item at Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium October 13-16

What are the odds the Lincoln-Douglas Biscuit-Cornbread Debate at the Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium (SFA) will have pollsters tallying and he-said, she-said sound “bites” flying across the airwaves? Could happen when Alabama biscuit roller Jennifer V. Cole and chef Kevin Gillespie, a Georgia skillet licker, exchange heated perspectives in the grand tradition of SFA debates over Pie vs. Cake and Traditional vs. Competition Barbecue. Batters up and butter pats at the ready for the debate at the SFA in Oxford, Mississippi, 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. Surely those biscuits are flaky and tender, but Gunshow/Revival Gillespie’s cornbread is backed by grandma.

Camp Bacon is Coming Soon - Sign Up For A Sizzling Week To Benefit The Southern Foodways Alliance

I'm not sure it gets much better than this. Almost a week away from work surrounded by bacon makers and bacon lovers and, well, bacon!! Join summer's pig-loving pilgrimage to Zingerman's Camp Bacon, May 31 - June 3 in Ann Arbor, Mich. for this delicious and educational experience. Campers will hear stories from a third-generation bacon maker and a South Carolinian who's a sustainable Southern hog farmer, view the inaugural Cinetopia Film Festival in the historic Michigan Theater, and partake in cooking, eating and finger licking. The main event fundraiser benefits Southern Foodways Alliance. Yes, even in Michigan, they love Southern food. Avoid the stampede and register now online.

Beef, Lamb and Chicken, Oh My!

Grass-fed beef and lamb and free-range chicken have earned a place for White Oak Pastures on many a regional restaurant menu and home dinner plate. These tender cuts are the culmination of long-term visions for sustainability and active stewardship by White Oak Pastures Owner Will Harris. Consider the big picture, and it's obvious why Harris will be inducted into the Fellowship of Southern Farmers, Artisans, and Chefs at the Southern Foodways Alliance Taste of the South, taking place January 12 - 15, at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn. The event, which also serves as a fundraiser for the Southern Foodways Alliance, is now in its eight year. The Fellowship of Southern Farmers, Artisans, and Chefs fosters camaraderie and mentorship and honors the bounty of the South and the hands that grow, nurture and interpret its harvest. The organization's vision is to provide a forum for farmers, chefs and artisans to break bread and share knowledge while reinforcing the sustaining bridge between field and table. After five generations of Harris family farming, White Oak Pastures has become the largest certified organic farm in Georgia and is one of only two on-farm, USDA-inspected, grass-fed beef plants in the country. The farm is home to the largest solar-powered barn in the Southeast. The solar-thermal system generates energy for the processing plant -- which happens to be the only on-farm poultry processing facility in the states of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Both the grass-fed beef and poultry plants are no-waste operations, meaning animal by-products are turned into organic fertilizer or compost for the farm's certified organic pastures.

Even if the Blackberry Farm event is not on your calendar, you can enjoy White Oak Pastures products at home. They are available at Whole Foods Markets and Publix supermarkets.

White Oak Pastures: 22775 Highway 27, Bluffton, GA; 229-641-2081.

[Photo Credit: Angie Mosier]

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @angiemosier

Angie Mosier has way more than one bun in the oven.  For the past 20 years, Mosier has been baking cakes with many being featured in Food & Wine, Veranda, Town & Country and Elegant Bride magazines plus books on entertaining.  That led to her becoming a food stylist. 

Now she's traveling the nation, gathering photos and recipes to fill "Truck Food Nation," a book in the works by John T. Edge.  She's the current board president of the Southern Foodways Alliance and a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.  And she still has time to Tweet and blog! 

Heading Back to School This Winter

In need of a last minute gift for that foodie friend? How about a cooking class at The Cook's Warehouse? The Cook's Warehouse has released its Winter 2011 class schedule offering almost 150 classes across a broad spectrum of culinary interests and skill levels. Classes cover everything from basic knife skills to global cuisines to gluten-free cooking. Some of the upcoming guest chef instructors include Chef Ronen Skinezes of Manta Ray in Tel Aviv, Chef Jay Swift of 4th and Swift, Chef Khaled Chebbi of Social Resto, Chef Bennett Hollberg of Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse and Shane Thompson of Shane's Rib Shack.

If you want to build on your gift - add a cookbook from one of the visiting cookbook authors slated to visit such as Rebecca Lang, "Quick-Fix Southern;" Angie Mosier, Virginia Willis, Steven Satterfield and Lynne Sawicki, "Southern Foodways Alliance Community Cookbook;" Gena Knox, "Southern My Way: Simple Recipes, Fresh Flavors;" and Anne Byrn, "The Cake Mix Doctor® Bakes Gluten-Free."

The Pinnacle of Potlucks

On Sunday, July 18, Serenbe and the Southern Foodways Alliance Skillet Brigade are hosting a “Southern Chefs Potluck” event at the Inn at Serenbe lake pavilion. A baker’s dozen of Atlanta-area star chefs such as Shaun Doty of Shaun’s and YEAH! BURGER, Ford Fry of JCT. Kitchen & Bar and Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill and Top Chef fame will do the cooking then sit down with the 150 guests for family-style dining. Each participating chef will contribute their favorite “Sunday Supper” side dish, a relish and a dessert for the event. The main dish will be White Oak Pastures beef prepared by Jim –n- Nick’s BBQ, and fried chicken legs from The Farmhouse. In addition to food and fellowship, guests will enjoy local beer and “Shine On Punch” mixed by Greg Best of Holeman & Finch. Potlucks don't get much better than this, so get your ticket now! Supper begins at 3 p.m.; tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased online or by calling 678-702-0400. “Southern Chefs Potluck” benefits Wholesome Wave of Georgia, a nonprofit organization that helps make healthy food accessible to all Georgia citizens while contributing to our local food economy. WWG uses private funds to double WIC and EBT coupons spent at partner markets and farm stands.


Inn at Serenbe: 10950 Hutcheson Ferry Road, Chattahoochee Hills, Ga.; 770-463-2610.