Food For Thought

Food For Thought
An evening at Connecticut Forum

My daughter treated me to an evening at Connecticut Forum.
The topic was "Food For Thought", and there was plenty of food for both the body and mind.
Read on.

The table set for dinner.

Connecticut Forum Mission: To encourage the free and active exchange of ideas in Forums which inform, challenge, entertain, inspire and build bridges among all people and organizations in our community.

This Forum was all about food. The panelists for the evening were Alice Waters, Anthony Bourdain and Duff Goldman.

The sponsor dinner was held at The Social Room, a former bank that was converted in an exquisite banquet facility. The evening started off with hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants. Rizzuto's provided us with Wild ramp and Morel Mushroom Risotto, The Counter offered us Turkey Chili with Dried Cranberries and Scallions, while Besito showcased it's Ceviche and Guacomole and Fleming's won my vote with Sliced Tenderloin accented with a Chipolte Cheddar Sauce atop mini Fleming's Potatoes. During the cocktail hour the panelists and moderator were available to speak with if you were so inclined.

The dinner that followed started with a salad of Roasted Asparagus with sliced Blood Orange and Carrot Curls tossed with Shallot and Orange Vinaigrette atop garlic Toast points. There were two main courses offered - Herb Crusted Roasted Chicken served with Basil Whipped Potato, Roasted Cauliflower with a Natural herb jus and Fried Garlic Garnish or Grilled Layered Vegetables atop a bed of Israeli Couscous over a Roma Tomato Puree. I chose the chicken dinner which was excellent. Oh yes, and wine, soothing wine.

And then of course there was dessert, delectible dessert. We were offered quite a sampling of mini treats from Whole Foods Market. The flower bowl center piece doubled as the dessert stand for a wonderful plate consisting of Petite Fruit Tart, Petite Truffle Cake, Petite Pear Frangipane Tart, Petite Chocolate Raspberry Tart, Petite Mouse filled Puff, Carmelita Bar and Lemon Bar. I tasted as many as could without looking glutonous.

After the dinner everyone made their way to the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. The Bushnell was sold out and the demand for this event was so great they offered a simalcast at the Wallace Stevens Theater.

The panelists offered their insights on TV cooking shows, organic foods & cooking, their inspirations, and their shows or restaurants. Their take on these subjects was humurous at times and heated and serious at others.

The upcoming season (2009-2020) will offer Forums such as Revolutionary Thinkers: An amazing assortment of entrepreneurs and innovators you should know.; Not Really Real... It's Satire: Laughing at ourselves, the news, pop culture, the media and more.; Dealing with Change: A conversation: Finding our footing as the ground shifts beneath out feet. An evening of answers and insights.; and Forum Music Fest: A celebration of music in our lives.

This was my third forum and I certainly hope I get to attend another.