On Thursday, Nov. 15, Julia Child Cookbook of the Year winner Deborah Madison (no relation to Dolly) will be the guest of honor at this year’s Elegant Autumn Evening. Madison is the author of an abundant crop of vegetarian titles such as The Greens Cookbook and Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating from America’s Farmers’ Markets. Sponsored by the merchants of Flying Star Plaza on Rio Grande, the evening’s shop and stroll is a celebration of New Mexican taste. It also marks the 23 rd birthday party of locally owned and operated cookbook haven Bookworks. And what’s a birthday without cake? The bookstore will dole out slices as Chef Madison signs and discusses her newest offering, Vegetarian Suppers (Broadway, $19.95). Madison was raised a "farm kid" who began cooking as a student at the San Francisco Zen Center in the late ’60s. As such, her plant-loving personal taste is informed by locality and seasonality, though she’s not a "card-carrying vegetarian.""One can’t just get gushy about food without knowing something of its story—how it comes to us and what sustains it," she says on her website. "That’s what makes it interesting, if not urgent, to me." Madison will make the trek from her residence in Galisteo, N.M., to explain buzzwords like "locovore" and pass out savory samples from the book. Can’t make the event? Call Bookworks at 344-8139 to reserve a signed copy of Vegetarian Suppers .
Go Ahead—It'z For Free
Before the holidays get too crazy, you might consider dropping what you’re doing and having a slice of pizza. Your adrenal glands will thank you. And this week, your wallet will, too. Through Friday, Nov. 16, iT’Z is inviting all moms to eat for free—that includes pizza, salad, tacos, pasta, soup, potatoes and dessert at no charge. The following week, the kidcentric buffet- and activity-center invites all uniformed, active military, police officers, firemen and EMTs to eat for free on Monday, Nov. 19, Tuesday, Nov. 20, and Friday, Nov. 23. Then on Wednesday, Nov. 21, iT’Z is offering a deep discount on buffets to everyone, all day long. Try not to hurt yourself. That’s the day before Thanksgiving, after all. iT’Z is located at 4595 San Mateo NE. Call 883-3677 for details.
