Gathering Around the Oldways Table

Oldways will talk about Setting the Oldways Table at the Brattle Theatre tomorrow, Wednesday, March 28, at 6:00pm. A reception will follow at Casablanca Restaurant. Tickets for the event are $3, and tickets for the event and the reception at Casablanca Restaurant are $55. Tickets are available at Harvard Book Store and by calling 617-661-1515.

Some of us have neither the time nor the money to eat well. Often, Ramen or Campbells are considered food groups in their own right. And there's a good reason why Whole Foods is jokingly nicknamed "Whole Paycheck."

There's a downside to that. We forget how food is made and winds up on our table, taking for granted the abundance that lets us choose what we get to eat.

But, if you have a little time to spare, you might want to visit the Oldways Table panel discussion in honor of the Oldways Table cookbook.

Oldways isn't a restaurant or group of buddies. They refer to themselves as a "Food Issues Think Tank" in that they are endorsing a specific food philosophy, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean diet. They're a lot like West Coast foodie queen Alice Waters in that they promote what's organic. However, Oldways seems a little more accessible and a touch more scientific.

Members of the Oldways team will be discussing what they think makes the "perfect meal." The group includes chefs Steve Johnson (Rendezvous) and Marian Morash (of the Victory Garden), restaurateur Sari Abul-Jubein, Harvard Professors Frank Sacks and Hannia Campos, Oldways' Dun Gifford and Sara Baer-Sinnott, and Yankee Food Editor Annie Copps. (You see from the professors where the "think tank" term comes in.)

If you fork over the cash for the reception at Casablanca Restaurant, which Abdul-Jubein owns, you'll get a copy of The Oldways Table, a drink ticket, and some "traditional nibbles." But, if you're looking to save, you could always pick up a copy of the book and try some of the recipes at home.

Image of The Oldways Table from Oldways' official site.