Mr. Gjerde goes to Washington
Spike Gjerde heads to Washington this morning to do some cooking -- and lobbying.
The Woodberry Kitchen chef will take part in National Small Farm and Ranch Grassroots Lobby Day, organized by the National Independent Consumers and Farmers Association.
Gjerde and others will voice opposition to a provision in a food-safety bill that would make it harder to buy directly from farmers.
"Bad for your farmers' market, bad for farm-to-table restaurants, bad for consumers in general," is how Andy Tzortzinis, who does PR for Woodberry, summed up the legislation.
The group's goal, as stated on NICFA's Web site: "To promote and preserve unregulated farmer-to-consumer trade that fosters availability of locally grown or home-produced food products."
Gjerde will be meeting with a U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary and reps for Sens. Mikulski and Cardin during the day. Come evening, he'll be one of five speakers at a reception for at least 500, many of them lawmakers. Celebrity farmer Joel Salatin will serve as emcee.
If Gjerde fails to woo the crowd with his words, perhaps his food will do the trick. He's helping to cater the reception.
"We're serving Gunpowder Bison Chili with Cheddar Skillet Cornbread and Circle C Oyster Stew with House-Baked Oyster Crackers," Tzortzinis said.
Sounds like the crackers alone could get a senator or two off the fence.
"They're like little cookies," Tzortzinis said. "They're incredible."
Sun photo by John Makely
Comments
Celebrity farmer???
Go, Spike!
Maybe I've coined something there, but where would all those celebrity farm-to-fork chefs be without the "celebrity farmers" supplying them with meats and produce? Their names are on the menus now, too. LV
Posted by: Dahlink | March 10, 2010 6:21 AM
I hope this event is a success. Yay, for local farmers!!
Posted by: NotableM | March 10, 2010 7:01 AM
I love that Circle C will help you to grow you own oyster farm. I wish I lived on the waterfront!
Posted by: Joyce W. | March 10, 2010 7:07 AM
I hope outlawing direct farm sales doesn't gain any traction. Most of the produce I actually trust come from farmer's markets. Yikes!
Posted by: Beth | March 10, 2010 8:05 AM
Artichokes are not local!!!
Posted by: BaltimoreJane | March 10, 2010 8:08 AM
Artichokes are not local!!!
Salt and pepper aren't local, either, but I wouldn't want to cook without them.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | March 10, 2010 8:18 AM
I just had my first delivery from South Mountain Creamery and I can't imagine not having direct from the farmer products.
Go SPIKE!
Posted by: Summer | March 10, 2010 9:02 AM
More info on the proposed Food Safety Enhancement Act, which has already passed the House, is available on NICFA's website. (You can also look up H.R. 2749 on THOMAS, the Congressional database website of the Library of Congress.) I haven't read all 159 pages of the current draft of the bill, but it appears that the bill wouldn't outlaw direct farm sales. However, it would impose additional regulations on farmers.
Posted by: hmpstd | March 10, 2010 9:31 AM
I totally applaud his pushing for local food appearing an restaurant and home tables. I just wish I liked Woodberry Kitchen. I've eaten there four times and it's been mediocre at best (unfortunately, my husband had to send his food back on our second visit there). I want to support it because of the mission, but I can't get past the food. I'd rather shop at the farmer's market and cook it myself.
Posted by: LA | March 10, 2010 3:31 PM
That photo is over 7 years old...that is the Atlantic kitchen in the background. You would not find an artichoke in Spike's kitchen these days as they are not grown in our area. Certainly there is a more up to date photo of Spike that could have been used.
Posted by: Judy | March 10, 2010 8:36 PM
What did you have that was so mediocre? I've found the staff there to be very helpful and accommodating if something is not enjoyed or cooked improperly. Did the manager do anything when you sent the food back? Judging by the crowds you seem to be in the minority. Usually a chef doesn't get a James Beard nod by serving barely mediocre food.
Posted by: Realitychecker | March 10, 2010 8:44 PM
judy, it's not like he's holding a dead hooker. it's freekin artichoke
Posted by: Anonymous | March 11, 2010 7:57 AM
I'm with VisitBaltimore and we just did a video with Spike Gjerde from Woodberry Kitchen. In the video he talks about the restaurant's menu and fresh produce as well as its location and ambiance! Check it out at http://bit.ly/amqaDj
Posted by: visitbaltimore | March 11, 2010 1:38 PM
Speak for us in Iowa who are so very proud of you.
Posted by: Aunt C | March 11, 2010 1:40 PM
yeah i hope the political side of the event went well, but dear god is there any chance there were any leftovers from that dinner you could send west? bison me!
Posted by: pete | March 11, 2010 11:25 PM