Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Parker Effect


Parker Bosley was talking about the importance of cooking with fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and working with small farmers around northeast Ohio to supply the restaurants he ran long before such practices became the reigning mantra of the food world. A culinary educator, activist, and agricultural advocate as well as chef, Bosley’s had a tremendous influence on those who cook professionally around the region. A family tree of Cleveland area chefs would reveal that many trace a connection to him and his way of thinking.

He was a man with a mission-driven menu for 20 plus years but in 2006 Parker left the restaurant business to work more closely with growers and producers, exert influence on public policy, and do his best to reinvent the way we think about and source what we eat.

Bosley’s vision and accomplishments will be celebrated on Sunday, January 24 during a brunch held at St. Ignatius High School. The event is a fundraiser for Innovative Farmers of Ohio, a group dedicated to sustainable food production. Tickets are $50 per person, and I’ve already bought mine. I very much want to be there to show support for all he’s done, but I must admit that knowing the meal is being prepared by such kitchen luminaries such as Heather Haviland, Ben Bebenroth, Karen Small, Andy Strizak, and Doug Katz makes the occasion even more enticing.


$125 gets you brunch and an invitation to a private reception before the event at Light Bistro.

Seating is limited so if you want to attend you need to act fast. The original deadline for buying tickets has been extended to January 14. View details and make reservations using Paypal here or go to http://www.ifoh.org/. Checks made out to Innovative Farmers of Ohio can be mailed to Parker Tribute c/o Mary Holmes 1800 Berkshire Road Gates Mills, Ohio 44040. Email questions to parkertribute@gmail.com or call 440-423-859.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You've written a wonderful tribute to Parker in you short message. I wanted to let readers know that the deadline for registration has been extended to 1/15 and they can veiw the entire invitation here:
http://www.host.unitydesign.biz/IFO/invite.html
The phone number to call is 440-423-0859 Mary K. Holmes