Fermentation is the New Broccoli

Festival, Feast and Fermentation Gurus at Unique Sonoma County Celebration

Freestone, California - In Sonoma’s fabled West County the tiny town of Freestone is about to become the hot spot for devotees of cuisine’s newest darling: fermentation. Saturday, May 21, at the Third Annual Freestone Fermentation Festival, guests can sink their hands into vats of sauerkraut, learn the intricacies of making cheese, watch a kombucha judging contest, and hear experts discuss fermentation as it relates to health and the environment.

Food celebrities

Sandor Katz, fermentation’s rock star, and David Blume, globally recognized for his work in sustainability and ecology, headline the panel of speakers, as many of Sonoma’s finest musicians entertain throughout the day, from noon until 5 pm. Expect to see a number of people famous in the food world strolling about, including Michael Pollan of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, who’s including a section on fermentation in a forthcoming book.

Everything’s fermented

The latest buzzword in food, fermentation is celebrated by all who appreciate the taste of wine or beer, a fine sourdough, or a plateful of sauerkraut. But lately, it’s the health benefits of fermentation – and microbial culture - that have grabbed the attention of foodies, doctors and nutritionists. Have fun finding out why at the festival, and learn even more at the symposium and dinner.

Back to the Future

As old as civilization, fermentation is enjoying a tasty revival based on the enthusiasms of nutritional experts, artisanal food makers and advocates such as Katz, author of Wild Fermentation. Recently profiled in The New Yorker, Katz is among a stellar line up of fermentation specialists at Friday’s symposium.  For tickets, directions, and more information, go to www.freestonefermentationfestival.com.

Beneficiary

Proceeds from Fermentation Festival, feast and symposium benefit the Ceres Community Project, a Sonoma County non-profit that in only five years has become a vital resource for families with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The mission of Ceres is to teach teens about growing, preparing and serving healthy food; last year the non-profit cooked and served 26,000 nutritious meals for local families, and is today the model for at least five similar non-profits opening nationwide. (www.ceresproject.org)