What's Happening This Week: Farmer Ben Flanner Cooks; Author Leda Meredith Preserves

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Brooklyn Grange's Ben Flanner Guest-Chefs
Cabrito
Monday, August 30
Brooklyn Grange, the rooftop farm in Long Island City that's been supplying several of the city's restaurants with fresh, local produce all summer, is getting more than its veggies in the kitchen tonight. Head farmer Ben Flanner will exchange overalls for chef's whites as he helps executive chef David Schuttenberg prepare a meal showcasing the season's best produce from the Grange, including fresh salsa featuring more than 40 varieties of heirloom and cherry tomatoes. Ten percent of the proceeds go back to the farm.

From Marseille to Monaco: The Food & Wine of Southern France
Astor Center
Tuesday, August 31
Discover the Italian-, Spanish-, and North African-influenced cuisine of the French Mediterranean in this $125 cooking and tasting class. There will be Provençal specialties like pissaladière, Nice's "petits farcis," and grilled tuna steaks flavored with olive oil and herbs from Marseille. Participants will also learn how to make "naked ravioli," better known across the Italian border as gnudi, as well as a Monaco-inspired dessert of hot spiced oranges. Each course will be paired with wines from the region.

Preserving the Harvest With Just Food
Whole Foods Bowery
Tuesday, August 31
Learn how to eat affordably and sustainably in this $25 food-preservation class. The last in the Just Food series features Leda Meredith, author of The Locavore's Handbook: The Busy Person's Guide to Eating Local on a Budget, sharing safe and easy food-preservation methods that don't require fancy canning equipment. The menu will include Kimcheed Carrots, Hot Peppers in Vinegar, Homemade Veggie Soup Bouillon, and Eggplant With Herbs in Oil, and proceeds from the class go toward Just Food.

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