Our Common Table: A Journey through L.A.’s Flourishing Culinary Communities

Rothenberg Hall, Huntington Library & Gardens

Book signing will follow the conversation. Reservations required - link coming soon.

Join Bill Esparza, author of L.A. Mexicano: Recipes, People, and Places and Elisa Callow, author of The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring and Eating on L.A.’s Eastside, in conversation with beloved hometown reporter and chronicler Val Zavala.

“The Los Angeles portrayed in cookbooks is swollen with creative vitality.”

India Mandelkern, Culinary Historian.

Elisa and Bill agree, but look beyond the widely-touted food trends of the moment to celebrate the authentic traditions that are the legacy of a multitude of food cultures. Both firmly believe that Los Angeles has always been a food city and that our city is just now waking up to its culinary brilliance. Come join the conversation.

Here’s an antidote to the advent of the holiday season overwhelm. Come to a holiday market and party that (1) celebrates local creatives, (2) supports artists, and (3) completes your growing holiday list with beautiful, one-of a kind gifts.

Event is free.

Featured Creatives:

Elisa Callow: Book signing of The Urban Forager cookbook and jams and marmalade

Ann Cutting: Pottery and photography

Kisa Ito: Jewelry

Margi Denton: Prints and fine art

Missy Finstead: Jewelry

Sally Krueger-Wyman: Photography

Beverly Lafontaine: Jewelry

Daniel Peacock: Illustration and totes

Simone Rein: Comics & stickers

Bonnie Saland: Design Textiles

William Stranger: Wood Art—utensils, furniture, containers

Masako Yatabe Thomsen: At Our Table

Bloom Ranch of Acton: pears, apples, honey and more.

Teresa Robinson: Bags, Textiles, and Pillows

…and more to come!

Join us for food, community, and inspiration!

Join Julie Campoy at San Marino’s beloved eatery, Julienne’s, to celebrate women creatives and to kick off the holiday season with extended store hours. A book reading will be followed by wine, snacks, and the opportunity to pick up books from our literary participants.

Full Details Here

Our readers include:

• Judith Teitelman

• Elisa Callow

• Martha Tolles

• Christine Moore

• Dianne Dixon

Book sales will be coordinated by Vroman’s Bookstore.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow at Descanso Gardens for a book signing and short, delicious presentation of The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on the Eastside

Register Here - Ticket Required

Join Elisa Callow, author of this year’s widely praised cookbook The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring and Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside, for Descanso Gardens’ first cooking series at the newly renovated Boddy House. Featuring accessible recipes that will appeal to novice and experienced cook alike, The Urban Forageralso celebrates Elisa’s community by showcasing one of L.A.’s richest and most rapidly expanding cooking cultures. Food makers representing the area’s diverse food traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and treasured neighborhood food resources. The cookbook includes recipes from Sumi Chang of Europane fame, Minh Phan, of porridge + puffs, and brilliant home cooks Mario Rodriguez, Rumi Mahmood, and Jack Aghoian. Part cookbook, part guide to foraging the best food purveyors L.A. has to offer, The Urban Forageris a compelling bridge to the unfamiliar and demonstrates how new discoveries can become a part of everyone’s cooking repertoire. 

On November 3rd Join Elisa for the final class of the year, Seasonal Salads. A refreshing look at the myriad forms of salad—fresh, marinated, and pickled—designed to bring out the best of hardy winter greens such as cabbage, kale, and lettuces. And class members will be encouraged to develop their own salads, based on our exploration of flavor profiles.

Join author Elisa Callow of the critically acclaimed cookbook,  The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside to learn more about the rich and growing food cultures and traditions of our east side communities. Cookbooks will be available for sale and our author will be signing!

TICKETS ARE REQUIRED - CLICK HERE

Deconstructing the Asian Supermarket with Elisa Callow, author of the critically acclaimed  The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside and Masako Yatabe Thomsen, a food maker profiled in the cookbook.  

For some, shopping at an Asian supermarket means entering a whole new world of culinary adventures and exploration—both exciting and daunting.  This class includes a field trip to Arcadia’s largest pan-Asian Food emporium, H Mart, where Masako and Elisa will tour the class through the market’s many delights. The market tour is followed by participatory cooking and experimenting with newly “foraged” ingredients. 

Class includes the cookbook: The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside and some basic ingredients. Class size is limited to 15. Registration link to be included.

Fashion, Floral, and Food Fabulousness– it’s Fall!

at Tuck and Southern Roots

Join Elisa Callow, author of The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside at two of Washington Boulevard’s newest boutiques enlivening our community.

Preview Tuck’s Fall fashion selections and collections, explore the floral and home decor at Southern Roots, and of course, enjoy generous tastes from The Urban Forager. Bubbly, cheeses, desserts, home baked breads and more.

The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside will be available for purchase and signing. Mary Hodgen of Tuck and Tillie Burke of Southern Roots will be on hand to welcome you all.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow and contributing chef Mario Rodriguez at Descanso Gardens for a book signing and short, delicious presentation of The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on the Eastside.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED - CLICK HERE

Join Elisa Callow, author of this year’s widely praised cookbook The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring and Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside, for Descanso Gardens’ first cooking series at the newly renovated Boddy House. Featuring accessible recipes that will appeal to novice and experienced cook alike, The Urban Forageralso celebrates Elisa’s community by showcasing one of L.A.’s richest and most rapidly expanding cooking cultures. Food makers representing the area’s diverse food traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and treasured neighborhood food resources. The cookbook includes recipes from Sumi Chang of Europane fame, Minh Phan, of porridge + puffs, and brilliant home cooks Mario Rodriguez, Rumi Mahmood, and Jack Aghoian. Part cookbook, part guide to foraging the best food purveyors L.A. has to offer, The Urban Forager is a compelling bridge to the unfamiliar and demonstrates how new discoveries can become a part of everyone’s cooking repertoire. 

Elisa will be joined by Mario Rodriguez, featured chef in The Urban Forager cookbook, for Deconstructing Salsa. Mario will demonstrate the remarkable variety of salsas, incorporating fresh and dried chiles and using the traditional comal pan. He will also share options for serving these versatile and iconic sauces.

All classes are hands-on and include a communal meal, group discussion, and cookbook purchasing and signing opportunities. Cost includes materials and recipes. Sign up coming soon. 

The Common Table: Stories of Community from The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow and moderator Leslie Ito and many of the food makers and food suppliers highlighted in The Urban Forager whose commitment to carefully sourced and crafted food has led to a supportive and growing community of women in food.

The Urban Forager will be available for sale and signing by the author before and after the presentation. 

Post presentation, join Elisa and food makers for tastes and products highlighted in The Urban Forager cookbook.

Here is one of Elisa’s favorite non-fiction books, authored by Elizabeth Wayland Barber,

Women’s Work: The First 20,000 Years

The ephemeral nature of women’s “work”: cloth, and of course food production means less awareness of its essential contributions to culture and society. 

Our panelists:

This program is free of charge and open to all. For participant bios, click here. See you soon!

Reservation required - link coming soon.

Join author Elisa Callow, photographer Ann Cutting, featured baker Masako Yatabe Thomsen, and Say Cheese’s Glenn Harrell for a celebratory Bread and Toppings party at one of L.A.’s great food emporiums—Say Cheese. Home crafted jams and marmalades and Say Cheese’s curated platters of charcuterie and seasonal cheeses and sour dough breads will complement the book signing of The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside. Say Cheese and L.A. Bread Bakers  are highlighted along with many other specialty stores and markets from the eastside.

Masako and Elisa will share a hefty sampling The Urban Forager’s featured desserts baked with a variety of freshly milled whole grains.

L.A. Bread Bakers members are invited to contribute to the party with your own baked delights.

Van de Kamp Hall: Join cookbook author Elisa Callow for a book signing and short, delicious presentation of The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on the Eastside at Descanso Gardens

TICKETS

Join Elisa Callow, author of this year’s widely praised cookbook The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring and Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside, for Descanso Gardens’ first cooking series at the newly renovated Boddy House. Featuring accessible recipes that will appeal to novice and experienced cook alike, The Urban Forageralso celebrates Elisa’s community by showcasing one of L.A.’s richest and most rapidly expanding cooking cultures. Food makers representing the area’s diverse food traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and treasured neighborhood food resources. The cookbook includes recipes from Sumi Chang of Europane fame, Minh Phan, of porridge + puffs, and brilliant home cooks Mario Rodriguez, Rumi Mahmood, and Jack Aghoian. Part cookbook, part guide to foraging the best food purveyors L.A. has to offer, The Urban Forageris a compelling bridge to the unfamiliar and demonstrates how new discoveries can become a part of everyone’s cooking repertoire. 

On July 20th Elisa Callow will return with a class on Pasta Two Ways, cut and filled. As we are in high tomato season, and herbs are in abundance, the class will join Elisa in making a very, very fresh tomato sauce to go-with, featuring beautiful basil.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow at Descanso Gardens for a book signing and short, delicious presentation of The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on the Eastside.

TICKETS

Join Elisa Callow, author of this year’s widely praised cookbook The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring and Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside, for Descanso Garden’s first cooking series at the newly renovated Boddy House. Featuring accessible recipes that will appeal to novice and experienced cook alike, The Urban Forageralso celebrates Elisa’s community by showcasing one of L.A.’s richest and most rapidly expanding cooking cultures. Food makers representing the area’s diverse food traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and treasured neighborhood food resources. The cookbook includes recipes from Sumi Chang of Europane fame, Minh Phan, of porridge + puffs, and brilliant home cooks Mario Rodriguez, Rumi Mahmood, and Jack Aghoian. Part cookbook, part guide to foraging the best food purveyors L.A. has to offer, The Urban Forageris a compelling bridge to the unfamiliar and demonstrates how new discoveries can become a part of everyone’s cooking repertoire. 

Elisa Callow will lead participants in the newly renovated Boddy House kitchen at Descanso for a deep dive into Seasonal Jam. Participants will make both stone-fruit and strawberry jam in celebration of one of foraging’s greatest delights: preserving the deliciousness of seasonal fruits.

All classes are hands-on and include a communal meal, group discussion, and cookbook purchasing and signing opportunities. Cost includes materials and recipes. Sign up coming soon. 

At Ivar and Selma (crossroads of the Market) 

Come say hello to Elisa and Ann! Check out this critically acclaimed and comprehensive guide to our food makers, recipes, and food sources. The cookbook, The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside will be available for sale and signing by the author, Elisa Callow and photographer, Ann Cutting. 

Class meets at the market’s information booth on Ivar and Selma.

Hello budding urban foragers! Join author Elisa Callow and photographer Ann Cutting of the newly released cookbook, The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside for a deep dive into Los Angeles’ most comprehensive farmers market. Elisa along with the market’s manager, Maegen Rzasa-Cleary, will introduce class participants to some of the fantastic food purveyors at the market culminating in a food photography workshop led by Urban Forager photographer Ann Cutting.

Described by many, including my foodie friends, as the best farmers’ market in Los Angeles, this is certainly the most extensive, with more than 160 farmers, producers, and food stalls. I often see chefs rushing by with large boxes of greens; many stop to chat with one another. Be prepared to walk slowly, carry a big bag, and take a friend. This experience moves us well beyond an errand; it is a form of communion with excellence.

FYI: 

•  Class is free of charge, but limited to 20 so sign up here asap as classes fill up quickly. 

•  Be sure to bring a smart phone (in other words a phone with a camera). All levels of photographic experience are welcome!

• Class participants will purchase their own “subject matter” (veggies, fruits, etc. from the market) for the shoot and for enjoying later. All are welcomed to bring props within reason although these will be provided. 

Join Elisa Callow, cookbook author and longtime Ojai Music Festival patron and past Board member, for a fun day of cooking and conversation about food!

Elisa, along with chef Masako Yatabe Thomsen and photographer Ann Cutting, will share tales and techniques of culinary foraging followed by a hands-on salad making class. You will create delicious salads while learning about new flavor pairings using surprising ingredients and local produce. The day will end with a communal alfresco lunch featuring the delicious creations made by our chefs and you!

Each participant will receive a signed copy of Elisa’s cookbook The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside.

All proceeds benefit the Ojai Music Festival and BRAVO Education and Outreach Programs.

Register by May 1 here.

Free event, ticket required. Event details and tickets available here

The Urban Forager in conversation with Val Zavala at the LA Times Festival of Books

Find us at the Main Cooking Stage on Sunday, April 14th 11:00 a.m. for a demo on the homey crepe in all of its foraged variations – turmeric, sweet delight featuring home made marmalades, with compound butters, and as an elegant rescue for all of our refrigerator’s end of the week bits and pieces. Val and I will introduce the demo with a discussion of the Eastside’s growing food heritages through the lens of demographic changes and our community’s growing awareness and appreciation of all things edible.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow and photographer Ann Cutting for a tasty book signing! The Urban Forager: Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside showcases one of California’s richest and most rapidly expanding culinary cultures: the eastside of Los Angeles. Food makers representing the eastside’s diverse traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and neighborhood resources. Cecilia Leung of Lincoln Café will be adding to the café’s menu with savory and sweet treats from The Urban Forager. Yum!

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow and Mario Rodriguez, exceptional home cook and co- food foraging obsessive, for a conversation about food, palate, surprising ingredients, and the creation of the cookbook, The Urban Forager: Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside. This event will take place at Cellar Door Bookstore. The Urban Forager showcases one of California’s richest and most rapidly expanding culinary cultures: the eastside of Los Angeles. Food makers—including Mario—who represent the eastside’s diverse traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and neighborhood resources.

For more details click here.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow and Minh Phan, chef at porridge + puffs, L.A.’s newest and beloved café in the heart of Historic Filipino Town, for a conversation about food, palate, surprising ingredients, and the creation of the cookbook, The Urban Forager: Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside. This event will take place at Chevalier Books. The Urban Forager showcases one of California’s richest and most rapidly expanding culinary cultures: the eastside of Los Angeles. Food makers—including Minh—who represent the eastside’s diverse traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and neighborhood resources.

Join Elisa and chef Mario Rodriguez for a delicious sit down lunch at Moles La Tia followed up by a tour of Boyle Heights’ treasure, El Mercado de Los Angeles.

More information available here.

Join us at the Glendale Central Library. More information available here.

Join Urban Forager author Elisa Callow, and featured chef Mario Rodriguez, for a joyful discussion of various forms of foraging, through seasons, cultures, and family stories. Elisa and Mario will share a generous helping of tastes from the cookbook. 

For full details visit the library website.

Join cookbook author and teacher Elisa Callow at the Altadena Library for a fun and informative conversation about the food, food makers, and specialty shops of our beloved eastside. The Urban Forager: Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside showcases one of California’s richest and most rapidly expanding culinary cultures. Food makers representing the this area’s diverse traditions share treasured personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and neighborhood resources.

For full information click here.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow and the chefs (From left: Minh Phan, Jack Agohian, Masako Yatabe Thomsen, Rumi Mahmood, Mario Rodriguez) who are the heart and soul of The Urban Forager: Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside at Vroman’s Bookstore. The Urban Forager showcases one of California’s richest and most rapidly expanding culinary cultures: the eastside of Los Angeles. Food makers representing the eastside’s diverse traditions share beloved personal recipes, ingredients, innovations, and neighborhood resources. Moderated by our own community treasure Val Zavala, the event will feature food and family stories, food tips, and tasty bites from the pages of the cookbook.

For full details click here.

Join cookbook author Elisa Callow and featured chef Jack Aghoian for a conversation about, palate, tips for foraging within our vast food communities, and surprising ingredients. The Urban Forager, Culinary Exploring & Cooking on L.A.’s Eastside showcases one of California’s richest and most rapidly expanding culinary cultures: the eastside of Los Angeles. Food makers representing the eastside’s diverse traditions share beloved yet accessible recipes ingredients, innovations, and neighborhood resources all designed to appeal to the novice and experienced cooks. Tastes and treats from the cookbook will be shared.

The Pacific Food & Beverage Museum showcases the work of those who have shaped, and continue to shape, our nation's cuisine and illustrates the rich culinary traditions of California, the American West, Pacific Rim, and beyond. 

Full information & RSVP available here.