Award-winning author Jessica Theroux kicks off our show this week.  Jessica was on the show last year talking about her book, Cooking with Italian Grandmothers.  In May the book won the coveted International Association of Culinary Professionals 2010 Judge's Choice Award.

This month Jessica is featured in Food and Wine magazine (September issue).  The article, Healthy Dinner in an Hour, includes a quick seasonal menu.  Also, on August 27 to commemorate Chez Panisse's 40th anniversary and raise money for Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard Project, Jessica was one of many chefs who participated in ten benefit dinners in different locations around Berkeley, California.

Plus, the studio was buzzing with the new class of culinary students at Indian Hills (after all, it is the third Wednesday when we feature the program directed by Chef Gordon Rader).  It was a real thrill for me to meet and talk with the students on Monday in their Studio restaurant on the IHCC campus.  The energy in that room was sizzling.  I can't wait for all of you to meet them.

David van Riet, a graduate of the IHCC program, will coordinate the food preparations.  Right now we're looking at fixing some local okra and Oregon pink shrimp.  Separate or together-we don't know yet or what other ingredients we'll use.  I'm lobbying for fried okra with a buttermilk batter.