Despite threatening weather reports all week, nothing could dampen the spirits of nearly 120 alumni, parents, former faculty and staff, and friends who gathered for the Second Annual Taste of Sidwell Friends on Sunday, June 5. A total of 18 alumni were highlighted in the event, sharing samples of their various ventures in the culinary world. Returning presenter Eduardo Harth ’97 once again shared his delicious yucca gnocchi (this year, served straight from the “Just Gnocchi” food truck!), prepared boiled or fried and with a variety of sauces. “What an amazing way to gather the SFS community, and . . . an incredible event to reconnect with classmates and fellow alumni,” Eduardo commented. New to this year’s event, author and blogger Emily Paster ’92 came with copies of her new cookbook, Food Swap, as well as samples of delicious candied ancho chile pecans. “By putting together this event, Sidwell Friends recognizes how careers in the culinary field have exploded in the past decade and how many different ways there are to be a culinary professional,” Emily commented. She continued, “[This] has the effect of inspiring current students and recent alums. From a personal standpoint, I was touched by how many former teachers and classmates made a point of coming to see me and celebrate the publication of my first book with me.”

Marika Cutler Meyer ’94, president of the DC Regional Club Committee who sponsored the event, noted, “Many friends commented that they had no idea so many SFS alums are working in such a wide variety of culinary arts! This year’s event was a huge success thanks to all the alumni who attended, and especially those whose culinary talents were highlighted.”

Photos from the event can be found here, and all participants are listed below.

Are you a chef, caterer, food critic, wine maker, cookbook author, farmer, or doing something else amazing in the culinary world? Let us know! E-mail alumni@sidwell.edu if you are interested in being a participant in next year’s Taste of Sidwell Friends.

Bill Edelblut ’69 – O’Donnell’s Market (Potomac, MD)
Andy Gable ’02 – Hop & Wine Beverage (Washington, DC)
Eduardo Harth ’97 – Just Gnocchi Food Truck (Montgomery County, MD)
Ben Jordan ’97 – The Airdale (Washington, DC)
Ralph Lee ’00 – Mindful Restaurant Group (Ghibellina, Acqua al 2, Harold Black, Sotto, and Denson; Washington, DC)
Bethany Milroy ’04 – Morrison-Clark Historic Inn & Restaurant (Washington, DC)
Emily Paster ’92 – blogger and cookbook author (Chicago, IL)
Brooke Parkhurst ’85 – Triple Oak Bakery (Sperryville, VA)
Pablo Elliott ’95 – The Latitude Movement (Manchester, VT)
Julia Hastings-Black ’00 – cookbook author
Johnisha Matthews Levi ’95 – pastry chef, Farmstead Table (Newton, MA)
Linda McKittrick ’82 – farmer and bee keeper (Tucson, AZ and Sonora, Mexico)
Craig McNamara ’68 – farmer and activist (Winters, CA)
Joni Miller ’06 – Cowbell Kitchen (Washington, DC)
Emily Kaiser Thelin ’93 – chef, writer, and editor (Berkeley, CA)
Will Van Heuvelen ’05  and Zoe Abram ’06 – Wheelhouse Farm Truck (Pioneer Valley, MA)
Richard Ward ’68 – Saintsbury Vineyards (Napa, CA)
Meriwether Godsey (Dining Services at Sidwell Friends School)