Milktooth and Pizzology together in the kitchen
Top chefs, good cause
Top Indy chefs prepare a five-course “earth-to-table” dinner for urban sustainability 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Paramount School of Excellence. The dinner is part of TURN Festival, which promotes urban farming, slow food and good health for people and the planet. Milktooth chef Jonathan Brooks, Pizzology founder chef Neal Brown and Cerulean chef Alan Sternberg are among cooks crafting the menu. Wine accompanies each course. The festival is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Paramount School and Brookside Park. The event features more than 50 hands-on demonstrations, exhibits, children’s activities, music and food, all centered on sustainable and healthier lifestyle practices. Drew Ramsey, author of “The Happiness Diet” (Rodale, 2012) starts festival activities at 9 a.m. with a presentation on how diet affects physical and mental well-being. Bonesetters and Bigfoot Yancey headline the afternoon main stage. Tickets to the Sept. 11 chefs dinner cost $125 per person, but admission to the Sept. 12 TURN Festival is free.
3020 Nowland Ave., (317) 775-6660, Ext. 2017, www.turnFestival.com
A kombucha bar
Mark your calendar kombucha lovers. A kombucha bar opens 10 a.m. Sept. 12 at Nature’s Pharm of Castleton. Look for eight flavors of the Indianapolis-based brand Presto kombucha on tap. You’ll be able to fill growlers or sip pints and flights. Kombucha is fermented and sweetened black or green tea. It is lightly effervescent. Kombucha, rich in B vitamins and probiotics, may have health benefits. It’s been consumed in China for thousands of years.
5888 East 82nd St., (317) 849-3362, www.naturespharm.tflmag.com
Italian celebration
Nearly 200 years ago, northern Italian immigrants flocked to Clinton in western Indiana to work the coal mines. The coal industry ended, but the Italians left distinctive cultural marks, namely the Little Italy Festival. The event celebrates its 50th year Sept. 4-7 at 9th and Water Streets. Cooking classes, grape stomping, spaghetti-eating contests and live bands are some of what’s on the agenda. Much of the music is Italian. And then there is the food. Pasta, sausage, meatballs, cannoli, Italian cream cake and wine gardens are just a sampling. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 5 and 6 and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 7. Clinton is about 90 minutes from Indianapolis, via I-70 West.
www.thelittleitalyfestival.org
Garlic Fest
If you’re in Bloomington this weekend, you may find yourself asking, “What smells so good?” Bloomington Garlic Fest & Community Arts Fair happens 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 5 and 6 at Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park, also known as Third Street Park. Locally grown garlic lands in dishes prepared by cooks from area restaurants. Expect garlic toast and garlic-seasoned roasted corn on the cob, bratwursts and vegetable kabobs. In the Kid Zone, tikes may get their faces painted or learn how to grow garlic. Live bands perform, and lots of artists display and sell their works at the festival. Admission is free, but you must purchase food.
331 S Washington St., www.bloomingtongarlicfestival.com
Call Liz Biro at (317) 444-6264. Follow her on Twitter @lizbiro, Instagram @lizbirodish, Facebook and Pinterest.