Want more? Here’s everything we recommend this month: Music, Visual Art, Literature, Performance, Film, Food & Drink, and This & That.
Cocina Barelas
Multiple dates
When former Shins guitarist Dave Hernandez moved to the Northwest after the band was signed to Sub Pop, he yearned for the elusive flavors he grew up with in Albuquerque, New Mexico, including Hatch green chiles, carne adovada, and sopaipillas. Over the years, he also fell in love with trying regional specialties and street food while touring the country. Those memories have converged to form Cocina Barelas, Hernandez’s “New Mexico comfort food” pop-up. Hernandez roams around town, slinging his signature melty quesotacos, carne adovada, Frito pies, breakfast burritos (available on weekends only), and other nostalgic favorites. New Mexican cuisine is notoriously difficult to track down in Seattle, with the exception of Bang Bang Cafe in Belltown and its Othello sibling Bang Bang Kitchen. Whether you’re a Hatch chile virgin or already a devoted fan, Hernandez’s menu is definitely worth seeking out. (Various locations, follow @cocinabarelas on Instagram for dates) JULIANNE BELL
Alexis Nikole Nelson
Sept 14
Known as “BlackForager” on Instagram and YouTube and “alexisnikole” on TikTok, Alexis Nikole Nelson has charmed millions of followers with her joyful approach to foraged foods, not to mention her sense of humor, adorable forest fairy princess outfits, and fun plant-based recipes. Although her videos are light-hearted, Nelson is serious about foraging: She often delves into the cultural and historical context of the pastime, especially as it relates to Black and Indigenous communities, and she ends many videos with the half-joking warning, “Happy snacking, don’t die!” That catchphrase is also the title of her new debut book, which takes the guesswork and intimidation out of foraging with identification photos, tips, safety information, and seasonal recipes ranging from rosewater baklava to oyster mushroom “chowdah.” Her first book tour stop is at Town Hall and is sure to inspire audience members to scrounge for treats among the natural bounty of the Northwest. (Town Hall, 7:30 pm) JULIANNE BELL
Rose Levy Beranbaum
Sept 30
Referred to as the “Diva of Desserts” by the Washington Post and “the most meticulous cook who ever lived” by food writer Amanda Hesser, Rose Levy Beranbaum changed the game for home bakers with her groundbreaking 1988 cookbook The Cake Bible. The book introduced the method of “reverse creaming” for a tender, velvety crumb for the first time, as well as listing weight measurements for ingredients in addition to volume for increased accuracy. Now, the three-time James Beard Award-winning author is getting personal with her memoir, Ma Vie en Rose: My Sweet Life, which details her path from “food-averse” child in New York to culinary icon, while also tracking the culinary history of the time. Beranbaum will drop by Book Larder for a conversation, audience Q&A, and signing. (Book Larder, 6:30 pm) JULIANNE BELL
Northwest Chocolate Festival
Oct 3–4
I mean, it’s a chocolate festival. Why wouldn’t you go? Nearly 100 vendors from around the world bring their best bars, truffles, sauces, and candies, and lay them all out for endless sampling. And we’re not talking cheap shit like Hershey’s. Think Dandelion Chocolate from San Francisco, Dick Taylor from Eureka, CA, Fjåk from Norway, and Fran’s from right here in Seattle. If you want to get smart, experts are on hand to explain the intricacies of their art—cacao beans are a lot like coffee in that everything from the region to the soil type can impact flavor notes. Some advice: Take it slow. I left my first Northwest Chocolate Festival feeling physically ill because I went all Augustus Gloop on the samples the minute I arrived. Don’t make the same mistake. (Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, times vary) MEGAN SELING
More
Soup Stand Sept 5, Book Larder, 11 am–2 pm
Mushroom Foraging Class Sept 10, Skål Beer Hall, 7 pm
Author Talk: Maria Koutsogiannis Sept 14, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Author Talk & Demo: Carla Hall Sept 15, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Author Talk: Tanya Sichynsky Sept 16, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Taste of the Sound Sept 17, Fishermen’s Terminal, 5–8 pm
Fremont Oktoberfest Sept 18–20, Fremont, times vary
Author Talk: Clarissa Wei Sept 20, Book Larder, 4:30 pm
Author Demo & Trivia Night: Chelsea Cole Sept 22, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Author Talk & Demo: Kristen Morita Sept 24, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Northwest Tea Festival Sept 26–27, Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, times vary
Laminated Pastries Intensive Sept 27, Pastry Project, 10 am–2 pm
Author Talk & Demo: Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer Sept 28, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Author Talk & Demo: Leah Koenig Sept 29, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Soup Stand Oct 3, Book Larder, 11 am–2 pm
U-District Chow Down and Street Party Oct 3, University Way NE, 11 am–8 pm
Author Talk & Demo: Adrianna Adarme Oct 5, Book Larder, 6:30 pm
Find all these listings and more on our sister site, EverOut Seattle! EverOut.com/Seattle
