I woke up this morning to a hazy sky and 70° temperatures, perfect for my first venture to the famous and busy Chicago Green City Market to meet the amazingly influential Alice Waters. I drove to my mom’s house with enormous iced coffee in hand, and met up with her, Eo, and my stepdad, then we went and picked up my sister.

We pulled up to the market and were greeted by friendly faces saying “Welcome to the market!” and one of my favorite Spring/Summer sights: vendor tents! There was a line that we immediately got in to purchase Alice Waters’ books, and to meet and have her sign the books. I bought her newest cookbook, The Art of Simple Food and started getting nervous to meet the person who has been beyond influential in the food world.

I handed her my book, nervously shaking and I told her that I was honored to meet her. She smiled, signed my book, and I took this picture as she signed my sister’s book. My mom bought a different book, The Edible Schoolyard, which chronicles the mission to help kids learn where their food comes from, and the work involved in growing it. She helped an urban school in Berkeley, CA turn an abandoned schoolyard into an organic garden. The book is full of photos, stories, and letters the kids wrote about their favorite foods. It’s one I may pick up a different day!

After we got out of the book-signing line, my sister had to go to work, so we wandered around the market, which was apparently about 1/6th the size it is in its peak months. I taste tested a bunch of cheeses, my favorite being a raw milk cheese from Wisconsin. The Saxon Creamery had 3 raw cow’s milk cheeses that I was just in love with: one “sweet” , one “creamy” and one “robust”. They were all so fabulous, and I may have to order some of their cheeses from their website! The girl I met from the creamery was so nice and helpful, and when I mentioned my food blog, she let me take a picture!

She explained a bit about how the cheeses are made, and that they’re a small, family owned creamery that makes their cheeses from the same herd (ok, well, the younger cows) that has been providing milk for their creamery since 1870!

Then, I continued through the remaining stalls, stopping to taste everything I possibly could! There was granola, dried fruits, preserves (more on those to come), baked goods, and even more cheese! The next cheese I tried was from the Brunkow Cheese company of Darlington, Wisconsin. I couldn’t resist it. Why? Well, first of all, it was a soft cows milk cheese which is a weakness. Second, it had hot peppers in it, yum! Third: it was gently warming and browning on a small grill, and tasters were encouraged to try it warm. Apparently, this baked cheese is a specialty of the farm. It has all the whey pressed out of it, then its baked, then re-heated for enjoyment… and enjoy it I did!

Next came the flower stall, which has always been a favorite of my mom and mine. I remember going to the farmer’s market growing up and leaving with armfuls of flowers. Today was no exception! My mom’s pretty cute, huh?

I went back to the dried fruit/preserves stall to buy a jar of the amazing preserves that I had tasted… vanilla peach preserves could possibly end up being the best oatmeal addition ever! Seedling Produce had the most amazing preserves and dried fruits! The photo of the preserves will be below, don’t worry… then I wandered a bit and found a gorgeous mushroom vendor:

I refrained from any purchases, but the next time I go, there WILL be mushrooms purchased! I’m sure they’ll just get better as the season goes on. It started to rain just as we started heading back to the car, so I covered my purchases and walked quickly back to the car.

Next up: lunch! I was so excited when my mom suggested we all go for my favorite thing! SUSHI! We ended up at another childhood favorite place, Kuni’s Sushi in Evanston, IL. I remember when this place opened, and we used to turn up our noses at how “gross” eating raw fish was. Now? They have some of the best sushi around!! I got what was called an omakase roll with tuna and avocado, and a spicy tuna roll. Oh, and of course a piece of freshwater eel:

Everyone’s sushi was simply delicious! Thanks for a fun day everyone, and a special thanks to Green City Market for hosting such a cool event!  In case the memory of today ever starts to fade, I have the best proof that it did, indeed, happen:

When I got home, I spent a while paging through my new amazing cookbook and then Adam and I went to Sweet Tomatoes for our weekly salad, soup, and soft serve fix. This was definitely a great day.

**Please keep our blogland pastry chef, Jenna,  in your thoughts and prayers after the untimely and sudden death of her brother. I can’t even imagine what she’s feeling right now, and it’s all I can do to send positive thoughts her way.**

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