Bill Patterson bones up on the different types of eggplants noted in his favorite vegetable book
By Madie Murray
Patterson loves to share his knowledge of food, especially with kids.
“I pretty much eat, sleep and breathe food,” says Bill Patterson, owner and chef of Chimayo in back of Our House Mall on North Beach and Sazio Supper Club. “I remember the first time I ate an avocado, my first peaches-and-cream, my first taste of Rainbow Trout.”
Professionally cooking for more than 18 years, Patterson believes our memories are intertwined with aromas and flavors. He also believes in enthusiastically sharing his love for food and the joy of learning new tastes.
Consequently, Patterson is the first to volunteer for a more comprehensive Celebrity Chef event at the school this year that includes teaching…right up his foodie alley. On October 10, Patterson introduced the first “Veggie of the Month” – the mysterious, marvelous eggplant (which is actually a tropical Old World fruit eaten as a vegetable) to Mandy Randolph’s Farm to Classroom 5th and 6th grade students. Like the previously unloved beet, students will learn that they no longer need to shun this highly misunderstood member of the nightshade family. Randolph will continue to teach her other Farm to Classroom grades about the benefits and origins of eggplant for the rest of the month.
On Wednesday, October 19, Patterson, along with the cafeteria staff, will be preparing and serving lunch at school (one of his favorites, Lasagna) with a side of this newly-introduced veggie in a way no one will be able to resist. Many of the local foods and herbs recently preserved during the Farm to Cafeteria 5th (and 6th) Season events will also be included in the menu.
Mark your calendar! Wednesday, October 19, for lunch in the school cafeteria. $5 for adults, $3 and $2.50 for kids, which includes milk and a trip to the salad bar.
“What’s more exciting than learning about food,” says Patterson, “unless, perhaps, it’s eating it!”
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