Photo: joyosity/Flickr
Like many of you, we’re guessing, PRK has kept up with the flurry (frenzy) of articles, updates, blog posts and commentary about Paula Deen’s new public persona as a celebrity diabetic.
In the midst of this spectacular turnaround, let’s pause and be reminded of numerous other food-related news stories reported this week beyond Deen’s admission of her disease — news unrelated to allegations of hypocrisy, big money-making prospects and drug companies.
Here’s the latest in food news at WBUR.
From the Newsroom:
On Monday, in his annual State of the City address, Mayor Menino very publicly cited obesity as a community problem in Boston, even as the Hub’s been lauded as one of the top ‘healthiest’ cities in the US.
Menino is dedicating efforts to implement a city-wide strategy that will connect new initiatives and resources to residents and their families wherever they work, learn or play. Shedding a million pounds in a year — that’s his goal for the Hub, and he’s willing to walk his talk by losing weight himself. His colleagues at City Hall are joining in. Will you, too, shed some extra weight? It’s clearly a communal call to action…
From Here & Now:
Remember last November when BU hosted its Essential Jacques Pépin event in honor of the beloved, much admired teacher-chef? Pépin had to cancel his appearance that evening due to health problems. Well, he’s hale and hearty, and talking: resident chef Kathy Gunst of Here & Now recently spoke with Pépin from The Chocolate Factory in New York. She asked him about career surprises (“I”m still alive!”), TV and celebrity chef-dom (“I am not an actor, I am a COOK!”) and how he wants to be remembered (“As a good father, I hope.”)
Pepin is being modest, of course, but he’s also insightful. As ever.
Earlier in the week, Here & Now aired an interview with Gabrielle Hamilton, chef of Prune in New York City and author of good food read Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef — Hamilton’s memoir. Hers is a compelling story about memories and her passions for serving food, and she clearly can write. Listen to The Life and Story of Gabrielle Hamilton.
From Radio Boston:
Dramatizing diabetes. What might that sound like, and why do it? Radio Boston spoke with Robbie McCauley, an African-America playwright who has dramatized her personal experience of the disease. “Sugar carries shame,” McCauley proclaims, parsing out her meaning with co-host Meghna Chakrabarti. McCauley’s one-woman play, Sugar, will debut at ArtsEmerson tonight, Jan. 20. Listen to the interview.