Best-Selling Author Frances Moore Lappé, Iron Chef Masahuru Morimoto Highlight Carnegie Mellon's International Festival, Nov. 4 - 6
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Best-Selling Author Frances Moore Lappé, Iron Chef Masahuru Morimoto Highlight Carnegie Mellon's International Festival, Nov. 4 - 6


Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

"From Feast to Famine: Food, Culture and Society" is this year's theme for Carnegie Mellon University's 14th annual International Festival, Thursday Nov. 4 through Saturday Nov. 6, 2004. The festival, which features workshops, lectures, discussions and performances, is a celebration of values, traditions and beliefs of world cultures.


Best-selling author and activist Frances Moore Lappé will give the keynote address at 4:30 p.m., Thursday Nov. 4, in McConomy Auditorium. Her talk is entitled "Exploding the Myths of Hunger One Pop Tart at a Time."
Best-selling author and activist Frances Moore Lappé will present the keynote address to kick off the celebration at 4:30 p.m., Thursday Nov. 4, in the University Center's McConomy Auditorium. Her talk, titled "Exploding the Myths of Hunger One Pop Tart at a Time," is open to the public and will be followed by a reception and book signing. The first 50 people in attendance will receive a free copy of Lappé's latest book, "Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet."

Lappé, who has written more than a dozen books including her 1971 three-million-copy bestseller "Diet for a Small Planet," will discuss issues such as globalization, trade and world hunger, food and politics, sustainable futures and making a difference.

"Diet for a Small Planet" exploded the myth that there is not enough food to feed the world. "Hope's Edge: The Next Diet for a Small Planet," which she co-authored with her daughter, Anna Lappé, addresses globalization, environmental degradation, human rights and the quality, safety and availability of our food supply.

In addition to Lappé's talk, other festival highlights include a cooking performance by internationally renowned Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Star of "The Iron Chef," a nationally televised program on the Food Network, Morimoto is known for integrating Western ingredients and techniques with traditional Japanese cooking. Born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan, Morimoto learned the art of sushi and traditional Kaiseki cuisine while training under several of the country's master chefs. Following his exhibition, Morimoto will be available for autograph signing at a dessert reception.

Tickets to Morimoto's performance at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 5, in McConomy Auditorium, are free to the Carnegie Mellon community and will be available at the University Center Information Desk beginning Monday, Nov. 1. One ticket will be issued per Carnegie Mellon ID.

The festival will also include a Greek cooking demonstration by Chef Rania Harris, who has operated her own catering business for 24 years. Harris, who also runs a gourmet take-out shop, cooking school and pastry shop, has appeared regularly on local television stations.

On Saturday, Nov. 6, community members will be able to enjoy an International Bazaar with food and craft vendors from noon to 3 p.m. in Rangos Ballroom. Twelve area restaurants and a number of local craft vendors will be at the fair. Live music will be performed by one of Carnegie Mellon's own student bands so that those eating lunch at the bazaar and shopping can relax and enjoy.

Throughout the festival Carnegie Mellon students, faculty and staff will share their experiences with various cultures, cuisines and ways of life in several workshops, lectures and personal journeys.

The festival is coordinated by Carnegie Mellon's Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit the International Festival Web site at: http://www.cmu.edu/internationalfestival



Jenni Miller


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