Kevin Malhame, co-founder of Northstar Café and Third & Hollywood, considers himself lucky. We consider him inspirational. His love of family and nature is expressed in everything from the simple, natural design of his restaurants to the delicious, sustainable foods on the menu. To Kevin, choosing to be conscientious about environmental impacts is simple because “it’s just the right thing to do.” His dedication to do the right thing makes it easier (and tastier!) for the rest of us to do the same. Join us as Kevin shares some of his favorite local spots to enjoy the outdoors or relax with family and friends.

—Leah Wolf

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Leah Wolf: What do you love most about Columbus?

Kevin Malhame: All the nice people. I grew up on the East Coast where there are lots of interesting things to do and fun places to visit, but almost everyone you interact with in Columbus is generally more friendly and welcoming. And of course, we have more than our share of uncommonly friendly team members and guests. I love walking into our restaurants and seeing so many smiling faces.

This year's Innovative Farmers of Ohio (IFO) conference, held November 2-3, will bring together a host of supporters, farmers and experts around the topic of entrepreneurial farming and its impact on regional and national food systems. The focus, "Resetting the American Dinner Table," is spread throughout the two-day event, starting with Friday evening's fundraiser, a celebration of local food and the farmers who enrich our community and our meals, and applied throughout Saturday's conference. 

Innovative Farmers of Ohio is a non-profit organization promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Comprising the IFO and its leadership are local farmers and food advocates who work closely with farmers to assist them in entering new markets, negotiating production and varying techniques, and offering assistance to those new to farming. The IFO caters to all farmers caring for acreage large and small, with decades of experience or a fresh entrepreneurial spirit. Learn more about the IFO and their goals here. 

The IFO fundraiser and conference kicks off at 5:30pm on Friday with a showcase of food and beverages from Ohio producers and local chefs. Guests are invited to taste the flavors of our region with samplings from Bodega, Due Amici, Explorer's Club, Heirloom Cafe, Two Caterers and additional participating restaurants. Also on site with their finest of offerings will be Celebrate Local, a fixture of Easton Town Center featuring all Ohio made products, along with representatives from the Ohio Wine Producers Association. 

Edible Columbus had the distinct pleasure of welcoming Columbus culinary pioneer Betty Rosbottom back to the Midwest for a lecture and brunch last month. Betty is well known for having founded and operated the famed cooking school, La Belle Pomme, in Columbus from 1976 to 1995. It's estimated around 4,000 students attended the school at its height each year, in which Betty taught the majority of classes, many of which focused on entertaining and well-loved, time-honored recipes with French flair. 

After a move to Massachusetts in the mid-90s, Betty expanded her career into publishing, writing and television. For over 20 years she contributed a column called "That's Entertaining," for Tribune Media Services, syndicated in newspapers nationwide including the Columbus Dispatch. Betty has contibuted to Bon Appetit magazine, appeared as a regular host of PBS' cooking show "On the Menu," and has somehow found the time to publish 11 cookbooks and write a blog! 

Happening through November, the Sagan National Colloquium delves into the “transformative relationship between people and food," focusing on a number of subjects close to our hearts. Every year since 1984, Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) has hosted the lecture series as a means of highlighting pertinent social, political, environmental or global issues.

This year’s “Bite!” series invites authors, professors, farmers, experts and researchers to share their expertise on pertinent food issues. Lecture topics include commercial farming, longevity of local foods systems and the political and economic impact of food systems across cultures and regions. This event makes powerful individuals and valuable messages accessible to a wide audience, and echoes food issues we think are important to our, and other, communities. 

One lecture we’re looking forward to takes place on Wednesday, October 10, when Tricia Wheeler moderates a panel of local food representatives in a discussion on the dynamics of local food systems in Ohio. Warren Taylor of Snowville Creamery, Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Ben Sippel of Sippel Family Farms and Michael Jones, Director of Local Matters,  will share their insight and take questions on entrepreneurship, production and promotion.