Chefs for the Marcellus

If New York State approves hydrofracking for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation, that local gas would most likely find its way into the homes of New Yorkers for use in cooking and heating. What New Yorkers won’t be told is that the Marcellus is highly radioactive, and gas produced there is loaded with radon, a gaseous form of radiation and a leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Learn more about this potential public health disaster when Chefs for the Marcellus founder Heather Carlucci and others speak at a forum on May 14. (Chefs for the Marcellus is one of the many sponsors.)

What:  A forum on the dangers of radon from fracking

When: Tuesday May 14, 2013, 7:00pm

Where: Cooper Union Great Hall

RSVP on Facebook!

Chefs for the Marcellus is among dozens of sponsors of Renewable NY by 2030, a  panel discussion that explores a groundbreaking study showing how New York State can move to an entirely renewable energy platform by the year 2030. Join us to hear three of the study’s co-authors explain the technical capacity, economic feasibility and benefits of a renewable energy infrastructure that can transform our state by eliminating dependence on fossil fuels.

When: Monday, May 13, 2013, 6:30-9:00pm

Where: Mt. Kisco, NY

Tickets are free, but space is limited and the event is filling up.  RSVP today.

Please join us for a critical discussion focusing on why some of our most innovative business leaders and experts believe fracking is bad for the collective bottom line. Moderated by Deepak Chopra, visionary futurist, at deepak homebase, ABC Carpet and Home, one of New York’s most outspoken retailers on the subject.  Please RSVP.

When:  Wednesday, May 1, 5:00-6:30 pm

Who: Steve Hindy, President, Brooklyn Brewery; Economist Jannette Barth, Ph.D; David Levine, CEO, American Sustainable Business Council; Horst Rechelbacher, Founder, Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients, and others

Where: ABC Carpet and Home, 888 Broadway @ 19th St, mezzanine

Space is limited.  RSVP here

Sponsored by ABC Carpet and Home, American Sustainable Business Council, Chefs for the Marcellus, Food and Water Watch, New York State Sustainable Business Council, and New Yorkers Against Fracking 

Is New York next?

Campaign member, farmer Ken Jaffe, wrote an open letter to the New York Farm Bureau asking them to reconsider their stance on hydraulic fracturing. A recent study shows that  PA counties with the most fracking wells had the sharpest decrease in milk production since fracking began. The New York dairy industry is already suffering, fracking is clearly not the solution.  Read Ken Jaffe’s letter here.

The New York Farm Bureau has held onto a pro-fracking policy because they believe it will strengthen the farm economy. The research is in, it does not!

King Ferry Winery owned and operated by vintner Peter Saltonstall is located in the rolling hills of Cayuga County, one of the upstate counties that lies atop the Marcellus Shale and is ground zero for fracking.  He recently went to Pennsylvania to see for himself what impact fracking was having on the agriculture of our neighboring state. He came back with this aerial video.

Photo by Pat Arnow

Our delivery of  letters to Governor Cuomo,  signed by more than 150 prominent chefs and other food pros, which calls for a ban on fracking, is getting noticed.  Read about our campaign in Huffington Post.  If you haven’t yet signed on, it’s not too late. Our goal of banning fracking in New York’s watershed and food shed has not yet been achieved.  Every signature counts!  Sign on today! 

Hear Chef Peter Hoffman, one of our great supporters, speak about food and fracking, and the connections between energy policy and food at TedxManhattan  this Saturday (February 16). The conference, entitled Changing the Way We Eat, will be streaming live from 10:00am to 6:00 p.m. Tune in to hear Peter’s talk at 3:00 p.m.

Chef Paul Gerard of Exchange Alley (E. Village) dishing up his gumbo.

A big thank you to everyone who made our Second Annual Mardi-Gras Gumbo Cook-Off such a rousing success and so much fun. And a special thanks to Chefs for the Marcellus co-founder Jimmy Carbone who hosted us at Jimmy’s No. 43.

Sunday afternoon (February 10), we had an impressive line-up of chef competitors and full house of anti-fracking supporters with discerning appetites.

And the winners were:

• Deepak Ballaney (International Wings Factory), winner of The “Jackson Pollack” award for most interesting gumbo, a middle eastern/African spin on his curry gumbo with chicken wings and okra cracklings. (continued)

Chefs for the Marcellus founder Jimmy Carbone with Holley Atkinson at last year’s Gumbo Cook-Off

Join us for the Second Annual Chefs for the Marcellus Gumbo Cook-off. Help keep New York State frack-free while enjoying awesome gumbo prepared by some of NYC’s most talented and creative professional and amateur chefs.

Participants include Mary Cleaver, Green Table; Tim Trobey, L & W Oyster; Nissa Pierson, Ger-Nis; Jon Bratton, NYC Hot Sauce; Paul Gerard, Exchange Alley; Deepak Ballaney, International Wings Factory; Michele Lamort; Adrian Ashby; Simon Glenn, Tchoup Shop; Dave Katleski, Empire Brewing Company; Ron Carlson, Horsehead Beer; Dave Miss, Jimmy’s No 43.

Judges include Rozanne Gold, “Radically Simply” & former chef to late Mayor Ed Koch; Will Blunt, Managing Editor, StarChefs.com; Cathy Erway, NotEatingOutInNY.com.

Sunday, February 10, 1:00p-3:00 p.m.  Jimmy’s No. 43, 43 E. 7th Street. Admission: $20 at the door