We are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to see Dame Diana Kennedy not once, but twice, in Sacramento next month! She is widely regarded as an authority on classical Mexican cooking and was awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle by the Congress of the Republic of Mexico for her contributions to the documentation of regional Mexican cuisine. She is touring in support of her newest cookbook, The Art of Mexican Cooking, and will be giving two cooking demonstrations in our area.

The first will be Thursday, June 12, in a private class to be limited to 12 people. A paid reservation of $250 will include a hands-on cooking class, dinner, and a signed copy of the new book. The event will be held at an architecturally significant "green" house overlooking the Catta Verdura golf course to honor Ms. Kennedy's long interest in ecological building practices. She lives primarily in her ecological adobe house in Michoacan, Mexico, which also serves as a research center for Mexican cuisine. For reservations or questions contact Peg Tomlinson at pegtomlinson@gmail.com or (916) 645-4694. Known as one of the Dining Divas, Peg is a Mexican cooking authority as well and has attended Ms. Kennedy's cooking camps in Oaxaca.

The second event will be Saturday, June 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at East Bay Culinary Center. The demonstration will be followed by a book signing. Contact Carolyn Kumpe at (916) 440-0623 or via email at carolynk@ebrs.net to make a reservation today. The cost of the class is $95 per person. Seats are limited.

You can learn more about Diana Kennedy by reading Elise Bauer's account of her experience when Ms. Kennedy was here last.