Opening events are often great to attend but challenging to orchestrate.  I've had my share of difficult ones and some that flow suprisingly well.  Among the many I have been involved in, our first annual Live and Learn at 105degrees is my stand alone favorite.   My partner Dara Prentice and I, along with our entire team at 105degrees, hosted several of our friends, colleagues and a couple hundred guests for a full day of events last weekend - a day that included dynamic and motivating appearances from our many presenters;  Philip McClusky, Anthony Anderson, Penni Shelton, Hope Ferdowsian, Ani Phyo, Courtney Pool, Karen Knowler and Tim Van Orden.

This group was incredible.  I could have been fully satisfied with the day, simply by observing their camaradarie and professionalism.  Everyone was as dynamic and probably more so than they appear in their online, print or media work.  They are also all radiating health and beauty.

After most parties, I'm both relieved and tired, ready to avoid thinking about the next one for a few weeks.   In this case, Dara and I are already very excited about next year's follow-up, which will be a full weekend of living cuisine and lifestyle events, lectures and meals.

Philip McClusky and Courtney Pool.  Philip is a captivating lecturer and a really good photographer as well (in fact, I borrowed one of his images for this article).  It was great meeting Courtney for the first time and a real pleasure listening to her knowledgeable and interesting presentation.  She is doing great work with Dr. Gabriel Cousins at The Tree of Life.

 

Anthony Anderson, a great speaker and very passionate.  I predict he will accomplish many interesting things in the sustainable world in the near future.

 

Penni Shelton and Ani Phyo.  Penni has been a wonderful friend and supporter of 105degrees.  Little did I know that, along with her many projects and being a mentor to so many, she is a talented comedian.  Ani has a ton of fans and for good reason - she is dynamic, creative and beautiful.  She recently completed writing her new book, which will have over 250 recipes!

 

Karen Knowler.  We were fortunate that Karen's schedule allowed her to be with us.  She is very entreprenurial and has been instrumental in the growth of living food's awareness in the U.K.

 

Tim Van Orden.  I'm used to seeing Tim in photos running up mountains in snowshoes or racing through a forest like a deer.  He carried that same energy to his presentation, which had the guest's full attention.

 

Hope Ferdowsian.  Hope delivered a uniquely sharp message, filled with facts and statistics that were largely new to me.

 

Ani demonstrating one of her desserts (which I had for breakfast)

 

Meredith Baird.  Meredith alternated this weekend between her role as sommelier, photographer, pastry wizard and shop forager....and mixologist, which happened to be a very popular category at the event.

 

Speaking of mixology..

 

Dara Prentice, founder and visionary behind 105degrees, and I.  Only she would be able to manage the complexities of this event with such poise.

 

Me, in a demo preparing shiitake mushrooms using Thermal Immersion techniques with raw food.

 

The base of the first dinner course:  Shiitake Kimchi Dumplings, Sesame Foam, Shiso

 

Heirloom Beets