Norse foodways discussed, tasted

The Norwegian-American Historical Association teams up with the Mill City Museum on Nov. 2 to present a forum about Norwegian-American foodways, past and present. A panel convened by NAHA board member Debbie Miller, co-author of "Potluck Paradise," will include Darlene Fossum-Martin, educational specialist at Vesterheim Museum; Chris Dorff, president of Olsen Fish Co.; Solveig Tofte, founder of Sun Street Breads, and Haakon Nelson, brand ambassador for Vikre Distillery. There'll be lefse and rØmmegrØt demos and tastings, samples from Vikre Distillery, Olsen Fish Co., Sun Street Breads, and cash bar. The museum, at 704 S. 2nd St., Mpls., opens at 5 p.m., demos and tastings begin at 6, and the panel discussion begins at 7. Cost is $25 ($20 for NAHA and MNHS members) and includes museum admission, food demos and samples.

Kowalski's remodel opens

The Uptown Kowalski's Market, 2440 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., is celebrating the reopening of its store after a major expansion of more than 10,000 square feet. The extra space provides a home to three made-to-order meal options: hibachi bowl, burrito bowl and pasta bowl, and also features a Cooks of Crocus Hill shop, a Starbucks and So Good So You cold-pressed juice bar and smoothie bar. A serviced pastry case and larger specialty cheese case have also been added. Check out festivities from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 3 and 4. Also, on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kowalski's annual holiday entertaining event will offer ideas and samples in every department.

Thirsty Whale earns honors

Thirsty Whale Bakery in Minneapolis has won the 16th Annual Pillsbury Bakers' Plus Grand Champion Creative Decorating Competition, one of the baking industry's top competitions for professional bakers. They bested four other two-person teams competing in Orlando. Megan Bignell and Kyle Baker took first place in all three categories of wedding cake, rolled fondant cake and sculpted cake. They plan to open their storefront (4149 Fremont Av. N., Mpls.) soon after Thanksgiving. But you can get a taste of their work through custom orders (thirstywhalebakery.com; 612-259-7168). They will also be at the Holidazzle event in Loring Park every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas with cookies, lefse and other treats. For a gallery of their work and the story behind the name, visit thirstywhalebakery.com.

Linden Hills Winter Market begins

The Linden Hills Co-op's Winter Market will be in place indoors on Sundays from Nov. 5 through Dec. 17 in the Sunnyside Gardens area next door to the co-op, 3723 W. 44th St., Mpls. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who doesn't love Paris?

Six Americans were so enamoured of French food and Paris — and wrote so much about it during the mid-20th century — that they revolutionized American food culture in the process. Those six were Julia Child, M.F.K. Fisher, Alice B. Toklas, A.J. Liebling, Richard Olney and Alexis Lichine. A new book by Justin Spring tells the story: "The Gourmands' Way: Six Americans in Paris and the Birth of a New Gastronomy (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $30). Spring will be at Restaurant Alma (528 University Av. SE., Mpls.) on Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. for a conversation about the book and a meal in its honor. The event includes appetizers, dinner and wine. Cost is $150 per person (tax, tip and book included). Reservations at almampls.com; 612-379-4909.

KIM ODE