SOLD OUT. Join us for the FIRST EVER Radicchio Symposium! This will be a full day exploration into chicory, including sessions on radicchio history & culture, production, storage, forcing methods, marketing and culinary usage. Sessions will be led by experienced Italian and North American radicchio growers and sellers. See below for session details.
Symposium registration closes on 10/20. Please register early!
This symposium is open to everyone in the public, especially radicchio growers, buyers, sellers and consumers. Lunch is included in ticket price.
9:00 Registration and Coffee + Pastries from Sweedeedee
9:30 - 10:00 Introductions
10:00-11:00. History of Radicchio in Italy
Learn about the history of radicchio from radeek guru Andrea Giubilato, aka “Giubi”. Along with his friend and colleague Valentino Mattiuzzo, Andrea manages the "Madre Terra" farm, located in S. Maria di Sala in the Veneto region of Italy. He is a well-known figure in the organic sector both at a regional and national level for his skill as a farmer and holistic interpretation of the agricultural sciences. Andrea also writes for the magazine "Bioagricultura" and collaborates with the AIAB Scientific Committee.
Facilitator: Margarett Waterbury
Presenter: Andrea Giubilato, Madre Terra
Translator: Davide Zimolo, Associazione Italiana per L'Agricoltura Biologica (AIAB)
11:00-11:30. History of Radicchio in US
Journalist Margarett Waterbury has conducted some research to discover the roots of radicchio growing in the United States, including commercial production and seed availability to home gardeners. During this session she will share what she’s learned so far.
Facilitator: Lane Selman, Culinary Breeding Network
Presenter: Margarett Waterbury
12:00-1:00. Radicchio Types
Andrea Ghedina, Italian radicchio breeder and owner of Smarties.bio, will walk us through radicchio type by type to share its history and growing specifics.
Facilitator: Lane Selman, Culinary Breeding Network
Presenter: Andrea Ghedina, Smarties.bio
1:00-2:00. LUNCH from Tamale Boy (vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options)
2:00-2:15. Chicory Story Short Film presented by Junko Mine.
Farmers from Awaji Island, Japan inherited seeds, believe in natural farming methods, and started growing chicory root on Awaji. Junko will also be brewing Chicory & Barley cold brew, grown and made by her friends on Awaji Island, and will be serving samples.
2:15-3:30. Panel: PNW Regional Production
The most common radicchio growing questions tend to be: When should I seed and plant radicchio? What varieties should I grow? and How do I know when to harvest? This is your chance to ask your most pressing questions to a panel of experienced radicchio growers in different areas of the PNW from the north (BC) to the south (CA) and on the east side (Walla Walla).
Facilitator: Jason Salvo, Local Roots Farm
Panelists: Amy Frye, Boldly Grown Farm (WA); Mary Colombo, Wild Roots Farm (OR); Stephen Carter, Scribe Winery; (CA) Brian Campbell, Uprising Seeds (WA); Chandler Briggs, Hayshaker Farm (WA); Mark Cormier, Glorious Organics Co-operative (BC)
3:30-4:00. Storage Techniques
Radicchio is a great storage crop with an ability to store for months using the right techniques. Andrea Ghedina, Italian radicchio breeder and owner of Smarties.bio, will share how to successfully harvest and store radicchio like a pro Italian grower!
Facilitator: Amy Frye, Boldly Grown Farm
Presenter: Andrea Ghedina, Smarties.bio
4:15-5:15. Panel: Marketing
A conversation about the challenges, successes, and failures of marketing radicchio, and visions for the future.
Facilitators: Lane Selman, Culinary Breeding Network and Cassie Woolhiser, Chicory Week
Panelists: Mike Boyle, Organically Grown Company; Siri Erickson-Brown, Local Roots Farm and PNW Radicchio Association; Chandler Briggs, Hayshaker Farm and Walla Walla Food Hub
AFTER the Symposium join us at the “RAD Pizza Party” at Pizza Thief
Two special Radicchio pies (one Tuscan Gemma inspired, one Sicilian Lane inspired)
Radicchio Caesar
Bitter amaro cocktail special
Special small batch beer from Breakside
Wine from Rudy Marchesi of Montinore
This event is organized by Chicory Week, Culinary Breeding Network and Washington State University Food Systems Program with funding from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered through Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Thanks to our sponsors Organically Grown Company, Gowan Seed Company, EcoTrust, Rubinette Produce, and the Oregon State University Vegetable Breeding Program.