Chez Panisse Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary with The Smithsonian, New Book, Herd of Goats

Chez Panisse has some things planned for its big-deal 40th Anniversary coming up in August. To begin with, The Smithsonian will unveil Alice Waters' portrait—its first National Portrait Gallery induction outside D.C.—at the Berkeley Museum of Art on August 26. Then OPENrestaurant (which does things like deliver a 600 lb. steer to a dinner by bike) is organizing a two-day event at the Berkeley Museum, including edible gardens (natch), "a nod to the early days of sex, drugs and Bandol rosé at Chez Panisse," and—!—goats. That takes place Aug. 26-27. Find tickets and information on some other related fêtes here now.

ChezLand is also coordinating dinners across the U.S. to benefit school gardens. And Alice's commemorative coffee table book, 40 Years of Chez Panisse: The Power of Gathering, is out. It reveals interesting never-before-seen pictures (like this one here), telling the story of Alice and Chez Panisse's history. Also: the fact that Alice "was a bad motherfucker."

If you'd like to get involved straight away, Chez Panisse Cafe is still doing the very interesting tribute dinners honoring various Chez Panisse inspirations through the years. Reserve here.

· Chez Panisse to Celebrate 40 Years With Events at the Berkeley Art Museum, Edible Schoolyard Dinners Nationwide [GrubStreet]
· A roast and toasts to Chez Panisse as it turns 40 [ISSF]
· All Previous Chez Panisse Coverage [~ ESF ~]

Alice Waters and former Chez Panisse chef Willy Bishop. [Photo: Chez Panisse via GrubStreet]