Come enjoy an afternoon celebration of all things pumpkin!  On Saturday, October 29 from 1-3pm, you will have the chance to taste some seasonal specialties made from America’s most storied autumn squash.  In addition, RIS will provide perfect pumpkins and all the tools necessary to carve unique masterpieces to be proudly displayed candlelit on the patio through Halloween. Chef/Owner Ris Lacoste has a few tricks up her sleeve, but the treats will surely please:  pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup and spiced pumpkin cocktails are just the beginning.  All proceeds from donations will benefit DC Central Kitchen. Many thanks to our neighborhood Foggy Bottom Whole Foods, for generously donating the pumpkins! Open to all ages with a suggested donation of $20 per adult or $10 per child. RSVP to natalie@risdc.com.

Just a reminder about a great event at RIS this Sunday, October 23. As highlighted on Oprah’s website, Lisa Yockelson’s just released Baking Style, is a dazzling celebration of the art and craft of baking.
With 100 essays, more than 200 accompanying recipes and over 150 full-color images, Lisa Yockelson presents what has fascinated her during a lifetime of baking. On every page of this beautiful and thoughtfully written volume, she brings her commitment to exacting but simple recipes for transforming your baking strategies into delicious art. Baking Style is Lisa's latest and most personal baking cookbook, combining the genre of the culinary essay with recipes, their corresponding methods and illustrative images, revealing her uniquely intimate expression of the baking process.

Join Lisa for a lively presentation of how this book came to be and enjoy an afternoon of libations and taste sensations – recipes from Baking Style prepared by Pastry Chef Chris Kujala and Pastry Sous Chef Rory Kraus of the acclaimed DC restaurant – RIS.

The registration fee also includes a personally signed copy of Baking Style (normally $45 retail). There will be an opportunity for questions, answers, and discussion. Additional copies of the book (at a reduced price!) will be available for purchase and signing. (Great for holiday gift giving!) Read more of Lisa’s diary entries and recipes at www.bakingstylediary.com. Register at womenchefs.org.

RIS is excited to participate in Bisnow's Growth Expo and Dining Schmoozarama, tomorrow evening at Mellon Auditorium from 5:30-7:30pm. RIS and 25 of DC's top restaurants will be there, so expect some spectacular food. If you haven't done so by now, get your tickets here. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

October's Book of the Month at RIS is Lucky Peach, a new quarterly journal. It is a creation of David Chang, the chef behind the Momofuku restaurants in New York, writer Peter Meehan, and Zero Point Zero Production—producers of the Emmy Award–winning Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations.

Lucky Peach has a funky, edgy take on food; this quarter's theme being ramen. We love Todd Kliman's article, in between all of the ramen photos, food witticisms and cartoon illustrations. Even the most ardent foodie will discover something new. It's definitely a must-read that you won't be able to put down. We can't wait for next quarter!