Midwestern Food Alliance is holding its Spring Symposium, “Sweets: A Journey Through Midwestern Dessert Traditions,” a program about the history of sweets in the Midwest, including the important dessert traditions that started here and continue here in small towns and big cities alike.

Topics to be covered:

- The influential role of the railroad and immigrant populations in bringing new desserts to the Midwest and establishing them as traditions
-Abraham Lincoln’s favorite desserts
-The blue-ribbon pie traditions of county fairs, including unusual, lost recipes such as bean pie and sugar-cream pie
-The role of Midwestern food companies in creating much-loved home dessert recipes such as the French Silk Pie, Tunnel of Love cake and Princess Brownies

WHEN:
Saturday, April 5, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

WHERE:
Kendall College
900 North Branch (just north of Chicago Ave. and west of Halsted)
Chicago, Illinois
Free parking available

TO REGISTER:
Visit www.greatermidwestfoodways.com or call (847) 432-8255. The cost is $50 in advance, or $60 at the door, with lunch included.