Berkeley professor to speak on food

What should we have for dinner?

Author and UC Berkeley journalism professor Michael Pollan addresses this fundamental question in his latest book, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma: Searching for the Perfect Meal in a Fast-Food World.”

Pollan will share his experiences to answer to that question at 7 p.m. tonight and 2 p.m. Saturday in the Friends Meeting Room at the Newport Beach Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.

Another of the issues Pollan will address is what our place is in the food chain.

Pollan investigated food sources — industrial, organic and alternative — as well as food that we could forage ourselves, and says that people today eat less meat, and when they do eat meat they want it from animals that are grass-fed.

Pollan chooses his food carefully, which he thinks makes his friends reluctant to invite him to dinner because they fear he’ll be scrutinizing what’s served.

Actually, he’s much more concerned about being a good guest and making people feel at ease.

Eating should be a pleasurable experience, Pollan says.

“Eating for me is not that pleasant if the food isn’t prepared the way I enjoy it,” he said. “Certain things become a lot more unappetizing when it’s not fresh.”

His advice: “There’s thoughtless eating and there’s eating thoughtfully. When you are engaging in thoughtful eating, it’s not inhibiting, and it doesn’t get in the way of” the pleasure of eating.

IF YOU GOAuthor Michael Pollan

WHAT:

WHEN: 7 p.m. tonight; 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.

COST: $40 Friday, includes wine reception, live music and book signing; $25 Saturday, includes refreshments and book signing

INFO: Call (949) 548-2411 or go to www.nbplfoundation.org