An Evening With Michael Ruhlman Benefiting the Lakewood Public Library Foundation

Cleveland native Michael Ruhlman has made a name for himself by inspiring people to get into the kitchen to make good food for themselves. With numerous books and a blog, he has not only made the world a more delicious place, but he’s brought out the literary best in his cookbook colleagues by providing keen competition. Join Ruhlman for an intimate evening of conversation and chef-inspired tastings at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4 at the Beck Center for the Arts17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 4107. Proceeds go to benefit the Lakewood Public Library Foundation.

“The best things in life happen when you get carried away. I went into a cooking school to write about what it means to be a chef, and instead I became a cook, got a job line cooking, lucked into one of the great restaurants of the world to work with the chef on his book, and I kept on writing about food. I got carried away, and it’s made all the difference,” Ruhlman says.

Through work and travel, Ruhlman has gained experience enough to author twelve books, including bestsellers like "The Making of a Chef" and "The French Laundry Cookbook." His Elements of Cooking has been widely praised as the cook’s equivalent of the writer’s Elements of Style. He has collaborated fruitfully with the likes of Michael Symon and Thomas Keller many times and been personally endorsed by the Food Network’s Alton Brown. This year, he has been deeply humbled to be named the winner of the 2012 James Beard Foundation Award, the highest honor in his profession.

All of his books, including the recent Salumi: The Craft of Italian Dry Curing, will be available for sale and signing at the event, courtesy of Mac’s Backs Books. A variety of hors d’oeuvres will be included with admission. A cash bar will be available during the event.

While many of us believe that Northeast Ohio is the best place to live in this country, none of us believe that we can afford to stop trying to make it better. By that same reasoning, the Lakewood Public Library Foundation tasks itself with the fortification of Lakewood Public Library. Can you imagine your life without computers? It was the determination of the Foundation that first brought public computers and high-speed Internet to the Library’s patrons.

The digital edge has made our Library a leader among libraries and the spread of computer knowledge keeps the greater Cleveland area on top of the world. In recent years, the Foundation has turned its attention to the next generation by providing free Princeton Review ACT test preparation courses to the city’s hungriest high school minds to prepare our community for the unknowable challenges and opportunities of the future.

Of course, the most striking contributions that have been made to the Library are also the most sublime. By adorning the renovated Main Library with significant works of public art, the Foundation has cemented the Library's place in Lakewood culture by seeding the imaginations of visitors and creating an atmosphere of inspired learning. Come enjoy this special evening and help The Lakewood Public Library Foundation continue its support in the Library and the community.

General admission for An Evening with Michael Ruhlman is $35. Tickets are now available at lakewoodpubliclibrary.org. Admission can also be purchased in person with cash or check at both Lakewood Public Library locations. Checks should be made payable to The Lakewood Public Library Foundation. $20 of the admission price is tax deductible. Call (216) 226-8275, ext. 127 for more information. This special event has been generously sponsored by First Federal of Lakewood and the University of Akron Lakewood.