Comments on: Is Alice Waters an Elitist Food Snob?

By: dana

dana — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 10:18:36 +0000

And, I just have to add, that it just seems so distasteful for the Michael Pollans and Alice Waters in this world to celebrate these skyrocketing food prices when so many people are struggling financially right now. (NYTimes, April 2, 2008) Its stuff like that why people dislike Alice Waters so much, as she waves her finger at people in a disapproving manner about what they should or should not do.

By: dana

dana — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 09:54:34 +0000

Barbara,

I haven’t checked in on this blog since my last comment, so I’m a little surprised that my comments about Ms. Waters are regarded as slander and therefore any comments that dares to question St. Alice will be moderated.

I had assumed that the details of Water’s involvement with Ameya were already well known since it had been already detailed in the Wall Street Journal, the national journal with the second largest circulation in the United States, and picked up by other websites and blogs. In its Nov 29, 2007 edition, the Journal printed:

“Wade Dokken, a developer of the Ameya Preserve housing development in Paradise Valley, Mont., paid $100,000 to Slow Food Nation, a nonprofit organization founded by San Francisco Bay area restaurateur Alice Waters in exchange for her help in guiding plans for a cooking school on the property. Mr. Dokken would pay an additional $400,000 directly to Ms. Waters and not Slow Food Nation for additional consulting services under terms of an unsigned contract.”

Its your blog, and obviously, your decision whether or not to strike or edit any comments that you deem critical of Ms. Waters. But, I think its fair to point out the terms of the deal, especially in light of all the grief she’s given Rick Bayless for his involvement with Burger King years ago.

Right now, food prices are skyrocketing and becoming a major concern for millions across the world. Left unsaid in Water’s vision is that in her boutique world with its boutique prices, there wouldn’t be enough food for those people. And, if you want to delete this statement, then so be it.

By: Gail

Gail — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:38:53 +0000

Hi Barbara!
I just came across your site and I have to tell you, I have been here a couple of hours now! Love it!!
I totally agree with all that you wrote in this post!
“….the worst of a lazy, ill-informed American’s sense of entitlement. (Which makes y’all sound, oh, I don’t know, pretty elitist yourselves…you know?)”
The above statement being so incredibly true!! I have a very hard time believing that there are areas that do NOT have local markets! Phooey! I have lived in many areas between NJ and NYS and I have not once had all that much of a hard time finding a local market. It’s a shame how many people are so mis-informed. Eating local and or organic is rarely so much more expensive. Well, I’m off to read more of your incredible writtings and recipes. Thanks!!

By: Sculpin » My del.icio.us bookmarks for October 30th through December 20th

Sculpin » My del.icio.us bookmarks for October 30th through December 20th — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:50:42 +0000

[...] Tigers & Strawberries – Is Alice Waters an Elitist Food Snob? – “What I took to be a bunch of liberals reacting to the recent full moon in a bizarre fit of sudden onset Tourette’s Syndrome is actually a case of a bunch of folks filled with liberal guilt all trying to defend their food choices all at the same time.” [...]

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:41:24 +0000

Dana–do you have a citation for your assertion that Alice Waters pocketed most of the donation to Slow Food?

Or is it just slander?

If you have citation or other proof, please let me know, and I will publicize it.

Otherwise, I will assume that you are using my blog to slander someone–and I will therefore, have to moderate your comments.