Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry Edible City: A Delicious Journey Exhibition Brings The Culture of Food to Seattle This Fall

October 12, 2016

SEATTLE, WA – This fall, celebrate Edible City: A Delicious Journey on view at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) November 19, 2016 through September 10, 2017. An in-depth exhibition of Seattle’s eclectic and robust food culture, this special exhibit serves up the story of how Seattleites eat in their city and how urban palates have developed over the years.

Curated by two-time James Beard Award-winning food writer Rebekah Denn, Edible City uncovers the secret history of Seattle’s favorite foods. Learn the origins of the Rainier cherry, view the recipe that inspired the phenomenal Cinnabon, see treasures from the long history of Pike Place Market, get acquainted with the man behind the city’s first sushi bar, and debate Seattle’s signature dishes. Displays include items close to the city’s heart and histories, from Seattle’s first espresso cart to Table #1 at Canlis.

As our city has grown and evolved, so have our choices about what we eat and why. Though the faces have changed, there are common threads behind the people who provide our foods.

“We’ve come to see that our city’s foods are both local and global, as exuberant as a public market and as intimate as a garden patch,” said Denn. “We’re as contemporary as a vegan food truck and as timelessly elegant as a plate of vermouth poached prawns. From the view of Mount Rainier to the huckleberries foraged on its sunny slopes, from savory pho to sweet fair-trade chocolate, the food we eat is an integral part of the city we love.”

The exhibit is accompanied by a companion book, Edible City. Written by Denn, Edible City unveils the complex and progressive narrative of how Seattle’s vibrant food scene went from its first restaurant to what it is today. The Edible City publication is supported by Laird Norton Wealth Management.

Edible City: A Delicious Journey is presented by The Boeing Company with generous support provided by Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center, PCC Natural Markets, The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, Tulalip Tribes, 4Culture, Uwajimaya Inc., All Recipes, Mike Repass, and Laird Norton Wealth Management. Media sponsors are The Seattle Times, KUOW and KCTS 9. The promotional partner is Visit Seattle.

Up-to-date information about Edible City and related programming can be found in the MOHAI online calendar, on the MOHAI Facebook page or by calling 206 324 1126. Be sure to share your Edible City culinary experience by posting a picture your favorite dish on social media using #edibleMOHAI and we’ll publish our favorites!

Upcoming Programs and Events Related to Edible City: A Delicious Journey

(Details are subject to change, and additional programs and events may be added. Please check the website for updated details and information).

Edible City Opening Member Party
Friday, November 18
Members only
Connect with members and friends to celebrate the opening of Edible City: A Delicious Journey. Devour the exhibit in the tastiest way—a private viewing party for members only.

Not a member? Join today and connect with Seattle’s rich history while becoming part of its future. Membership at MOHAI guarantees year-round, unlimited access to riveting stories while preserving the artifacts and narratives that shape Seattle. Be a part of it, learn more at MOHAI.org/membership or call 206 324 1126 Ext 194.

Edible City Opening Day Celebration
November 19
10 am–5 pm
Included with admission
Edible City opens at MOHAI with a taste of the history and culture of Northwest cuisine. Tour the exhibit with notable chefs, nibble on unique offerings from local businesses, with film screenings, craft activities, and more.

Eating Up Seattle: How A City Found Its Own Cuisine
December 5
7–8:30 pm
$15 members / $25 general public
How do Seattle foods compare from earlier years to today? Delve into some of the surprising and delicious answers with Rebekah Denn, curator of Edible City, and a panel of the city’s prominent chefs, restaurateurs, and producers. Panelists include:

• Kristi Brown, Chef, Entrepreneur, Owner, That Brown Girl Cooks!
• Taylor Hoang, Chef, Owner, Pho Cyclo Café; Executive Director, Ethnic Business Coalition
• Jill Lightner, Co-editor, PCC Taste
• Mark Musick, Founding Member, Tilth Association
• Ethan Stowell, Chef, Owner, Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Bites provided by Ethan Stowell Restaurants.

Location, Hours and Admission

MOHAI is located at 860 Terry Ave. in Seattle. Exhibit gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily. Admission is free on first Thursdays and the galleries are open until 8 pm (special extended hours from 10 am to 8 pm on Thursdays during July and August. Regular admission applies). Admission to Edible City: A Delicious Journey is included with regular MOHAI admission of $19.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors (62 and above); $13.95 for students and military (with ID); free for children 14 and under (when accompanied by an adult) and MOHAI members. For more information, call 206 324 1126.

About MOHAI

MOHAI is dedicated to enriching lives through preserving, sharing, and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region, and the nation. As the largest private heritage organization in the State of Washington; the museum engages communities through interactive exhibits, online resources, and award-winning public and youth education programs.