Pickles & MSG at MOFAD + Sweet Updates from Ceres HQ
Join us @MOFAD on June 25 for an evening exploring flavor and cultural perceptions. Plus: what's blooming at Ceres, new team, and bees recap.
Hi Friends,
Our next event is one I’ve been dreaming about for a while.
When I first visited the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) last summer at the Time Out Market in Dumbo, I immediately began imagining what a collaboration might look like. Through a generous chain of connections and support, this is becoming a reality.
On June 25, we’re partnering with MOFAD for a screening and panel exploring taste, flavor, and cultural perception, featuring films on MSG and peanut butter and pickle sandwiches (yes, really). We share more details below.
But first, a few exciting updates from what's been blossoming at Ceres HQ.
Growing Roots in NYC
Since returning to in-person events in 2023, we’ve been steadily planting roots here in New York. Thanks to the support of partners like NYU’s Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, we’ve been able to host our opening night celebration at the NYU campus and its many open, questioning minds. We visited the space for our upcoming October 16th Opening Night event and cannot wait to share that with you once it’s a bit more ripe.
Also: we’re growing. After a long and deeply thoughtful hiring process, we now have a dedicated, powerhouse team helping Ceres evolve into the next chapter. You'll meet our new producers, Jacob and Danielle, at upcoming events and their brilliance, commitment, and spirit are already showing up in everything we do.
Our Upcoming Adventure at MOFAD
Until October, we press on with off-season events: intimate evenings where we dive deep into a single theme and connect with like-minded people who care about what we eat, why it matters, and our role in the matter.
Without further ado, here is more about the event I genuinely cannot stop thinking about:
Join Us: Pickles, MSG & Film at MOFAD
A Film Screening & Panel on Taste, Flavor, and Food Culture
An evening dedicated to the art and science of taste awaits at MOFAD. We'll journey from umami's molecular mysteries to unexpected flavor combinations that challenge our culinary assumptions.
Event Details
June 25 | 6:00-9:00 PM
Museum of Food and Drink | 55 Water St, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn
(Located within Time Out Market)
Limited to 50 attendees for an intimate experience
Tickets $40 · Save 15% with code TASTECERES15
Program
6:00 - 7:00 PM | Private Museum Access
Exclusive access to MOFAD's exhibit Flavor: The World to Your Brain, a multisensory exploration of how we experience taste, designed by food scientists and anthropologists.
7:00 - 7:40 PM | Film Screenings
MSG: Mysterious Savory Grains (Dir. Kyle Finnegan) and pb&p (Dir. Eleanor Galloway)
7:40 - 8:20 PM | Panel Conversation
Join culinary thinkers as they explore the science, culture, and history behind flavor.
8:20 - 9:00 PM | Light Bites by Jacob’s Pickles + Beverages
Savor the surprisingly addictive peanut butter and pickle sandwich (apparently!) alongside Bonnie's MSG Martini recipe - a cocktail that may forever change how you think about umami. Plus other flavor-forward refreshments that challenge your palate.
A Sweet Connection: World Bee Day Buzz
Speaking of flavor and culture, we recently visited Flynn, founder of @boogiedownbronxhoney and star of @hannahrafkin’s @keeperdoc (featured in our May event at Rethink Food). He shared three fun bee facts from the charming @khccnyc community garden:
Stay Connected
If you want to stay closer to food x film please follow us on Instagram. We’ve been highlighting films from our archives and sharing cinematic glimpses into the people shaping New York’s food culture; such as Flynn, above.
Warmly,
Maayan Laufer
Festival Co-Founder & Director