DENVER — History Colorado announced today that it is kicking off the History Colorado Center’s summer season with the traveling exhibit Food: Our Global Kitchen, from May 31 through Sept. 1, 2014.

The History Colorado Center is known for its hands-on experiential exhibits and as a center of learning for all ages. On May 31, visitors to the opening of Food: Our Global Kitchen will enjoy free admission for children 12 and under, free food-themed crafts, live performances, cooking demos and more. Local presenting sponsor, Whole Foods Market, will assist with the exhibit’s Taste Kitchen throughout the run of the exhibit.

Food: Our Global Kitchen
In a groundbreaking exhibit organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), Food: Our Global Kitchen offers a feast for the senses as visitors take a fun and fascinating journey through the global system that brings what we eat from farm to fork.

What was it like to dine with ancient Romans or in the court of Kublai Khan? How do the Japanese grow cube-shaped watermelons? What did Olympic champion Michael Phelps eat for breakfast or author Jane Austen consider a delectable dessert? Visitors can taste treats, cook virtual meals, see rare artifacts and take a peek into the dining rooms of famous figures. Discover some of the most challenging issues of our time and how people are reimagining the future of food. In sections devoted to growing, transporting, cooking, eating, tasting and celebrating, visitors explore the intersection of history, health, nature and culture through our shared need for, and love of, food.  

“To this amazing exhibit, we’ve added uniquely local flavors through special programs, tours, lectures and free days, as well as through fascinating objects from History Colorado’s collection.  We’re proud to partner with Whole Foods Market in celebrating Coloradans’ deep connection to food,” said Kathryn Hill, History Colorado Chief Operating Officer.

Cost of Admission to Food: Our Global Kitchen

Admission to Food: Our Global Kitchen is $5 with the purchase of a general museum admission ticket. General admission tickets are $12 adults, $10 students and seniors, and $8 for children 6 to 12. Tickets can be purchased at HistoryColoradoCenter.org. Bring your receipt from any Colorado Whole Foods Market and receive FREE admission to the Food exhibit with the purchase of a general admission ticket to the History Colorado Center, a savings of $5! History Colorado members are free.

2014 Blue Star Families: Active military and their families will receive free general admission to the History Colorado Center from Memorial Day through Labor Day as part of the national Blue Star Museums program. Admission to Food: Our Global Kitchen for Blue Star visitors is $5.

Global Kitchen Related Programs

Visit HistoryColoradoCenter.org for the most up-to-date information on Global Kitchen programs and the Taste Kitchen’s daily schedule.
 

Free Days

Global Kitchen Family Days - Free admission for kids under 12!

Global Kitchen Family Days offer cooking demos from Whole Foods Market, food-themed crafts, live performances and special activities in the Taste Kitchen. Visitors can see historic kitchen gadgets, sample tasty treats and savor food stories from around the world and in Colorado.

• Saturday, May 31 (Opening Day)
• Saturday, June 21
• Thursday, July 3
• Friday, August 8

Aug. 1 and 2: Colorado Day Celebration - Two free days!
Happy Birthday, Colorado! On Friday, Aug. 1, Colorado celebrates 138  years of statehood.. Celebrate our square state with two free days of performers, demos and crafts. Enjoy American Indian dancers, Taiko drummers, adobe brick-making, gold-panning and an indoor/outdoor local food market to kick-off Colorado Proud month. Sponsored by AngloGold Ashanti North America Inc. and the Colorado Tourism Office, a state agency.

Tours, Programs and and other Global Kitchen events

June 3:  Evening Lecture - Soul Food

Celebrate the history of soul food with Adrian Miller, author of Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time. Reservations required.

June 12:  After Hours Event - COmingle: Colorado Is Delicious!
Test an historic recipe, go on a food scavenger hunt in the exhibits, and createedible art. Cash bar. Reservations not required.
 

June 24:  Daytime Lecture - Eat Your Electrons! Antioxidants in Food and Health

Take a little bite out of a big topic as chemistry professor Lisa Julian explains how certain foods prevent damage to our DNA and nourish the body. Reservations required.

July 9:  Tour - Coffee Crawl by Bus

This caffeine-inspired journey begins at Novo Coffee with pit stops at Fluid Coffee Bar and Metropolis. Reservations required.

July 10:  Daytime Lecture - Out on the Town: Historic Menus from the History Colorado Collection

Explore historic Colorado restaurant menus for clues about our state’s notable restaurateurs and gastronomes of the past. Reservations not required.

July 15:  After Hours Event - Food For Thought Supper Club

History Colorado Center’s Café Rendezvous hosts a dining series with Executive Chef, and Iron Chef America contestant, Kurt Boucher; includes three-course gourmet meal inspired by Colorado products and people. Reservations required.

August 1:  Tour - Denver Urban Gardens

Learn how community gardens fight hunger and improve neighborhoods. See how gardens in the Lower Highlands perpetuate cultural heritage and traditions. Reservations required.

August 19:  After Hours Event - Food For Thought Supper Club

History Colorado Center’s Café Rendezvous hosts a dining series with Executive Chef Kurt Boucher; includes three-course gourmet meal inspired by Colorado products and people. Reservations required.

August 23:  Tour - Farm to Table Experience with Slow Food Denver

We’ve teamed up with Slow Food Denver for a guided farm tour followed by an informal lunch created with products raised on site. Reservations required.

August 27:  Lecture - What’s in a Name? An Object Adventure

Hear the history behind the names of some popular dishes and drinks; see related items from History Colorado’s collection, meet the curators, and take home historic recipes. Reservations not required.

About History Colorado

History Colorado, a Smithsonian Affiliate, inspires generations to find wonder and meaning in our past and to engage in building a better Colorado. History Colorado is headquartered in the History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203. Find us on Facebook.com/HistoryColorado and Twitter @HistoryColorado or visit HistoryColorado.org or call (303) HISTORY for more information.

About Whole Foods Market^®

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet,”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 78,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE

magazine for 15 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2013, the company had sales of $12.9 billion and currently has more than 360 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Laurie, Public Relations Director
rebecca.laurie@state.co.us
(o) 303/866-3670; (m) 303/918-9216