LISA DENTON: Barry, you know I've been intrigued by the films in Crabtree Farms' four-part Foodie Film Series, but the last in the series, to be shown Tuesday at The Camp House, may be the most intriguing of all.
"Fannie's Last Supper" shows the attempt by Chris Kimball of "America's Test Kitchen" to re-create a 12-course Christmas feast described in Fannie Farmer's "Boston Cooking-School Cook Book," published in 1896. But he didn't use any modern conveniences. He tried to do it just as Fannie would have done, including using a coal cookstove and boiling a calf's head to make mock turtle soup and its feet to make gelatin. That poor calf couldn't catch a break.
Lisa Denton and Barry Courter
BARRY COURTER: I've seen the film and it is fascinating and very entertaining. But regarding the calf, as basketball Coach Bobby Knight used to say, "If you had bacon and eggs for breakfast this morning, the chicken was involved, but the pig was committed." That calf was committed.
Anyway, the film is interesting on so many levels. The history, the cooking techniques, the utensils, the challenges and the level of art that went into each of the 12 courses that were served. Just coloring the Victorian-era jellies involved using spinach for green, cream for white, saffron for yellow and beets for red.
LISA: Makes me grateful I can pop a Stouffer's in the microwave.
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Aquarium will open Lemur Forest, introducing seven ring-tailed lemurs and two red-ruffed lemurs, all native to Madagascar. Their new habitat is part of the Ocean Journey building, which also houses Penguins' Rock and Stingray Bay. My favorite stop is still those notoriously cute river otters in the River Journey building, but I predict these acrobatic primates will be a big hit.
BARRY: The lemurs will be popular, no doubt. And don't forget TobyMac returns to town Thursday with his Hits Deep Tour. He's bringing Mandisa, Mac Powell, Capital Kings, Hollyn and Ryan Stevenson to McKenzie Arena. Toby and I talked a couple of weeks ago, and the way he built and runs this tour is quite a bit different than any I've heard of.
He handpicks the acts based on people he likes musically but also people he wants to hang out with. They play games and do a lot of things together backstage before, during and after the show. It makes for a casual, friendly time, he says.
LISA: Despite the timing and the long list of big names in contemporary Christian music, this show is not to be confused with the annual Winter Jam, which will be at McKenzie on March 26.
I like TobyMac's approach to touring. You really wouldn't want to spend a lot of time with someone you couldn't get along with. You know, like the way you and I suffer through each other every day. I kid. You've got it good.
BARRY: Counting my blessings every second of every day.
Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.
Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281. Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.