TEDxCambridge, an independently organized conference based on Jamie Oliver’s TED prize wish “to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity,” took place at MIT yesterday. Speakers included Wylie Dufresne of wd-50, Drink mixologist John Gertsen, and Community Servings CEO David Waters. We caught up with organizer Jennifer Brea to learn about some of her favorite moments from the event.
“I have no perception of what happened because it was such a crazy day, but I think it was a success!” laughs Brea. Though the numbers haven’t been fully tallied yet, there were approximately 200-250 attendees out of about 700 people who were interested in attending. Though Brea cautioned that “I don’t want to privilege one speaker over another,” some of her highlights included New York Times perfume critic Chandler Burr’s talk on the intersection between food and scent (“He had the audience guess what each of six scents was, and it turns out my ten year old brother has an uncanny sense of smell.”), Dan Ariely’s speech on behavioral economics as they relate to obesity and dieting (“We tend to discount the future and we’re apt to do things we want to do now.”), and poet Vanessa German’s piece on the importance of feeding our souls and becoming expansive, so we can share ourselves with others. “I’d like to think that TED is soul food,” says Brea.
This being a food conference, refreshments were a priority. Based on entomophagist David Gracer’s talk, where he suggested that people should get 50 percent of their animal protein from insects, Chive Events gamely prepared some worms and crickets as part of the day’s lunch. “They tasted really good!” says Brea. “I thought no one would touch them, but they were a huge hit!” Miracle fruit from MBerry was also on hand, allowing folks to “flavor trip”, sampling coffee and limes that tasted sweet, thanks to the berries.
“I think one thing that was especially amazing about TEDxCambridge was how much the Boston food community got behind it,” marvels Brea. “Most of the events were sponsored by in-kind contributions, including major ones from Drink, Savenor’s, Chive, and Pretty Things, and all the speakers came for free. It was amazing to see how much people cared and how this came together. I learned that when you’re passionate about something and you can communicate that passion to others, people are willing to go to the moon. And if you go to the moon together, amazing things can happen.”
Missed out on TEDxCambridge and feeling envious? Don’t worry. Brea and her team are organizing another one for fall with a theme to be announced soon. “It’ll be something totally different, but just as exciting. Food will continue to be a recurring theme, but we want to move in new directions.”
TedXCambridge [Official Site]
