(SHEFFIELD, Mass.) – Ruth Reichl, bestselling author, and former editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine and New York Times food critic, will talk at a brunch to benefit Berkshire Grown on Sunday, July 12, 2015, at 11am.

Ruth Reichl began writing about food in 1972. In October 2015, Reichl’s newest book, My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life – will be published by Random House. Her memoir chronicles the period in Reichl’s life just after Gourmet magazine folded at the end of 2009. That marked a turning point in the world of food media, but no one was more taken aback than Reichl herself, who had been editor-in-chief of Gourmet from 1999 to 2009. Previously, she was the restaurant critic at the New York Times (1993-1999) and at the Los Angeles Times (1984-1993), where she was also food editor.

Reichl’s fascinating, critically acclaimed memoirs include Tender at the Bone, Comfort Me with Apples, Garlic and Sapphires, and For You Mom, Finally. Her 2014 novel, Delicious!, featured Billie Breslin, who has traveled far from her home in California to take a job at the fictional Delicious!, New York’s most iconic food magazine. Reichl has been honored with six James Beard Awards.

The informal brunch will feature locally sourced food between 11am and noon, followed by Reichl in conversation from noon until 1pm.

“We’re thrilled to host Ruth Reichl,” says Barbara Zheutlin, executive director of Berkshire Grown. “She amuses and inspires through her storytelling and humor. The brunch will be one of the highlights of this summer in the Berkshires — it’s not to be missed.”

Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite online at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunch-with-ruth-reichl-tickets-17048526602

Berkshire Grown is a grass roots nonprofit organization that supports and promotes local agriculture as a vital part of the Berkshire community, economy, and landscape; its mission is to “Keep farmers farming!”  Through events, workshops, promotions, advocacy, and education highlighting locally grown and produced food, Berkshire Grown helps to create a thriving local food economy. For more information or to become a member of the non-profit organization, see www.berkshiregrown.org or call 413.528.0041.