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Image for event: Eating Well in Waterloo

Registration now closed

Eating Well in Waterloo

A Discussion with Alex Bielak

2023-04-11 19:00:00 2023-04-11 20:00:00 America/New_York Eating Well in Waterloo IN PERSON, REGISTERED Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium

Tuesday, April 11
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2023-04-11 19:00:00 2023-04-11 20:00:00 America/New_York Eating Well in Waterloo IN PERSON, REGISTERED Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium

Main Library

James J. Brown Auditorium

IN PERSON, REGISTERED

Eating Well in Waterloo – a view from the belly of the Region’s simmering dining scene

Alex Bielak is an enthusiastic cook, eclectic eater, and a well-respected voice in our culinary community. Join him to hear his pithy, sometimes amusing, reflections on Waterloo Region’s diversely-delicious dining scene. During his talk Alex will also unveil - and seek audience feedback on - two systemic depictions illustrating the evolving roles of diners and critics in a sometimes-chaotic culinary environment.

During the Q&A, ask him anything about, including: his reflections on being the Waterloo Record’s longest serving restaurant reviewer;  the expected brickbats and bouquets that come with the gig; how he manages to stay under the radar in the course of his work; pitching the fork rating system; tipping trials; a surprising plague of plagiarism; not to mention the far-reaching effects of COVID.

About Alex Bielak:

Since his so-called retirement a decade ago, Alex has become known as an influential food writer. Now the longest-serving restaurant reviewer for the Waterloo Region Record, he has also authored various pieces for Grand Magazine as well as other publications in Canada and internationally.

A co-founder of the Waterloo Region chapter of Les Marmitons, he’s been instrumental in helping raise significant funding for culinary scholarships at Conestoga College, as well as other causes. In 2022 Alex served as a regular judge during the 2022 Top Chef KW competition.

During a distinguished, award-winning career Dr. Bielak held senior positions with the U.N., Government. Departments, & NGOs. Acclaimed as a pioneering international authority on linking environmental science and policy, Alex was recognized with a Science Alumni of Honour 50th Anniversary Award, by the University of Waterloo, where he undertook his PhD as a NATO Scholar.

Find Alex on Twitter, Instagram and via his verified journalism profile on muckrack.com/alex-bielak. Also follow/like facebook.com/Food4ThoughtArchives a repository for his writing, including restaurant reviews since 2015.

Programmer: Nancy

Alex Bielak

AGE GROUP: | Adults 19+ |

EVENT TYPE: | Book Clubs, Writing and Authors |

TAGS: | Adult learning |

Main Library

Phone: 519-886-1310

Hours
Mon, Jul 07 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jul 09 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jul 10 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jul 11 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sat, Jul 12 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sun, Jul 13 Closed

About the branch

Located in the heart of Uptown Waterloo, the two-storey building features a separate children’s area, ample study space, the Ellis Little Local History Room and WPL’s largest collection of browsable materials.

Upcoming events

Sat, Jul 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Sat, Jul 12, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Jul 12, 11:00am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch
For Families

Sat, Jul 12, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Sat, Jul 12, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults and Older Adults

Sat, Jul 12, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
McCormick Branch
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.
This event is full

Sat, Jul 12, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families

Mon, Jul 14, 10:30am - 11:15am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For children ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 14, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 10:30am - 11:30am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.

Mon, Jul 14, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
McCormick Branch
For babies ages birth to 12 months old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies ages 6 to 18 months with a caregiver.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 14, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 5 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Mon, Jul 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 15, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Jul 15, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 15, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Tue, Jul 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Tue, Jul 15, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Jul 15, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Tue, Jul 15, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Tue, Jul 15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For babies ages birth to 12 months old with a caregiver.

Wed, Jul 16, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Wed, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 6 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 10 to 13 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 10 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 5 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Families
This event is full

Thu, Jul 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
McCormick Branch
For babies ages 11 to 23 months old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Thu, Jul 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.

Thu, Jul 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults
This event is full

Thu, Jul 17, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 5 to 9 years old.

Thu, Jul 17, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 17, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 17, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Thu, Jul 17, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Main Library
Everyone welcome

Fri, Jul 18, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Fri, Jul 18, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Fri, Jul 18, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Jul 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 3 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Sat, Jul 19, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Mon, Jul 21, 10:30am - 11:15am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For children ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 21, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 21, 10:30am - 11:30am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.

Mon, Jul 21, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
McCormick Branch
For babies ages birth to 12 months old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 21, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 21, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 5 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 3 to 7 years old. Children ages 3 to 5 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For adults in their 20s and 30s.

Tue, Jul 22, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 22, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Jul 22, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 22, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Tue, Jul 22, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Jul 22, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 23, 10:30am - 11:00am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For babies ages birth to 12 months old with a caregiver.

Wed, Jul 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 23, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 10 to 13 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 23, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Wed, Jul 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Wed, Jul 23, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Wed, Jul 23, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Wed, Jul 23, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Thu, Jul 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
McCormick Branch
For babies ages 11 to 23 months old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Thu, Jul 24, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.

Thu, Jul 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 5 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Thu, Jul 24, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 24, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 24, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Thu, Jul 24, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Main Library
Everyone welcome

Thu, Jul 24, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults

Sat, Jul 26, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Jul 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
John M. Harper Branch
For kids ages 4 and up with a caregiver.

Sat, Jul 26, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Jul 26, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
McCormick Branch
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Sat, Jul 26, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families

Mon, Jul 28, 10:30am - 11:15am
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For children ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 28, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 28, 10:30am - 11:30am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.

Mon, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 2:30pm
McCormick Branch
For babies ages birth to 12 months old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 28, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies ages 6 to 18 months with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 28, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Mon, Jul 28, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 5 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Jul 28, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Jul 29, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 29, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Jul 29, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Jul 29, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, Jul 29, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Tue, Jul 29, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 30, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Wed, Jul 30, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 6 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 30, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 10 to 13 years old.
This event is full

Wed, Jul 30, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Wed, Jul 30, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For families with children ages birth to 8 years old with their caregiver(s).

Wed, Jul 30, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Thu, Jul 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
McCormick Branch
For babies ages 11 to 23 months old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Thu, Jul 31, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 3 to 4 years old with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.

Thu, Jul 31, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 31, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Jul 31, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Thu, Jul 31, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Thu, Jul 31, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Main Library
Everyone welcome

Sat, Aug 02, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Aug 02, 11:00am - 11:45am
McCormick Branch
For Families

Mon, Aug 04, All day
All library locations
All library locations CLOSED for the Civic Holiday

Tue, Aug 05, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Aug 05, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Older Adults

Tue, Aug 05, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Tue, Aug 05, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.
Registration opens Tuesday, July 15 2025 at 7:00pm

Tue, Aug 05, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Teens, Adults and Older Adults.
Registration opens Tuesday, July 15 2025 at 7:00pm

Tue, Aug 05, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Tue, Aug 05, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
Everyone welcome

Wed, Aug 06, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages birth to 5 years old with a caregiver.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 16 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Aug 06, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 2 to 5 years old with a caregiver.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 16 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Aug 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 16 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Aug 06, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults
Registration opens Wednesday, July 16 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Aug 06, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Wed, Aug 06, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 16 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Aug 06, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 16 2025 at 9:00pm

Thu, Aug 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
McCormick Branch
For babies ages 11 to 23 months old with a caregiver.
This event is full

Thu, Aug 07, 2:00pm - 3:15pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 10 years old.
Registration opens Thursday, July 17 2025 at 7:00pm

Thu, Aug 07, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Aug 07, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 4 to 12 years old with a caregiver.

Thu, Aug 07, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults
Registration opens Thursday, July 17 2025 at 7:00pm

Thu, Aug 07, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Main Library
Everyone welcome

Sat, Aug 09, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, Aug 09, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Waterloo Park Promenade
Everyone welcome

Sat, Aug 09, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Adults and Older Adults

Sat, Aug 09, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For Families