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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, May 05 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Tue, May 06 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Wed, May 07 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Thu, May 08 9:30AM to 9:00PM
Fri, May 09 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sat, May 10 9:30AM to 5:30PM
Sun, May 11 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

Mon, May 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

Mon, May 12, 10:30am - 11:15am
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
Ages birth to 5 years with a caregiver.

Mon, May 12, 10:30am - 11:00am
McCormick Branch
For babies 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.
This event is full

Mon, May 12, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Mon, May 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Main Library
Drop-in for help for technology questions

Mon, May 12, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Older Adults

Mon, May 12, 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, May 12, 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults
This event is full

Mon, May 12, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Mon, May 12, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
Registration is now closed

Mon, May 12, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Tue, May 13, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
Ages birth to 5 years with a caregiver.

Tue, May 13, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Older Adults

Tue, May 13, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 2
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Tue, May 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Tue, May 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For teens ages 13 to 18 years old.

Tue, May 13, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, May 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Adults

Wed, May 14, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
Ages birth to 5 years with a caregiver.

Wed, May 14, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 2 to 5 years with a caregiver.
This event is full

Wed, May 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
Adults

Wed, May 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

Wed, May 14, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Wed, May 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 7 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Wed, May 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 9 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, May 14, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Wed, May 14, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Wed, May 14, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Adults.
This event is full

Thu, May 15, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
Ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

Thu, May 15, 10:45am - 11:30am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.

Thu, May 15, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For kids ages 3 to 4 years with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.
This event is full

Thu, May 15, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Thu, May 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Thu, May 15, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Teens and Adults

Thu, May 15, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Thu, May 15, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Adults
This event is full

Sat, May 17, 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, May 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For babies 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.

Sat, May 17, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, May 17, 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, May 17, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Adults and Older Adults

Sat, May 17, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Families

Mon, May 19, All day
All library locations
All library locations CLOSED for Victoria Day

Tue, May 20, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
Ages birth to 5 years with a caregiver.

Tue, May 20, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Older Adults

Tue, May 20, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 3
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Tue, May 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Study Room 3
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!
This event is full

Tue, May 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Families

Tue, May 20, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Wed, May 21, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
Ages birth to 5 years with a caregiver.

Wed, May 21, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 2 to 5 years with a caregiver.
This event is full

Wed, May 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Older Adults

Wed, May 21, 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, May 21, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Wed, May 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 7 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Wed, May 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Wed, May 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 9 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Wed, May 21, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Wed, May 21, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Wed, May 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Adults

Wed, May 21, 7:00pm - 8:45pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For AdultsRegister

Thu, May 22, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
Ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

Thu, May 22, 10:45am - 11:30am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For babies 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.

Thu, May 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For kids ages 3 to 4 years with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.
This event is full

Thu, May 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Thu, May 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Thu, May 22, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Adults
This event is full

Thu, May 22, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Fri, May 23, 9:30am - 10:30am
Eastside Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Fri, May 23, 10:30am - 11:30am
Eastside Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Fri, May 23, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Eastside Branch - Study Room 1
Do you need help with technology? Let a Waterloo Public Library Tech Coach help you!

Fri, May 23, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Eastside Branch - Study Room 1
Drop-in for help for technology questions

Rescheduled
Sat, May 24, 10:00am - 11:00am
New date Saturday, May 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.

Sat, May 24, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, May 24, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Families

Sat, May 24, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For adults in their 20s and 30s.

Sat, May 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Sat, May 24, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Families

Mon, May 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
McCormick Branch
For babies 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.
This event is full

Mon, May 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Older Adults
This event is full

Mon, May 26, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Older Adults

Mon, May 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
Registration is now closed

Mon, May 26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Families

Mon, May 26, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Tue, May 27, 10:30am - 11:15am
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
Ages birth to 5 years with a caregiver.

Tue, May 27, 10:30am - 12:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Older Adults

Tue, May 27, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Tue, May 27, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For adults in their 20s and 30s.

Wed, May 28, 10:30am - 11:15am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
Ages birth to 5 years with a caregiver.

Wed, May 28, 10:30am - 11:15am
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 2 to 5 years with a caregiver.
This event is full

Wed, May 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Older Adults
This event is full

Wed, May 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
Adults

Wed, May 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 7 to 10 years old.
This event is full

Wed, May 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.

Wed, May 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Wed, May 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library
For families with school-aged children.

Wed, May 28, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
Everyone welcome

Wed, May 28, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Wed, May 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For tweens ages 9 to 12 years old.

Thu, May 29, 10:30am - 11:30am
McCormick Branch
Ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

Thu, May 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For kids ages 3 to 4 years with a caregiver. This program is intended for children entering kindergarten in September 2025.
This event is full

Thu, May 29, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
McCormick Branch
For tweens ages 8 to 12 years old.
This event is full

Thu, May 29, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Thu, May 29, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Adults
This event is full

Fri, May 30, All day
All library locations
For Families

Rescheduled
Sat, May 31, 10:00am - 11:00am
New date Saturday, May 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.

Sat, May 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For babies 0 to 12 months with a caregiver.

Sat, May 31, 11:00am - 11:45am
Eastside Branch - Program Room
For Families

Sat, May 31, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Families

Sat, May 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Sat, May 31, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Families

Mon, Jun 02, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Jun 02, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults

Wed, Jun 04, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - James J. Brown Auditorium
For Adults
Registration opens Wednesday, May 14 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Jun 04, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library
For families with school-aged children.
Registration opens Wednesday, May 14 2025 at 7:00pm

Wed, Jun 04, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
McCormick Branch
For Adults

Thu, Jun 05, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
John M. Harper Branch - Community Room
For Adults
This event is full

Rescheduled
Sat, Jun 07, 10:00am - 11:00am
New date Saturday, June 07, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.

Sat, Jun 07, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
McCormick Branch
For kids ages 6 to 9 years old.
This event is full

Mon, Jun 09, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
John M. Harper Branch - Program Room
For kids ages 6 to 8 years old.
This event is full