Food writers invited to meet-and-greet in Minneapolis

The Association of Food Journalists (afjonline.com) is hosting a meet-and-greet for food writers on April 27 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Lynhall (2640 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.), in the Linney Studio, as the Women Chefs and Restaurateurs' national conference begins in Minneapolis. Snacks and plenty of conversation, plus cash bar. $10 admission; register at Eventbrite at tinyurl.com/yyvnp9pv.

There will be more than the usual chatter about food next week as Women Chefs and Restaurateurs lands in the Twin Cities for its annual conference, April 27-29, to be held at Hotel Emery and the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, and at St. Paul College in St. Paul. Whether it's creating a better restaurant work environment (see "Changing Bro Culture One Chick at a Time"), changing kitchen strategies ("Food Waste Is a Problem That Is Not Going Away"), discussing staffing issues ("How to Deal With the Worst Labor Crisis in History") or searching for funding sources, the programming focuses on the practicalities of the restaurant business for women. And, of course, there will be plenty of good food and networking opportunities. For details, see WomenChefs.org.

If you have never visited Iceland, no worries. Iceland is headed our way. At least "A Taste of Iceland" is, from May 2-5 in the Twin Cities. Look for Icelandic food, music, art and the proverbial "more" for this festival that has appeared elsewhere in the U.S.

Among the food-related options is an Icelandic menu that will be available at Red Stag Supperclub in Minneapolis, developed by chef Viktor Örn Andrésson, an Icelandic culinary superstar.

Think chicken liver and spruce, cod and langoustine with sea buckthorn berries, lamb and oyster mushrooms. Reservations are $75 per person (509 1st Av. NE., Mpls., redstagsupperclub.com, 612-767-7766). A free Icelandic cocktail class will be held on the Hewing Hotel rooftop (300 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 651-468-0400, hewinghotel.com) on May 2 from 5-7 p.m. Find festival info at tinyurl.com/yy6xlj7r.