Last House Writing Contest call for entries

Submissions to MFK Fisher-inspired essay contest due Aug. 2.|
KATHLEEN HILL
INDEX-TRIBUNE FOOD & WINE EDITOR

“Do the foods we prepare, eat and share, and the ways we engage with the natural world around us, affect our very ability to survive and thrive?”

This question is asked to inspire writing for the second annual Last House Writing Contest, which invites emerging writers of all ages to submit original, unpublished essays, stories or articles that examine and explore how leaning into nature helps during challenging times.

The contest is sponsored by Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR), where MFK Fisher’s Last House was built by David Pleydell-Bouverie to Mary Frances’ specifications on his ranch. He built the house for her with the condition that when she passed away - Fisher died in 1992 - it would belong to him. Subsequently he gave this entire Bouverie Preserve to ACR, which now oversees the property among others.

In her book “How to Cook a Wolf,” Fisher wrote; “It is all a question of weeding out what you yourself like best to do, so that you can live most agreeably in a world full of an increasing number of disagreeable surprises.”

Entries will be accepted in three age categories: children age 8 to 12 and ages 13 to 17 with parent or legal guardian consent, and adults 18 and older.

Submit entries now through 5 p.m. on Aug. 2. Register at Eventbrite at bit.ly/3wabCo4. Winners will be announced Aug. 23 on egret.org, the website of ACR.

Entry fee is $35 for adults or free with new membership at ACR; and free to children and youth thanks to the Sonoma Valley Chapter of the North Bay Association of Realtors.

The panel of judges will include Marion Nestle, author and professor; Ruth Reichl, author and former editor of Gourmet magazine; Tanya Holland, author, chef and restaurateur; John Ash, chef, culinary teacher and radio host; Kennedy Golden, educator and daughter of MFK Fisher; yours truly, Kathleen Thompson Hill, journalist, author, radio host; Mayukh Sen, writer and educator; Traci des Jardins, chef and restaurateur; Celia Sack, owner of Omnivore Books; and Alice Waters, chef, author and activist.

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