Food at the Flower Show

There's long been an overlap between the interests of flora fanatics and food fiends. So this year, the Philadelphia Flower Show has ramped up its culinary offerings.

Gourmands interested in dirt-digging will want to see the 40-foot hydroponic lettuce and herb wall. It is near a garden featuring vegetables, including a trellis of tiny tomatoes, grown out of boots, buckets, and more. (BYO salad dressing.)

Those who prefer the stove to the soil should check the schedule for happenings in the Culinary Room, which is being presented by Organic Gardening magazine. There are cooking demonstrations from international (Sarah Fioroni of Poggio Alloro farm in Tuscany) to quite near (Aimee Olexy of Talula's Table and Talula's Garden), along with experts and chefs. Plus, editors and writers from that magazine and beyond, discussing things such as winter salads and making the best use of the freezer.

If you are more interested in eating than cooking, Aramark will create an onsite restaurant, which will stick with the show's Hawaiian theme and have a buffet with island options, such as a green papaya salad and Kalua-style pork. Also, local shops such as DiBruno Bros. will have booths serving up snacks.

The Philadelphia International Flower Show runs from March 4 to 11 at the Convention Center. For a full list of events, go to theflowershow.com.

- Ashley Primis

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