A crowd in excess of 200 filled the Masonic Hall on Sunday, Oct. 11 to enjoy local food, all of which was prepared and supplied by well known chefs and cooks from West Seattle and the Northwest at Eat Local Now.

This, the sixth annual staging of the event, saw local exhibitors, and heard speakers all focused on the ideas of sustainability and eating locally grown food.

The menu included salmon and catfish sushi rolls prepared by Chef Hajime Sato of Mashiko's Sushi Bar, roasted winter squash and carrot soup from Spud.com prepared by Chef Bill Taylor of Talaris Conference Center, several salads and miso-glazed salmon from Chef Dalis Chea of Fresh Bistro Cafe.

Several other main courses and dessert were served including chocolate bread pudding with mint creme by Chef Toby Matasar of Eats Market Cafe.

Speakers at the event included Hajime Sato, talking about sustainable sushi, John Garfunkel for Global Source Network and Betsey Wittick of Bainbridge Island Vineyards who explored "Bridging Classrooms and Communities through food, farming, culture and education."

Siri Erickson-Brown and Jason Salvo talked about the local roots farm, "On Becoming a farmer." and Dave Muehlesein, the education director for 21 Acres spoke about "Local Food; Where to from here?"

One of the most entertaining moments of the evening came from a poem written and read by Michael Seliga and his wife, Stephanie, who half sang and recited a work entitled "Food Warrior." The couple prompted a standing ovation from the crowd.

Also included in the evening's activities were a silent auction and music provided by West Seattle's Doo Wah Sisters.