The Progressive Culinary Arts Movement

The House Parties
The Progressive Culinary Arts Movement (PCAM) was founded by Ian Fisk (your author) and John Halbert in early 1993. We think there have been about 100 dinners. PCAMs have been held in San Francisco, Boston, New York City, New Haven, CT, Bel Air, MD, Brentwood, MD, Washington, DC, Charlottesville, VA, and Arlington, VA. Mostly they've been held at the residences of either Ian Fisk or Steve Friedman.

The increasingly mis-named troika of Chefs:
Master Chef: Steve Friedman, Dinner by Design
Founding Chef: John Halbert, Talented Earthquake Productions
Dentavakistahn: Betsy L. Morse
Cinderblock Cooking: Lorin E. Kleinman

Master Host: Ian T. Fisk, Disco Beat Publishing
Associate Chefs: Greg Morse, Lee Noel Chase, Michael Howes, & Ian Fisk

The Road Trip
In 1993 (east side) and the winter of 2001-2002 (west side) I decided to get to know Adams Morgan. So with John Halbert (in 1993) and Lorin Kleinman (2001-02) and a cast of irregulars (always) I journeyed to every restaurant between T Street and Columbia Road on 18th street in Adams Morgan. Of course, several of the restaurants we went to changed owners and names before we even finished making our way up the street. Details of the road trip can be found on this page.

This page contains a chronological and occasionally photographic history of the house parties of the Progressive Culinary Arts Movement. Most of the pictures and all of the menus are associated with the PCAM dinner in the same row.  For a full-page image of the menus, either click on the small menu picture or, if you see a link to Menu, that.

August 20th, 2005
Location: Outside of Charlottesville, VA
Chef: Steve Friedman
Hosts: Steve Friedman, Fiona Russell, Lorin Kleinman, and Ian Fisk

Food:

Peppered Seafood Gumbo over seasoned rice
Grilled Sweet corn on the cob with lime-chili butter
Savory Watermelon Salad with sweet onions, balsamic vinaigrette and feta

April 16th, 2005

Location: Brentwood, MD

		Chefs and Hosts: Lorin Kleinman, and Ian Fisk
Event Invitation

November 6th, 2004 Brentwood, MD Chefs: Lorin Kleinman and Ian Fisk	Event Invitation
August 21st, 2004 Location: Outside of Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman Hosts: Steve Friedman, Fiona Russell, Lorin Kleinman, and Ian Fisk	Event Invitation
Spring, 2004 Hosts and Chefs: Lorin Kleinman and Ian Fisk Brentwood, MD - Under the Stars
Halloween, 2003 Brentwood, MD
September 6th, 2003 Location: Outside of Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman Hosts: Fiona Russell, Steve Friedman, Lorin Kleinman, and Ian Fisk
May 17th, 2003 Chef: Betsy Morse and Lorin Kleinman Hosts: Greg and Betsy Morse and Ian Fisk Location: Arlington, VA
March 8th, 2003 Location: Brentwood, MD Chef: Steve (Sort of) PCAM's 10th Anniversary
November 2, 2002 Brentwood, MD
August 10th, 2002 Chefs: Steve Friedman, John Halbert, and Fiona Russell Location: Brentwood, MD Ian and Lorin's Wedding
July 6th, 2002 Brentwood, MD
May 4th, 2002 Location: Outside of Charlottesville, VA Theme: The Water Runneth Out
November 10th, 2001 Location: Above a video store in Cambridge, MA Chef: Lee Noel Chase Host: Ian Fisk and Lee Noel Chase
October 27th, 2001 Delafield Place in Washington, DC Chefs: Lorin Kleinman and Betsy Morse Host: Ian Fisk Menu: Pumpkin Soup in its shell, Pasta con la noce Pesto delgi sinazi, and Apfelpie chart und schokolade Kuchen.
August 25, 2001 Location: Outside of Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk and Steve Friedman Theme: If the clothes (don't) fit...
June 30, 2001 Arlington, VA in the Morse Kingdom Chef: Betsy Morse Host: Ian Fisk, Greg and Betsy Morse Menu: Borsht, Dimlama (veggie optional) served with pirashki and homemade onion dill bread, Homemade dill & onion bread, Vodka, Dirt
March 31st, 2001 Foster Street in New Haven, CT Chef: Michael Howes. Assistance from: Marcy Engler and Daniel Gottlieb. Phrase: What Comes Next. (Written in 25 Languages.)
February 3rd, 2001 Foster Street in New Haven, CT Chef: Michael Howes Host: Ian Fisk Phrase: Springtime Better Be in the Air
December 16th, 2000 Downtown Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Kevin Lynch
December 9th, 2000 Foster Street in New Haven, CT Chefs: Michael Howes and Ian Fisk Host: Ian Fisk
October 30, 2000 Downtown Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Kevin Lynch
October 21, 2000 Foster Street in New Haven, CT Chefs: Michael Howes and Martha Castano Host: Ian Fisk
July 1st, 2000 Arlington, VA in the Morse Kingdom Chefs: Betsy L. Morse and John Halbert Host: Greg and Betsy Morse
April 29th, 2000 Charlottesville, VA Chef: John Halbert Host: Steve Friedman Terry and Heidi's Wedding
April 1st, 2000 Downtown Boston, MA Chefs: John Halbert and Lee Noel Chase Host: Seth Miller

February 12th, 2000 Foster Street in New Haven, CT Chef: John Halbert Host: Ian Fisk
October 23rd, 1999 Chefs: Ian, John, Lee Noel Chase, and Margaret Friedman. New Haven, CT Santa Claus cooks.
August, 21, 1999 Willard Street, DC Chefs: Steve Friedman and John Halbert Menu: Ribollita (an Italian peasant soup, made with real peasants) and PCAM House Salad (in remembrance of things past) Ian leaves for grad school. Competitive fund-raiser held, $1,000 raised for Hands On DC. Annie Mac co-hosts, presents PCAM Awards.
June 19th, 1999 Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman
April 24th, 1999 Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman
March 19th, 1999 Willard Street, DC
January 30th, 1999 Heidi did the menu, from the looks of it. Charlottesville, VA
December 5th, 1998 Willard Street, DC
November 7th, 1998 In Marin County, CA
October 24th, 1998 A Quattro Birthday Celebration Willard Street, DC
August 29th, 1998 Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Steve Friedman and Ian Fisk and Heidi Waters. Chips with Mango / Black Bean Salsa, Tortellini with Argula, and Shiitake Mushrooms in Brother, Spinach Salad with Toasted Rye, Roasted Red Peppers, Baby Tomatoes and Hearts of Palm with Garlic-Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms. "From the Gloaming to the Gleaming: The Walnut Creek Incident"
July 1998 Chefs: John Halbert and Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk John: Cucumber Salad, Eggplant Ragout, Oranges marinated in Liqueurs over ice cream. Steve: Sweet and Savory Gazpacho, Mushroom not-quite Risotto, Spiced Coffee Frappe. "07:00 PM Until Deron runs out of show tunes to lead us in."
February 28th, 1998 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Portable Art Returns Spinach-Romaine Salad with Mixed-Herb Dijon Vinaigrette, Sun-Dried Tomato, Olives and Feta. Thai Rice Soup with Coconut and Snow Peas. Marinated Portabellas over Whiskey Smashed Yams.
January 24th, 1998 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Mixed Reds with Cumin Vinaigrette, Ginger-Rosemary Tomato Soup, Fusilli with Swiss Chard, Artichoke Hearts and Walnuts. "Truth is absolutely and completely a matter of style. And Vernon Jordon has been invited to attend for those of you who have recently acted on that belief and may need his assistance."
November 1st, 1997 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Bridge O'Keefe Location: Ian's place on Willard Street in DC. Not that he was there. Pumpkin-Black Bean Soup, Red Butter Lettuce Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Sautéed Portabella Mushrooms and Bleu cheese, and Green Apple Risotto. Costume Ideas: Something you'd rather not have to explain to a senate confirmation hearing, a conspiracy theory, and someone you'd like to have an affair with. This was a pre-party for the Washington Free Clinic fund raiser event Ian was running that night. Quote of the evening -- "If you already have your tickets, please proceed directly to the leather queens."
September 27th, 1997 Willard Street, DC Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Mesclun Greens with Tangerine-Ginger Vinaigrette, Tortilla Soup, Greek Pasta with Feta Cheese Sauce
August 23rd, 1997 Kevin's place on Locust Avenue in Charlottesville, VA Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk and Kevin Lynch Ode to Gazpacho, Asian Mixed Greens with Shoyu-Tehini Dressing, and Toasted Quinoa with Mixed Mushrooms and Eggplant "Tubing Rocks. Getting to play with the band is even cooler."
July 18th, 1997 Willard Street, DC Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Sweet and Soup Corn Soup, Wilted Kale with Ginger, Potato/Chick-Pea Chapatis with Peanut Sauce
March 29th, 1997 Capitol Hill, DC Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk and Bridge O'Keefe Chopped Greek Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives, Zuppa Di Lentichie, Penne Rigati with Peas and Walnuts "5 Birthdays, 150 people"
February 22nd, 1997 Willard Street, DC Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk, with thanks to Terry Thorsen Asian-mix Salad with Tomato-Ginger Dressing, Bok Choy-Carrot Soup, Marco Polo Pasta with Braised Broccoli and Garlic-Tofu Balls
February 1st, 1997 Willard Street, DC Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Swiss Chard-Chick Pea Soup with North African Seasonings, Three Greens Salad with Almond Vinaigrette and Dates, Burmese Ginger Curry
December 15, 1996 The East Village, NYC Chef: John Halbert Hosts: John Halbert and Ian Fisk Photographer: Umberto Robin Romano Tomato-Potato-Pepper, Curried Fruit Pizza, Apple Pear Spinach Salad, with White Russian Dressing, and Radicchio Babylon
November 16th, 1996 Woodley Park, DC Chef: Steve Friedman Hosts: Keith Finch and Ian "They're re-doing my water-heater" Fisk Mixed Green Salad with Pumpkin Vinaigrette, Ribollita, and Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes. "An Evening of Audaciousness"
October 19, 1996 Willard Street, DC Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian "In lieu of presents, please bring a donation to Hands on DC" Fisk Gingered Pumpkin-Carrot Soup, Sautéed Brown Rice with Mushrooms, Butternut Squash Cratin, Aged Scotch Ale. Costume Options: Character from a B Movie, A reason a presidential candidate won't or shouldn't get elected, or a childhood fantasy.

September 21, 1996 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian "All Labor Fell from a Trapeze Today" Fisk "The Madness -- That's where you come in." Menu: Curried Zucchini Soup, Rosemary Bread Cruschetta, Italian Sautéed Eggplant and Broccoli
August 2nd, 1996 Chef: Steve "Schedules? Who needs 'em?" Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Location: Willard Street, DC Menu: Eastern Sweet Potato Vichyssoise, Arugula Salad w/ Toasted Walnuts, Gorgonzola & Raspberry Vinaigrette, Penne w/ Sun dried Tomatoes, Mushrooms, and Zucchini In Memory of Roger Torry Peterson.
May 24th, 1996 Chef: Steve "I order 'shrooms by the case" Friedman Host: Ian "We take pleasure in stuffing you inside the food pyramid" Fisk Location: Willard Street, DC "Build your playgrounds, and get your HFStival / Blues Bash Tickets here" Menu: Indian Yogurt-Corn Soup, Marinated Broiled Portabella Mushrooms, Herb-Crusted Potatoes with aromatic butter.
April 20th, 1996 Chefs: Ian Fisk and whatever food people brought. Host: Ian Fisk Location: Willard Street, DC Menu: The Duron -- Anything except what you wanted. "Hands On DC as the Brady Bunch."
March 9th, 1996 Chefs: Steven Friedman (with a guest appearance by John Halbert) Hosts: Ian Fisk and Dina Friedman Location: Bel Air, MD "Where Cliff redefines another f-word." Menu: Potato Leek Soup, Risotto, Dahl
January 20th, 1996 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Location: Willard Street, DC Menu: In Motion First reference to "Please bring drink, dessert, or donation to Hands on DC."
September 15th, 1995 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Location: Willard Street, DC (The first at this site! Life is hard of hearing - laugh loud.) Menu: Summer Cantaloupe Bisque, Moroccan Squash, Potatoes a la greeque
Summer, 1995 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Drew and Melissa McMorrow and Ian Fisk Location: San Francisco, CA
Springtime, 1995 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk and Steve Friedman Location: Charlottesville, VA Menu: Pumpkin-Gruyere Soup, Sweet Potato and Wild Rice Pancakes, Mediterranean Chick Pea Salad
February 24th, 1995 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Location: Adams Mill Road, DC (2-Year Anniversary. Know your limits and blithely ignore them.) Menu: Roman Chickpea Soup with Passatelli, Polenta with Roasted Herbs, Mushrooms Picasso
January 13th, 1995 Chef: Steve Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Location: Adams Mill Road, DC (During the Warmest Winter on Record) Menu: Tarragon Sweet Pea and Potato Soup, Panatela, Penne and Vegetables with Sherry Sauce
October 29th, 1994 Chefs: Steven Friedman and Andrew LaPera Host: Ian Fisk Location: The Roof of Ian's apartment on Adams Mill Road, DC The Menu was in motion.
August 20th, 1994 Chef: Steven Friedman Host: Ian Fisk Location: Adams Mill Road, DC "Dinner will be served under a spiral staircase. So don't come dizzy." The Menu was in motion.
June 18, 1994 Chefs: Steven Friedman and Betsy Linsenmeyer Host: Ian Fisk Location: Adams Mill Road, DC "John Halbert did not die in a fatal frosting accident. He moved to Detroit. The difference? It's a question of taste." Menu: Thai Garlic Soup, Pad Thai, Zucchini Ankara.
April 1994: John Halbert flees DC, and Steve Friedman steps in as PCAM Master Chef, so PCAMs go vegetarian. We were doing 11 PCAMs a year (with a combined November/December) from February '93 to April of '95, so some menus are clearly missing here.
October 31st, 1993 Chef: John Halbert Host: Ian Fisk Location: The Washington House on 16th Street, DC "If we can't just do it, we don't want to be part of your progressive culinary arts movement." Menu:: Pumpkin Soup, Grilled Vegetable Pizzas, Corn Relish Served on Belgian Endive with Raspberry Vinaigrette, Herb Roasted Chicken, and Comice Pears. Costume Options: A Clinton Appointee, A Scandal, or a potential '96 Presidential Candidate. (This was the first annual Halloween event.)
September 19th, 1993 Chef: John Halbert Host: Ian Fisk Location: The Washington House on 16th Street, DC "A radical is someone with both feet planted firmly in the clouds." Menu:: Radicchio Babylon, Minestrone, Pumpkin Tortellini, Pesto Linguini, and Tiramisu
July 18th, 1993 Chef: John Halbert Host: Ian Fisk Location: Swann Street, DC "Truth is absolutely and Completely a matter of style." First use of PCAM logo, designed by Tom Gearty under the rubric of "More Weight Design Services." Menu:: Gazpacho, Cucumber Mint Salad and Arborrio Rice, Pizza with Apples, Brie, and Roasted Red Peppers, Curried Chicken with Peach Chutney, Baked Alaska
June 19th, 1993 Ian Fisk and John Halbert form the Progressive Culinary Arts Movement. Ian's job is to make things happen. John's is to make those things beautiful. Lee Noel Chase appointed first associate.
June 11th 1993 Chef: John Halbert Host: Ian Fisk Location: Swann Street, DC "Because there is a time to focus, and there is a time to eat." Menu: Shrimp Gumbo, Hawaiian Pizza, Santa Fe Caesar Salad, Jerk Chicken Sandwiches, and Mango Mousse Barbados
May 22nd, 1993 Chef: John Halbert Host: Ian Fisk Location: Swann Street, DC (Regarded as the first formal PCAM) Menu: Fruit Salad with Tropical Hollandaise, House Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Asparagus Pizza, Pasta Mascarpone, and Chocolate Chip Meringue Cookies
Between February and May of 1993, there were 3-5  dinners at The Washington House which featured Ian as both Host and Chef. This turned out to be a questionable concept, and when John came in to cook, allowing Ian to focus on his competitive advantage of hosting, things got much better.