Professor to cook up chocolate standard for education
by Jennifer Edwards
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Published: Monday, April 14, 2008 3:14 AM CDT
By Jennifer Edwards
Assistant Lifestyle Editor
The name for this sweet, immensely popular, sometimes gourmet food has become ubiquitous in pop culture: There are chocolate-colored phones and mocha couches, high-end bars and confections and gourmet brands.
But chocolate also has different dimensions, according to Romie Burks, a Southwestern University assistant professor of biology.
Burks, who teaches an interdisciplinary class called "Multi-Chocolated: an Aesthetic, Historical and Scientific Journey into the Wonders of Chocolate," will be on hand to explain some of these dimensions to attendees at this year's MISD Education Foundation fundraiser Saturday.
"Why chocolate? It's getting to be a lot more common," she said. "It's more mainstream in terms of the different types of chocolate. Whereas before, you would say chocolate and people would think of a Hershey's bar ... (now) even grocery stores are carrying so many different kinds of chocolate."
She said another aspect of chocolate many find interesting is its global span and epicurean appeal.
"High end chocolate is seen as something exciting because it does come from different countries and different makers," she said.
"It's going along in the same tone as wine and cheese and follows in the same vein as other gourmet foods. It's just a little behind."
Chocolate will, of course, be included in her talk, she said.
The event also will include another speaker, a teacher who was one of the first recipients of several grants funded by foundation fundraising efforts.
"There's going to be a ... presentation by Stephane Kirkpatrick who is one of the winners of the first round of 'Grants for Great Ideas,'" said Jamie Owen, foundation director.
The foundation presented Kirkpatrick a $1,000 grant for a multi-disciplinary exploration of the book "The Incredible Journey."
"She will be presenting a powerpoint to show how her grant is impacting the kids across disciplines -- science, math and reading."
The event takes place at 11:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church, 4000 W. Loop 250. Tickets are $25. For more information, call 689-1038.
Jennifer Edwards can be reached at jedwards@mrt.com.
On the Net:
www.misdfoundation.org.