"Conversations in the Kitchen with John Michael Lerma, Terry Dullum" is Oct. 17 How does one go from earning a degree in English to becoming a corporate chef and regular in the Food Network’s cooking competitions? Join former Grand Forks resident and UND English alum, John Michael Lerma (B.A., 1989), as he and WDAZ anchor Terry Dullum “dish” during “Conversations in the Kitchen with John Michael Lerma.” John Michael, a corporate chef and restaurant critic in Minneapolis, is the author of Garden County: Where everyone is welcome to sit at the table, and Garden County Pie: Sweet and savory delights from the table of John Michael. Lerma will demonstrate his celebrated “Piemaling,” a technique of decorating the top crust of pies, featured on the Food Network Challenge American Pie Festival, as he delights us with stories of his repeat wins at the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 National Pie Championship in Celebration, Fla. John Michael also runs cooking seminars in Tuscany and the Yucatan each year. Sample his delicious cooking and enjoy his wonderful storytelling. And -- because John Michael has been selected to represent Emile Henry cookware, he has generously agreed to donate a nine-inch Emile Henry ceramic pie dish as a door prize at this event. Lerma’s first cookbook will be available for purchase and signing. The event is free and open to the public from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at the UND Wellness Center, The Burnt Toast Kitchen. The new name for the kitchen will be revealed during this event. The event is sponsored jointly by the English Department and the Wellness Center. For a full list of homecoming events hosted by the English Department, go to http://www.english.und.edu. -- Kathleen King, Sr. Lecturer, English/Women Studies, kathleen_king@und.nodak.edu, 701-777-2787