OUR NEW BOOK ...

Hi everyone, we've been receiving a lot of e-mails regarding our latest cookbook, The Vegan Scoop, but we've also been receiving a lot of inquiries about a rumored second book by Wheeler del Torro.

To confirm the rumors: YES! We are in the process of writing another vegan cookbook, to be released Fall 2010.

The working title is Bring On The Night: An Invitation To Underground Dinner Parties, Picnics, Culinary Rescues, and Other Epicurean Adventures.

We're so excited to be writing again and testing out new dairy-free recipes! Stay updating on further developments of our book by checking our blog regularly!

Thanks for your support!

Literary Deathmatch in Boston!

Hi everyone! We just stopped by to let everyone know about this great event occurring in Boston on January 13th! After a stirring (and noisy) debut last April, Opium returns to Boston with a talent-rich lineup to heat up icy New England. The fundraising event doubles as the launch of Opium9: The Mania Issue. See readers Elisa Gabbert (Thanks for Sending the Engine) representing Open Letters, Steven Brykman (Four Stories), Janaka Stucky (Handsome) and a Quick Fiction reader-rep!

Plus, brilliant judges Billy Giraldi (senior fiction editor of AGNI), comedian Lamont Price and a female musician TBA that'll knock your (and our) socks clean off! Hosted by Opium founding editor Todd Zuniga.

Boston Literary Deathmatch
Doors at 7, show at 8:05 (sharp), afterparty: 9:30 at Enormous Room.
Enormous Room, 569 Massachusetts Avenue
Cost: $10 includes a free copy of Opium9, cover price of $12

Opium’s Literary Death Match, co-created by Opium’s founding editor, Todd Zuniga (pictured), Elizabeth Koch & Dennis DiClaudio, marries the literary and performative aspects of Def Poetry Jam, rapier-witted quips of American Idol’s judging (without any meanness), and the ridiculousness and hilarity of Double Dare.

Each episode of this competitive, humor-centric reading series features a thrilling mix of four famous and emerging authors (all representing a literary publication, press or concern--either online or in print) who perform their most electric writing (in eight minutes or less) before a lively audience and a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readings, the judges—focused on literary merit, performance and intangibles—take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary about each story, then select their favorite to advance to the finals.

To satisfy your curiosity, here's a short video of an LDM featuring Paco Romane:



Hope to see you there!

Literary Deathmatch in Chicago, IL!

Hi everyone! We just stopped by to let everyone know about this great event occurring in Chicago on January 14th, 2010. The Literary Death Match returns for LDM Chicago Ep. 4, an epic mid-winter battle that will electrify (and thus, somewhat, heat) the Windy City. The fundraiser event doubles as the midwest launch of Opium9: The Mania Issue. See readers James Kennedy (The Order of Odd-Fish) representing Featherproof Books, Rebekah Silverman representing Artifice, Andy Farkas representing Subito Press and Davis Schneiderman!

Plus, a trio of all-star judges that includes Kathleen Rooney (featured in Opium9), Girls Guide to Rocking scribe Jessica Hopper and Shawnimals genius Shawn Smith. Hosted by Opium founding editor Todd Zuniga.

Chicago Literary Deathmatch
Upstairs at Fizz, 3220 North Lincoln Avenue
Doors at 7, show at 7:30, afterparty: downstairs at 9
$10 (includes a free copy of Opium9, cover price of $12

Opium’s Literary Death Match, co-created by Opium’s founding editor, Todd Zuniga (pictured), Elizabeth Koch & Dennis DiClaudio, marries the literary and performative aspects of Def Poetry Jam, rapier-witted quips of American Idol’s judging (without any meanness), and the ridiculousness and hilarity of Double Dare.

Each episode of this competitive, humor-centric reading series features a thrilling mix of four famous and emerging authors (all representing a literary publication, press or concern--either online or in print) who perform their most electric writing (in eight minutes or less) before a lively audience and a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readings, the judges—focused on literary merit, performance and intangibles—take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary about each story, then select their favorite to advance to the finals.

To satisfy your curiosity, here's a short video of an NYC LDM featuring Gavin McInnis & Todd Barry:



Hope to see you there!

Literary Deathmatch in Dallas, TX!

Hi everyone! We just stopped by to let everyone know about this great event occurring in Dallas, Texas on January 15th, 2010. After a dazzling Texas debut at the Texas Book Festival on Halloween, the Literary Deathmatch returns to the Lone Star State for LDM Dallas, Ep. 1 at the Dallas Museum of Art (as part of their Arts & Letters Live series). The event brings together a Texas-sized roster of talent with each reader representing a different urban center. See Amelia Gray (Austin), Will Clarke (Dallas), William Razavi (San Antonio), and Katherine Center (Houston). All to be judged by a trio of all-stars in author Ben Fountain (Brief Encounters with Che Guevera), actress Tina Parker, and Owen Egerton (How Best to Avoid Dying). Hosted by Opium's founding editor Todd Zuniga.

Dallas Literary Deathmatch
January 15th, 2010
Doors at 7, show at 7:30.
Dallas Museum of Art, Horchow Auditorium, 1717 North Harwood Street
Tickets are included with the cost of General Admission to the Museum and can be reserved in advance.

Opium’s Literary Death Match, co-created by Opium’s founding editor, Todd Zuniga (pictured), Elizabeth Koch & Dennis DiClaudio, marries the literary and performative aspects of Def Poetry Jam, rapier-witted quips of American Idol’s judging (without any meanness), and the ridiculousness and hilarity of Double Dare.

Each episode of this competitive, humor-centric reading series features a thrilling mix of four famous and emerging authors (all representing a literary publication, press or concern--either online or in print) who perform their most electric writing (in eight minutes or less) before a lively audience and a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readings, the judges—focused on literary merit, performance and intangibles—take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary about each story, then select their favorite to advance to the finals.

To satisfy your curiosity, here's a short video of an NYC LDM featuring Gavin McInnis:



Hope to see you there!

Wheeler del Torro, Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Co. @ The 19th Annual Boston Wine Expo 2010

Hi everyone, we are pleased to announce that we are exhibiting at the 19th Annual Boston Wine Expo this year! The largest trade and consumer wine event in the country takes place on January 23-24, 2010 at the Seaport World Trade Center and Seaport Hotel. No other event in New England, or the whole country for that matter, offers as wide a variety of wines to tantalize your palette. Over 450 wineries from around the globe pour over 1,800 wines for you to sample. It’s simply the biggest and the best!

"America's largest consumer wine expo might also be its best wine-tasting deal." --Food & Wine Magazine, October 2006


Meet your favorite winemakers in this special feature area returning in 2010 and learn the secrets of their wines. Sample wines from over 450 international wineries in one location. Some 1,800 wines in all!

Watch over 15 celebrity chefs in action on two stages, taste samples, and bring their recipes home with you. Learn something new at 26 continuous seminars with topics for both the novice and the connoisseur.

Pamper yourself by visiting the ultra-special Grand Cru Wine Lounge. The Lounge is located in a private setting away from the show floor for your enjoyment. Sample the best of the best and relax in this intimate area. Featuring an al-new lineup of vintages!

Boston Wine Expo
January 23-24, 2010
Seaport World Trade Center and Seaport Hotel
Visit their website for more info!

The Boston Wine Expo makes a significant impact on the non-profit community in New England, generating valuable philanthropic dollars for many organizations. Over $700,000 has been distributed by the Boston Guild of Oenophilists, Inc. to over 27 charitable entities since the event's inception.

Hope to see you there!

Attn: Washington D.C.!

Hi everyone, we are happy to announce that we will be participating in the NBC Health and Fitness Expo in Washington D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on January 16th and 17th of 2010. To find out more information about the event, please visit their website: NBC Health and Fitness Expo. Hope to see you there!

ATTN NYC: LITERARY DEATHMATCH

Hi everyone! We just wanted to let everyone know in NYC (and possibly Boston) about this great event that we are going to be attending on Thursday. Taking place on December 17th 2009, the Literary Deathmatch is an event that is not to be missed. It is a free event hosted at the Bowery Poetry Club; doors at 7:00pm & the show at 8:15pm. Drinks until 10pm! There is also an after party at Von, located at 3 Bleeker street. Here is more information about Literary Deathmatch from their website, for those who are interested in attending:


Opium’s Literary Death Match, co-created by Opium’s founding editor, Todd Zuniga (pictured), Elizabeth Koch & Dennis DiClaudio, marries the literary and performative aspects of Def Poetry Jam, rapier-witted quips of American Idol’s judging (without any meanness), and the ridiculousness and hilarity of Double Dare.

Each episode of this competitive, humor-centric reading series features a thrilling mix of four famous and emerging authors (all representing a literary publication, press or concern--either online or in print) who perform their most electric writing (in eight minutes or less) before a lively audience and a panel of three all-star judges. After each pair of readings, the judges—focused on literary merit, performance and intangibles—take turns spouting hilarious, off-the-wall commentary about each story, then select their favorite to advance to the finals.

The two finalists then compete in the Literary Death Match finale, which trades in the show’s literary sensibility for an absurd and comical climax to determine who takes home the Literary Death Match crown.

It may sound like a circus—and that's half the point. Opium and the Literary Death Match have long been passionate about inspecting new and innovative ways to present text on the page and off of it, and the most fascinating part about the LDM is how seriously attentive the audience is during each reading. We've called this the great literary ruse: an audacious and inviting title, a harebrained finale, but in-between the judging creates a relationship with the viewer as a judge themselves.

Our ultimate goal is to perform the Literary Death Match all over the world, and to continue to showcase literature as a brilliant, unstoppable medium.

As a gift to all ye literary faithful, this shortened holiday episode will be free (a gift to our fans)! Plus, so we can celebrate with you with time to spare, we'll be doing a "lightning round" version of the event, in which readers read for four minutes or less, and judges have a minute and a half time limit (and the holiday-themed finale is not to be missed).

Judges include Ben Greenman of the New Yorker, Devorah Rose (Social Life magazine), Jared Bloom (Full Ginsburg) and readers Terese Svoboda (Weapons Grade), Elna Baker (The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance), James Yeh (of Gigantic) and LDM first-timer Jason Helm!

Plus, a holiday-themed finale that will revolutionize literary events forever!

Literary Deathmatch
December 17
Bowery Poetry Club (map), Doors: 7:00, Show: 8:15 (sharp), Drinks: until 10!
Afterparty at Von at 10 p.m. (map)
Sponsored by Against Nature

REMINDER: Attn: Philadelphia!

Hi everyone, the holidays are nearing and Wheeler has been extremely busy with book signings and making ice cream! To add to the holiday bustle, we're adding another event to our calendar!

Wheeler del Torro will be in Philadelphia, PA at the UPenn bookstore on December 11th for a book signing and ice cream tasting! The event starts at noon, so be sure to get there on time to receive our free vegan desserts.





See you there!

Wheeler del Torro, Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Co. at The Boston Bizaare Bazaar!

Hi everyone, it's that time of year again! Although Wheeler is already busy making batches of ice cream and other desserts for the holidays, we've add another event to our calendar this season! We will be participating in this year's Boston Bazaar Bizarre this Sunday, December 6th from 12PM-6PM at the BCA Cyclorama. Admission is $1, but it is totally worth it to check out some of these amazing crafty & creative vendors - as well as sample some of our seasonal flavors of ice cream.



Bazaar Bizarre began in 2001 in the Boston-area as a hodge-podge of friends and acquaintances cobbling together their handcrafted DIY wares to sell and staging an offbeat entertainment extravaganza. In 2004 the Bazaar Bizarre spread to Los Angeles and Cleveland and in 2006 Make took us under their wing to include the Bazaar Bizarre as part of the Maker Faire in the San Francisco-area every spring. The Bazaars in Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles and San Francisco happen every year during peak holiday shopping season in December.

Boston Bazaar Bizarre
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
Noon-7pm
BCA Cyclorama
539 Tremont St
Boston, MA
Admission $1

Attn: Philadelphia!

Hi everyone, the holidays are nearing and Wheeler has been extremely busy with book signings and making ice cream! To add to the holiday bustle, we're adding another event to our calendar!

Wheeler del Torro will be in Philadelphia, PA at the UPenn bookstore on December 11th for a book signing and ice cream tasting! The event starts at noon, so be sure to get there on time to receive our free vegan desserts.





See you there!

Boston Vegetarian Festival 2009!

Hi everyone, we are happy to announce that the annual Boston Vegetarian Festival is this weekend! Now extended to two full days in length, the Festival kicks off on Saturday, October 31 and continues on Sunday, November 1st. There will be plenty of free food, cooking demonstrations, and guest speakers including none other than Wheeler del Torro himself. Wheeler will be speaking at 5:15PM on Saturday with a panel of vegan and vegetarian lifestyle experts, discussing plant-based eating, becoming vegetarian, the social aspects of vegan and vegetarian diets, as well as answering audience questions.

Our Festival brings together an amazing array of vegetarian natural food providers, top national speakers and chefs, and educational exhibitors in a fun and welcoming environment. It is a chance to talk directly to food producers, learn the newest items in the marketplace, taste free food samples, shop at show special discounts, or simply learn what vegetarian foods are available and where you can find them!

Whether you are a longtime vegetarian or vegan, or someone simply wanting to add more healthy and delicious foods to your meal repertoire, or if you are just curious what it's all about, you are welcome here! We offer you free admission, free food sampling, free speaker presentations, free parking and a T stop across the street.





Boston Vegetarian Festival
Reggie Lewis Athletic Center
1350 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Saturday, October 31, 2009, 10AM - 6PM
Sunday, November 1, 2009, 10AM - 4PM

Free admission, free parking.
Closest MBTA stop: Orange line, Roxbury Crossing or #66 bus

Wheeler will be speaking at 5:15PM, Saturday October 31 and will be signing copies of The Vegan Scoop immediately following.

SEE YOU THERE!

Common Gets "The Vegan Scoop" from Chef Wheeler del Torro during Maxwell, Common and Chrisette Michele Tour at the Verizon Center

Wheeler Introduces New Fall Flavors
Common Describes Himself as a "Maple, Butter Pecan and Walnut Brotha"



High-res images are available here.

Author and vegan chef Wheeler del Torro gives actor and rapper Common a copy of his latest recipe book, The Vegan Scoop, along with some ice cream samples backstage afer the Maxwell, Common, Chrisette Michele concert at the Verizon Center in Washington DC. Common, once a vegan and now a vegetarian, couldn't wait to dig into the Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chip flavored pints. "Wow, this is some good stuff," said Common of Wheeler's Frozen Desserts. "I'm a maple walnut, butter pecan kinda brotha," said Common when asked his favorite flavors.

Del Torro Offers a Healthy Alternative to Dairy during the Fall/Winter Holiday

Just in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Wheeler introduces several new holiday flavors including Pumpkin Pie, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato Pie, Cranberry Sorbet, Mint Hot Chocolate and Peach Cobbler. Contact veganicecream@verizon.net for photos, info and samples while supplies last.

About The Vegan Scoop by Wheeler del Torro
Wheeler del Torro is the founder of Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Co. and owner of Wheeler's Cafe and Vegan Ice Cream Parlor in Boston. After years of experimenting with texture, color, flavor and innovative technology, Wheeler created a vegan ice cream that rivals "the real thing." His book, The Vegan Scoop (Fair Winds Press/June 2009/$19.99 paperback) brings the pleasures of the ice cream shop into the home with 150 rich and creamy recipes for delicious frozen desserts. The recipes feature all vegan-certified ingredients, making them suitable for both vegans and those looking for dairy alternatives.

Wheeler del Torro, Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Co. @ Green Festivals in Washington D.C., Oct. 10-11 2009

Hi everyone, this weekend we will be in Washington D.C. for the annual Green Festival! Taking place October 10th-11th, Green Festival is the largest Green Event in the nation. We will be serving up a TON of our specialty vegan ice cream flavors, so be sure to check out the event if you're in the area!

"At Green Festivals™, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, we’re celebrating what’s working in our communities—for people, business and the environment. Here, green means safe, healthy communities and a strong local economy. Join us at the nation’s premier sustainability events, where you will see the best in green. Enjoy more than 125 authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music."

Green Festivals™
Washington D.C.

October 10-11, 2009
Saturday 10AM - 7PM
Sunday 11AM - 6PM

Washington Convention Center
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001

See you there!

Wheeler del Torro, Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Co. featured on Vegetarian Star!

Hey everyone, check out this great article that the animal-friendly blog, Vegetarian Star, posted about Wheeler's encounter with Erykah Badu. Thanks Veg Star! Enjoy!

"A recent article at CNN touches on celebrity foodies and opens up with none other than vegan ice cream company Wheeler’s Frozen Ice Cream.

Owner of Wheeler’s, Chef Wheeler del Torro, discusses how shipping his goodies to Erykah Badu got him some exposure ... "

Check out the full article here. Thanks Vegetarian Star!

Wheeler del Torro, Wheeler's Frozen Dessert Co. @ Crafty Bastards in D.C.!

Hi everyone! We will be in Washington D.C. area on Saturday, October 3rd, participating in this year's Crafty Bastard Arts and Crafts Fair, sponsored by Washington City Paper.

We will be serving up various flavors of vegan, dairy-free ice cream at the event, as well as signing copies of our newest cookbook, The Vegan Scoop: 150 Recipes for Dairy-Free Desserts that Taste Better Than the "Real" Thing. Event details follow. (We're also interested in volunteers, so if you'd like to help us scoop some vegan ice cream that would be awesome as well! Just email us (icecreamproject2007@yahoo.com) and we'll give you further details!)

Crafty Bastards
Arts & Crafts Fair
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10AM-5PM
Washington D.C., Adams Morgan
web: washingtoncitypaper.com/craftybastards
twitter: twitter.com/craftybastards