Bread Fest offers slice of various cultures' cuisines

Where can you find "celebration" bread, wine and beer, an acoustic guitar signed by John Mellencamp and four tickets to Disney World? The answer: Bread Fest.\nFrom 5:30 to 8 p.m. today, those interested can go to the Monroe County History Center, 202 E. Sixth St., and sample bread from amateur and professional bakers. The Monroe County History Center is located at 202 E. Sixth St., one block west of the Monroe County Public Library.\nBread Fest will benefit the Community Justice and Mediation Center, which offers a variety of programs to help IU students and local residents resolve their conflicts, said Executive Director Amy Dowell. \n"We provide mediation for anything from roommate conflicts to nonviolent criminals referred to us through the justice system," Dowell said.\nThree Monroe County circuit court judges and three food expert judges -- Bloomington Cooking School teacher Elisabeth Simeri, The City Bakery owner and operator Rob Himmel and Herald-Times food columnist Cindy Bradley -- will choose an amateur and professional winner for each of the three categories in the bread-baking contest. The three categories are "quick," which doesn't include yeast; "yeast;" and celebration, which will include bread from different cultural traditions such as Irish soda bread, focaccia bread and patir wedding bread from Uzbekistan. \nGuests will receive five tokens, which they will place into cups near the bread or breads they like most to choose an overall winner, Dowell said..\nThere will be a cash bar with wine and beer from local producers and a silent auction during Bread Fest. Some of the items being auctioned include four park-hopper tickets to Disney World, which provide admittance to any of the four Disney-related parks in Orlando, Fla., Dowell said. Other items include a John Mellencamp autographed acoustic guitar and autographed Indianapolis Colts memorabilia. There will also be some smaller items such as jewelry, gift baskets and different pieces of art. The minimum bid will usually be set under the maximum value of the item.\n"The four Disney tickets are worth $400, and bidding will start at $200," Dowell said.\nAdmission to Bread Fest is $10. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the Community Justice and Mediation Center office at 120 W. Seventh St., suite 310, or at the door on the day of the event, according to a press release for the event. \nFor more information about Bread Fest, contact Dowell by phone at 336-8677 or by e-mail at cjam@bloomington.in.us.