Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods welcomes endocrinologist Dr. Disha Narang from Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, dietitian Monica Joyce from Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, and chef Catherine O’Meara of Heller Catering to “Culinary Love: Cooking for You and the Planet at The Smith Nature Symposium.”

This virtual cooking program will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 3. It is a special addition to a seven-part, livestreamed series on critical environmental issues, which culminates in the Oct. 9 awards ceremony honoring environmental leaders Bill McKibben and Sue Halpern.

In previous years, Smith Nature Symposium guests would gather in person for the awards ceremony dinner at the Brushwood Center, but this year, registrants can gather around Brushwood’s virtual table and prepare a plant-based dinner from home.

“Food is such an essential part of eating well and feeling well, especially right now,” said Catherine Game, executive director of Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods. “Cooking