I’ve followed the ongoing series “An Evening at Morton’s” since it started off the year with a discussion on the Young Professional Business Climate, so I know that this is an exciting group and they have spun off some great discussions already.

Rather than rehash what has been said previously, I encourage you to read what Richmond.com has to say about the format of the evening and how you can participate. (nudge: go here)

[Okay, I lied. I am going to rehash just a little bit.] The masterminds behind the evening pick a topic, get experts together around a table at Morton’s Steakhouse down in Shockoe Slip, have a moderator facilitate the discussion, live blog & live tweet it, take questions and interactions with folks following along at home, record it, and release follow up posts wrapping up what was learned from the evening.

Thus is born #steakchatrva, or the long version, An Evening at Morton’s.

The topic on the table this month is Richmond’s Food Culture, which is a topic that is very near to my heart (and wallet, considering that most of what I do as a Commercial Realtor and Business Broker has to do with restaurants).  I had heard of the topic and suggested some folks and angles on the topic to make things interesting.  It hadn’t occurred to me that I might be asked to be at the table, so I was honored and excited to get the call.

We have a great panel for tonight’s discussion (taken straight from Richmond.com’s article on the evening):

• Brandon Fox (@bpfox), Richmond Magazine Dining Columnist & RHome Managing Editor
• Andy Howell, Cafe Rustica owner and chef
• Nathan Hughes (@rvabusiness) Bandazian & Holden VP & Sales Manager
• Karri Peifer (@KarriPeifer), Richmond.com food writer & editor
• Randy O’Dell (@Bellytimber), co-owner Bellytimber & Mezzanine
• Heather Sullivan, NBC 12 co-anchor NBC12 News Today & “Restaurant Report“
• Deveron Timberlake, Style Weekly food and drink editor
• Michelle Williams, deLux, Europa, The Hard Shell, Water Grill, The Hill Cafe chef / owner

While there are lots of people that could be included in the discussion, as evidenced by the larger than normal panel this month, there is only but so much space at the table.  It is always important to note that while we are representatives of the community, we are not the end-all to the topic and need the rest of the community to step up and participate.  We don’t want to lose the other voices that are equally important in the discussion.

So here is how you can participate:

• Follow the conversation on Twitter by clicking here to see everything that is tagged with #steakchatrva, and use the hashtag #steakchat to appear in that stream to participate on Twitter.
• Go to Richmond.com here and scroll down for the input form anytime before the event tonight to set a reminder.
• Watch the live blogging here starting at 6:30pm tonight, October 19th, to see the discussion unfold.

What do you think we should be talking about? Have anything you would like to share?  Feel free to leave a comment or two here, if the urge should strike you.  Just keep in mind that I won’t be checking the blog once the discussion is underway, so chime in on the other channels listed above to have your voice heard after 6:30pm tonight!