Bookseller Q&A: Celia Sack (Omnivore Books)

Celia Sack talks favorite cookbooks and how her cookbook recommendations end up shifting the food scene around her.

This is the next in a series of conversations with some of our favorite cookbook shops across the country by Salt + Spine producer Clea Wurster. Today’s conversation is with Celia Sack, owner of Omnivore Books in San Francisco’s Noe Valley. Celia is a longtime friend of Salt + Spine and her beautiful bookstore has been the site of some live tapings and more! Celia opened the store in 2008 and, since then, the shop (and Celia) have become loved and respected fixtures in the Bay Area’s always exciting food scene.

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Clea Wurster, Salt + Spine producer: Hi, Celia. How did you get started selling cookbooks?

Celia Sack, Omnivore Books: I was a rare book specialist for many years at an auction house, and my collecting interest was books on food. I decided to open a bookstore dedicated to my passion after meeting Don Lindgren, the owner of Rabelais Books in Maine. I thought, if he can succeed with a cookbook store in Portland, Maine, I can do it in San Francisco.

Celia Sack, Omnivore Books