Our big announcement... Cookbook Fest!
Your favorite cookbook authors + your favorite food podcasts + more -- this June in Napa Valley!
Hi there,
Just a few moments ago, we announced the next major SALT + SPINE event, which we’re calling: Cookbook Fest! This three-day festival, coming to downtown Napa this June 21-23, has been years in the making and we’re so thrilled to invite you to join us!
You can read more from Eater San Francisco, who wrote about the festival this morning, check out the festival website, and follow us on Instagram.
What is Cookbook Fest?
Cookbook Fest is a groundbreaking festival that merges the worlds of literature and gastronomy—bringing together renowned cookbook authors, celebrated podcasts, and enthusiastic food lovers. Part book festival, part food & wine festival, part music festival, Cookbook Fest is unlike anything you've seen before.
Detailed programming information will be announced soon and will include:
Live main-stage recordings of top food podcasts, including The Sporkful, Everything Cookbooks, Loading Dock Talks, Copper & Heat, and SALT + SPINE, and a special event with “Last Meals” host, Mythical Chef Josh Scherer!
Keynotes and sessions with industry thought-leaders like Bryant Terry, Martin Yan, and Tyler Florence!
Cookbook-inspired culinary offerings, from wood-fired pizzas to of-the-moment salads to globally-inspired paellas to treats from our Sweet Shop!
Unique culinary demos that bring authors together around ingredients (broadcast live on Feast.Network)!
Author book signings at our Book Village, in partnership with Omnivore Books!
An industry salon to dive deep—and an author celebration party!
Live music, including guest DJ-ing from some cookbook authors!
Opening and closing parties to celebrate cookbook authors in delicious ways!
And more? Yes, more!
Situated in the heart of Napa Wine Country at the whimsical Feast It Forward, Cookbook Fest is the premiere festival where every recipe, every story, and every ingredient takes center stage. We can't wait to #TalkCookbooks with you!
So, who’s coming?
We’ll be announcing some additional speakers in the coming weeks, but be sure to grab your early-bird tickets to see:
Andrea Nguyen, the culinary bridge builder and leading authority on Asian cuisines whose latest cookbook is Ever-Green Vietnamese.
Anna Voloshyna, the food photographer and stylist who captured the cookbook world with her debut book, BUDMO! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen.
Brandon Skier, a former restaurant chef who catapulted to Internet fame as Sad Papi and who’s first book is Make It Fancy: Cooking at Home with Sad Papi.
Bricia Lopez, the chef and co-owner of Guelaguetza Restaurant (a James Beard American Classic) and author of two cookbooks, OAXACA Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico and Asasa.
Bryant Terry, the multidisciplinary artist who has published six highly acclaimed cookbooks, including his latest Black Food, and founded 4 Color Books, an imprint of Ten Speed Press and Penguin Random House that publishes non-fiction work by visionary chefs, writers, artists, activists, and innovators of color.
Cara Mangini, the chef and founder who’s “made it her mission to put vegetables at the center of the American plate,” starting with her highly praised debut cookbook The Vegetable Butcher and her latest, The Vegetable Eater, out this year.
Chris Cosentino, the chef and philanthropist who’s helped raise awareness of whole-animal cooking and sustainability, including through his 2017 “seminal cookbook on offal,” Offal Good: Cooking from the Heart with Guts.”
Dan Pashman, the two-time James Beard and Webby Award-winning creator and host of beloved podcast The Sporkful; after inventing a new pasta shape (cascatelli), he published his first cookbook, Anything's Pastable: 81 Inventive Pasta Recipes For Saucy People.
Deuki Hong, the chef-owner of The Sunday Family Hospitality Group and author of two cookbooks including his newest, Koreaworld: A Cookbook.
Edy Massih, the chef/caterer and owner of Edy’s Grocer in Greenpoint, Brooklyn who’s debut cookbook Keep It Zesty is out this year.
Jessie Sheehan, the host of the top baking podcast She’s My Cherry Pie and author of multiple cookbooks, including her next, Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes coming this fall.
Josh Scherer, the acclaimed chef, host of hit show “Last Meals” and hit podcast A Hot Dog is a Sandwich, and cookbook author who’s latest book, The Mythical Cookbook, was published this year.
Kate Leahy, the co-host of the Everything Cookbooks podcast and a seasoned author who’s collaborated on or written more than a dozen cookbooks, including Italian Wine, Wine Style, Lavash, and Burma Superstar.
Khushbu Shah, the food writer and journalist who was the youngest person and first person of color to serve as Food & Wine’s restaurant editor; her debut cookbook, Amrikan, was published this year.
Kristin Donnelly, the journalist and co-host of the Everything Cookbooks podcast and frequent cookbook author and collaborator: she authored Modern Potluck, and co-authored The Chef’s Garden, Rice is Life, and a forthcoming book with chef Sean Sherman.
Martin Yan, the storied chef who has hosted more than 3,500 episodes of culinary and travel programs—including his award-winning public television series, Yan Can Cook—and authored more than 32 cookbooks. In 2022, he received the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nik Sharma, the author and photographer (and former molecular biologist) who’s award-winning cookbooks include Season and Veg-table, which explores the science of vegetable cooking.
Preeti Mistry, the celebrated chef and author (The Juhu Beach Club Cookbook) who created and hosts the podcast Loading Dock Talks.
Sarah Johnson, the pastry chef who trained under Alice Waters and Chez Panisse and who’s debut cookbook, Fruitful, features both sweet and savory recipes inspired by her network of fruit growers and farmers.
Toriano Gordon, the restauranteur behind Oakland’s Vegan Mob who “experienced a huge shift in his health and well-being after adopting a plant-based diet” and published his first cookbook, Vegan Mob, this year.
Tu David Phu, the renowned culinary artist and first-generation Vietnamese-American who’s anticipated first cookbook, The Memory of Taste, which he is writing with James Beard Journalism Award winner Soleil Ho, will be published this year.
Tyler Florence, the Food Network veteran and restauranteur who’s penned 16 cookbooks including his next, American Grill.
Von Diaz, the Emmy Award-winning documentarian and food historian who explores the intersections of food, culture, and identity; her cookbooks include Coconuts & Collards: Recipes and Stories from Puerto Rico to the Deep South and, published this year, Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking.
Tickets & Passes
Cookbook Fest General Admission (Saturday, June 22): For just $120 early-bird, you’ll get full access to the main day of Cookbook Fest, including a Napa Valley breakfast, a pizza-and-salad lunch (inspired by recent cookbooks!), and access to all programming including main-stage podcasts and panels, author signings in our Book Village, our industry salon, and more.
Additional Programming:
Global Fire Opening Party (Friday, June 21): Join celebrated cookbook authors Bricia Lopez, Deuki Hong, Toriano Gordon, Tu David Phu, and Von Diaz, and more as they take to the flames to prepare a feast of global-inspired delights paired with craft beverages and Napa Valley wines.
Paella + Pinot Dinner Party (Saturday, June 22): Immerse yourself in the communal spirit of Spanish cuisine with an evening devoted to the art of paella, inspired by some of our favorite Spanish cookbooks! Includes all food & beverage, including Grab a seat alongside guest chefs for an unforgettable live show from highly acclaimed Rumbache & Cali Dancers.
Live with Tyler! (Sunday, June 23): Join award-winning cookbook author Tyler Florence for an intimate afternoon of live storytelling and culinary demos. We'll kick things off with a live recording of the Salt + Spine podcast, with host Brian Hogan Stewart. Then Tyler takes over the stage for a special edition of Riffs and Recipes on Feast.Network, during which host Katie Hamilton Shaffer and Tyler will showcase a few recipes from his recent cookbooks, alongside live musical entertainment and select beverages.
Masters of Fire Closing Competition (Sunday, June 23): Be part of the barbecue showdown and crown a new Wine Country "Master of Fire" with Tyler Florence! Close out Cookbook Fest weekend with a special Wine Country edition of Tyler Florence's Masters of Fire, his new one-of-a-kind live-fire competition. This closing party will feature all-you-can-eat barbecue from Tyler's Miller & Lux as well as from local pitmasters, who will compete head-to-head to earn the coveted local title of "Master of Fire" and a chance to compete in a national finals. Cast your ballot for your favorite barbecue alongside celebrity judges including Martin Yan.
[BEST VALUE] “The Works” All-Weekend Pass: Don’t miss any of the fun—all weekend long!—at Cookbook Fest 2024 with our all-access pass! Includes access to Global Fire Opening Party, Cookbook Fest, Paella + Pinot Dinner Party, and Masters of Fire, including all food and beverages.
Note that early-bird pricing on tickets ends May 1.
We can’t wait to see you in Napa this June!
Cheers,
Brian, Katie, Leslie, and the Cookbook Fest team
Super cool event, wish I could be there!!!