The Well-Seasoned Librarian: Mixing Cookbooks and Conversation

Author Bio: I cooked my way to better health, and you can too. Hi, I’m Emily Maxson, a trained chef and food lover. In my late 20s, I received a life-changing diagnosis of a digestive disease after severe symptoms and emergency surgery. I spent 18 months following a strict diet plan, eliminating grains, gluten, lactose, refined sugars and processed foods, forcing me to rethink how I cooked. I got...

✨🍽️ Season 16 is HERE! 🍽️✨ Welcome back to the Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast ! I'm your announcer, Xavier , and we're starting off Episode 1 with a flavor-packed conversation! Meet our guest, Rachel Riggs , the culinary mind behind the new book, In Good Health . Rachel, a former food shop owner and writer for publications like Bon Appétit , channeled her personal health journey into de...

Kate Jenkinson: Biography Kate Jenkinson is an Australian actress who has been in constant work since graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2004, where she won the Nigel Rideout Award. Her professional debut was in the play Zastrozzi for Black Swan Theatre Company, for which she was nominated for "Best Newcomer" in 2005. On television, she was a reg...

Author Bio: Heidi Herman was born and raised in Central Illinois, but her passion and a common theme in her writing is her Icelandic heritage. She spent more than thirty years in the telecommunications industry in a variety of roles that gave her a broad understanding of business, which she later applied to entrepreneurship, first in a small restaurant and later in a boutique publishing company. H...

Author Bio: Chef Tara Punzone is an Italian American from New York, who has thrived on a vegan diet for over 30 years. Her passion for healthy southern Italian food has been evolving since her childhood when she made the decision to adopt a vegan lifestyle. It was then Tara began converting all her family’s traditional dishes to vegan versions of the same, without compromise. Pura Vita West Hollyw...

Hello and welcome, library faithful! This is Season 15, Episode 17 of The Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast . Today, host Dean Jones is sitting down with a powerhouse of the food world: Stephanie Loaiza . Stephanie is a mom to five, a USC Master’s candidate, and, along with her sisters, the co-founder of Six Sisters' Stuff —the go-to resource for making family dinner easy and amazing. Stephanie...

Welcome back to The Well Seasoned Librarian ! I’m your host, Dean Jones , and you’re listening to Season 15, Episode 16. For years, we've talked about how food, history, and culture all intersect on the page, and today, we’re diving into a topic that is as delicious as it is deeply personal: the rich, sweeping traditions of Lebanese baking. Our guest today is Maureen Abood , a second-generatio...

We were so grateful to have the incredible Sapna Punjabi on the show today. Her insights into food, wellness, and mindful living are truly inspiring. For our listeners in the Bay Area, don't forget you can meet Sapna in person at a couple of upcoming events: First, on Thursday, September 25th at 6:00 PM , she'll be at the San Ramon Library Live .Then, on Sunday, September 28th at 1:00 PM ,...

elcome back to the Well Seasoned Librarian podcast! This is Season 15, Episode 14, and we have an especially delicious episode for you today. Today we are thrilled to be speaking with a true master of his craft, the one and only Phillip Ashley Rix . Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Phillip is a designer chocolatier who has cultivated an international following for his wildly imaginative and exquis...

Welcome back to the Well Seasoned Librarian podcast! This is Season 15, Episode 13, and we have a very special guest joining us today. We are so honored to be speaking with the internationally renowned and award-winning author, Joanne Harris. Many of you will know her work from her acclaimed novel, Chocolat , which was adapted into the beloved film starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche. Joanne...

Welcome to the Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast ! You're tuning into Season 16, Episode 12, and today, host Dean Jones is thrilled to chat with special guest and popular vlogger, Bob Morano . Bob, a 2005 graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, brings over two decades of experience from professional kitchens across both the East and West coasts. Currently, he's not only the Executive...

Welcome to the Well-Seasoned Librarian Podcast Season 16 Episode 11. Today, your host Dean Jones is absolutely thrilled to introduce our distinguished guest, Adriana Trigiani . Adriana has spent a lifetime immersed in stories and now is a captivating, New York Times bestselling author beloved by millions of readers around the world. Her journey has taken her from growing up in the heart of Appalac...

Guest Suzanne Lenzer Book: PECKISH: Suggestions for the Sophisticated Snacker . Welcome to the Well Seasoned Librarian. This is Season 16 Episode 10. Today we're diving into the delicious world of snacking with author Suzanne Lenzer and her brand new book, PECKISH: Suggestions for the Sophisticated Snacker . Forget rigid mealtime rules, Suzanne is here to liberate your palate and celebrate the...

Welcome back to "The Well-Seasoned Librarian Podcast! Season 16 Episode 9.  Today, we're stirring things up a bit as we explore the fascinating intersection of information, community, and… food! I'm thrilled to welcome Amy Nash of the popular blog House of Nash Eats, a self-taught  home cook, baker, cookbook author, and the creative force behind millions of delicious recipes. Amy has...

BBQ Hall of Famer "Meathead" is one of only 26 living members! Author of the NYT bestseller "Meathead: The Science Of Great Barbecue and Grilling," named a top 100 cookbook by Southern Living (alongside Julia Child!). The BBQ Whisperer & Hedonism Evangelist behind @AmazingRibs, the world's most popular BBQ site. This global judge of food & drink and founder of multi...

Bio: Kids Cooking for Life Celebrates Its Dedicated Educators This Teacher Appreciation Day Nonprofit honors instructors and showcases student skills with a youth cooking competition in Sausalito San Rafael, CA — April 21, 2025 — As Teacher Appreciation Day approaches on May 6, Kids Cooking for Life (KCL) proudly celebrates the dedicated educators who make a lasting impact on children's lives—...

informative to... well, let's just say aroma -tic. Welcome to the Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast. This is Season 16, Episode "Number Two" , oh sorry, Meant Number 6 Today, our fearless leader Dean is chatting with the one and only Gordon Kindness, who's beaming in all the way from across the pond in the UK. Now, Gordon isn't just your average food fancier; he's a gastro...

Welcome back to the Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast everyone! We've reached Season 16, Episode 5, and I'm absolutely thrilled to introduce you to a guest who truly understands the magic of books, both on the page and out in the world. Tonight, host Dean Jones is diving deep into the art of book marketing with the brilliant Stephanie Moon!  From those clandestine childhood reading sessions...

Welcome to the Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast. This is  Season 16 Episode 4. Today Host Dean Jones will be talking with Bebe Black Carminito who’s book The Curated Board: Inspired Platters & Spreads for Any Occasion came out last fall.   Carminito who is a food stylist, recipe developer, content creator, and professional makeup artist. She co-runs and oversees three global cookbook clubs. Her...

Welcome back to the Well Seasoned Librarian! This is Season Sixteen, Episode Three. Join your host, the ever-curious Dean Jones, as he delves into fascinating stories and insightful conversations. Today, Dean sits down with Angelo Carotenuto, the visionary founder and co-owner of LivTours – formerly known as LivItaly Tours. From his early days leading tours through the ancient streets of Rome in 2...

Welcome to the Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast. This is Season 16 Episode 2. Today host Dean Jones is talking to author, food writer Ellen Kanner.  Kanner is the author of the award-winning book Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith and What to Eat for Dinner. She writes about the intersection of food, culture, community, wellness, and sustainability for outlets including HuffPo, VegNews, and Edib...

Welcome back, dear listeners, to another delectable season of Well Seasoned Librarian! Can you believe it? Season 16 Episode 1! And to kick things off, Dean has a truly sweet treat for us today. Get ready to have your taste buds tantalized because Dean is sitting down with the incredibly talented Dan Abel. Now, Dan isn't just anyone; he's the heart and soul behind the absolutely divine Bis...

Well Seasoned Librarian Season 15 Episode 20. Today our host Dean Jones will be talking with Author, Blogger Jessica Merchant. We will be talking with Merchant about her book Easy Everyday and her Blog “Sweet Eats100 Recipes and Meal Prep Ideas for Effortless Eats; A Cookbook. Merchant is a full-time recipe developer and writer who happens to be crazy passionate about all things food. She is the a...

Welcome to the Well Seasoned Librarian with our Host Dean Jones. This is Season 15 Episode 19.  Today, we're thrilled to bring you a conversation with a true maestra of Italian cuisine, Food Writer, Restauntauer Cathy Whims! From studying under the legendary Marcella Hazan in Venice to earning six consecutive James Beard nominations for Best Chef Northwest, Chef Whims has carved a remarkable path....

Welcome back to The Well Seasoned Librarian! , and we are thrilled to be diving into another culinary adventure with you. This is Season 15, Episode 18, and today we're turning the page on a truly special cookbook from the renowned America's Test Kitchen. Their latest offering, " Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes ", published in 2025 and brought to us...