The Well-Seasoned Librarian: Mixing Cookbooks and Conversation

Bio:  like to say I teach traditional Southern Appalachian heritage skills while living on a homestead in east Tennessee in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. I’ll teach you how to make and do like our Mamaw’s did but with modern conveniences. And all the while I’ll be snuggling chickens, drinking coffee, and listening to music. I’ve been homesteading for over a decade now and would not have it...

Bio: Who is this guy, anyway? It all started in 2018 when my friend, Adam, sent me a PDF of “The Up-To-Date Sandwich Book” of 1909. Within its pages lie 400 recipes for all kinds of sandwiches. And I mean all kinds. We both thought, “this would be kind of fun to make ‘em and share on social media.” And so I did, first on Instagram, then on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. The first attempt on Instag...

Bio: (Welcome to Nice Nice Bite, the first free cookbook lending library in America. Founded by Chef Alicia Shevetone and curated by Nichole Beer, MLIS, EdD, WSET 3, our mission is to make culinary content more accessible to the community. Located in the heart of the Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, our collection of expertly curated, globally inspired cookbooks is available to the pub...

Amy Bruni is a professional paranormal investigator, bestselling author, podcaster, and TV host. In 2007 she began appearing on Ghost Hunters, one of the longest-running and highest-rated paranormal television shows. Now, she’s the co-star and executive producer of The Travel Channel’s Kindred Spirits and host of the true crime podcast Haunted Road. Amy is the owner of Strange Escapes, a company o...

Bio:Louiie Victa is a chef, recipe developer, food photographer and stylist based in Las Vegas.  She specializes in cookbook, commercial and editorial food and beverage photography.   After working in professional kitchens for 20 years, Louiie finally merged her twin passions of the visual and culinary arts. She has done research and development EATER National and for their newly released cookbook...

Bio:"Caitlin Prettyman is the creator and photographer behind the popular food blog Kalefornia Kravings. She loves sharing fun and vibrant recipes that are full of flavor and made with better-for-you ingredients. Being a born and raised San Diegan, Caitlin is mostly known for her easy-to-follow recipes utilizing the fresh local ingredients found on the California coastline.  Her work has been...

Bio:Renato Poliafito began his career as a designer in New York City after graduating from Skidmore College in 1996. Following years of print and online design work, he felt inclined to entertain his love for coffee and desserts. Being a self-taught cook (with a little inspiration from watching his mom in the kitchen), Renato changed career paths and traded his creative director status for that of...

Bio Sarah Morgan isn't your average historian. Sure, she has a Bachelors' in History and years of experience as a museum guide and archivist.  Sarah has a monthly segment on the Calutron Girls at WATE News Channel 6 in Knoxville, TN keeps her connected to local audiences, and her work with the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge delves into the fascinating history of science...

Bio: JULIE'S EATS & TREATS COOKBOOK :  Easy, Family-Friendly Recipes from a Midwestern Mom  (out 5/21/24) by  Julie Evink , creator of the popular food blog  Julie’s Eats & Treats , which reaches millions each month. She’s known for her no-fuss recipes that use pantry staples, yet are bursting with flavor. This cookbook contains her favorite recipes that are easy, family-friendly hits....

Bio: I am a curator and public historian. My work investigates how Americans have used material and visual culture to understand race, ethnicity, and gender, especially in the realm of food and drink. My first book, Insatiable City: Food and Race in New Orleans , was published by the University of Chicago Press in May 2024. As Curator of Mars, Incorporated, I document the history of one of the wor...

Bio: "Hi! I’m Yasmin. Here’s a bit about me. Well, a lot about me. A few years ago, I fell in love with the Spanish island of Menorca and have since upended my life as I’ve sold or donated most of my belongings, save for my cookbooks/books and beloved kitchen items, so I can spend at least half the year in Menorca. You’ll find more updates of this particular life period in my newsletter. Food...

Bio: Beyond being a captivating author, Douglas is a seasoned travel writer who has explored diverse corners of the globe. He's also a husband, a father, and a Los Angeles resident with a fascinating background. He holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of San Francisco and even spent time in Buenos Aires. But that's not all! Douglas has worn many hats throughout his life, wo...

Bio: Roann Byrne, also known as @batchfromscratch_, is a passionate culinary expert from Ireland with a love for storytelling through food. Her journey began at a young age, baking with her grandmother, Polly, and has since evolved into a multi-faceted career encompassing roles as a chef, baker, and academic. With three food-related degrees, including a Masters in Gastronomy and Food Studies, Roan...

A Gastronomic Journey   by Robert Bradley (released fall 2023). Bob Bradley started out as a wine merchant for New York City’s most acclaimed restaurants. A trip to Central America put him on the path to studying Mesoamerican art history and archaeology at Columbia University. He is now an associate professor in the School of Art and Design at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. His meticul...

Elise Thomas is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and the creative force and founder behind one of the fastest growing gourmet cookie franchises, Cookie Co. The company began in her home, but in August 2020, her first storefront opened in her hometown.  Three years later, Cookie Co. continues to expand their business throughout the US while upholding the same values of high quality, delicious flav...

AIR FRYER ALL DAY :  120 Tried-and-True Recipes for Family-Friendly Comfort Food  by Rebecca Abbott and Jennifer West (released fall 2023).  Becky and Jen  are the co-founders of the popular blog  Air Frying Foodie  and the  Easy Air Fryer Recipes  Facebook page, which has over 2.4 million members! Becky (who lives in Phoenix, AZ) and Jen (who lives in Shreveport, LA) became fast long distance fri...

Bio: Kathleen Ashmore is the Chef, Recipe Developer, and Digital Creator behind Kat Can Cook and the website www. KathleenAshmore.com. Before becoming a TikTok food sensation with over 2 Million followers, Kat graduated from the award-winning Institute of Culinary Education in NYC. She then went on to work for Martha Stewart, developing retail recipes and producing cooking segments on the eight-ti...

Ever craved the homegrown goodness your grandma used to serve? Meet Jennifer Gomes, aka Jenny. Mom, wife, teacher, and canning enthusiast extraordinaire, Jenny isn't just passionate about preserving food, it's a way of life. A decade ago, with her first little one on the way, Jenny knew she wanted to share that same delicious, home-canned experience with her family. Now, canning is woven i...

Rowena Scherer grew up in Malaysia and her fondest memories are from when she cooked in the kitchen with her family. Years later, after working on Wall Street and living all over the world, she decided she wanted to create the same lasting memories with her children. She attended the French Culinary Institute, began to source hard-to-find non-perishable ingredients that highlighted her cherished f...

Author Bio: Blanche Vaughan, a culinary luminary who wears many hats – author, food editor, and accomplished chef. Blanche's culinary journey began at the Michelin-starred River Café, where she ignited her passion for simple, fresh ingredients. With her fuss-free approach, she allows the quality of her ingredients to take center stage, much to the delight of her readers at House & Garden,...

Tessa Kiros is international cookbook royalty. She helped define the modern illustrated genre and has sold more than 700,000 copies across multiple titles, languages, and decades. Her previous cookbooks include Apples for Jam, Falling Cloudberries, Provence to Pondicherry, Twelve, Food From Many Greek Kitchens, Limoncello and Linen Water, and Piri Piri Starfish. Tessa’s upbringing and lifelong wan...

Bio:Chef Alicia Shevetone is a culinary whirlwind! She's a pop-up chef, cookbook author, TV personality, and founder of Dink Cuisine, a food and entertainment company that curates culinary experiences across all media. Her first cookbook, Italian Cookbook for Two , is a delightful collection of 24 recipes that will take you from Antipasti to Dolce. With its focus on traditional flavor combinat...

Bio's: Bio:Debrianna Mansini is an actor, writer, and activist who is known for her role as Fran in AMC's Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and playing opposite Oscar winner Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart. Debrianna has worked off-Broadway in New York and has toured on stage throughout the United States in her critically acclaimed show The Meatball Chronicles. Debrianna and her husband, Davi...

Every Cocktail Has a Twist: Master 25 Classic Drinks and Craft More Than 200 Variations Carey Jones is a food and spirits writer who has traveled the world to report on cocktails and spirits. She previously served as the managing editor of Serious Eats, and her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and Saveur, among many others. Every Cocktail Has a Twist is her third cocktail bo...

Bio:Natalie Thomson is a professional food stylist, recipe writer, and private chef based in London and Buckinghamshire. As a stylist and writer, Natalie has worked with many esteemed clients, including the Great British Bake Off and Joe Wicks' cookbooks. Natalie began her culinary career as an on-set caterer for film and television productions. She now works from her home in Buckinghamshire a...