Napa Valley is gearing up for a culinary celebration unlike any other. The first-ever Cookbook Fest is slated to take over downtown Napa from June 21 to 23, promising an "eat, laugh and give back" experience with a star-studded lineup. Foodies can anticipate rubbing elbows with some of the brightest stars in the culinary universe, including chefs Tyler Florence, Martin Yan, and Bryant Terry, among others.
According to SF Eater, the new festival is a collaborative effort by the podcast Salt + Spine, the Napa-based Feast It Forward, and Feed Your People, known for their live food events. Brian Hogan Stewart, co-founder of the festival, stated that the celebration aims to honor the whole spectrum of cookbook creation, "not just cookbook authors, but all the people who work to make cookbooks happen, including designers, photographers, and more." Turning the page from traditional culinary events, the main event on Saturday, June 22, will showcase live podcast recordings, keynote conversations, and meals designed to provide an immersive food experience.
For those with a penchant for the sweeter things in life, a “Sweet Shop” featuring delectable bites from authors like Kristina Cho and Jessie Sheehan will be a highlight, not to mention a pizza and salad bar lunch based on recipes from Khushbu Shah’s Amrikan. Devotees of fine cuisine can head to the “Book Village” for author signings, as reported by SF Eater.
Ticket sales are underway with early-bird pricing, starting at $120 for general admission to the main events on Saturday and packages going up to $600 for those seeking a more all-inclusive experience. Feast It Forward touts the festival as a "unique live concert" featuring world-renowned chefs, wine, and premier cocktails.
As noted on Feast It Forward's Facebook page, excited food fans and industry insiders can look forward to a full-sensory adventure at the Cookbook Fest. A roster of confirmed speakers adds to the festival's appeal, featuring names such as Andrea Nguyen, Anna Volyshyna, and Brandon Skier, promising that attendees will certainly be in good company.
