Foodie Picture Book Launch Party!

10 Canal Street,Westerly RI 02891

19 September, 2021

Description

Featuring Debbi Michiko Florence & Jamie Michalak (Niki Nakayama) and Winsome Bingham (Soul Food Sunday) Savoy Bookshop & Café presents a food-themed picturebook author talk and Q&A with three children's book authors, Debbi Florence, Jamie Michalak, and Winsome Bingham! Debbi and Jamie will discuss their book Niki Nakayama; A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites and Winsome will discuss her new book, Soul Food Sunday. Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites is a picture book biography that tells the story of the powerhouse female Japanese-American chef and her rise to fame As a child and adult, Niki faced many naysayers in her pursuit of haute cuisine. Using the structure of a traditional kaiseki meal, the authors Debbi Michiko Florence and Jamie Michalak playfully detail Niki's hunger for success in thirteen "bites" ― from wonton wrappers she used to make pizza as a kid to yuzu-tomatillo sauce in her own upscale Los Angeles Michelin-starred restaurant, n/naka. To anyone who tells her a woman can't be a master chef, Niki lets her food do the talking. And oh, does it talk. Niki was featured on the first season of Netflix's culinary documentary series Chef's Table. And Chrissy Teigen proclaimed that Niki's restaurant was one of her absolute favorites. She's currently a featured teacher on MasterClass. A smart, strong woman with starpower, Niki is only just getting started ― like the young readers who will devour this book, featuring illustrations by Yuko Jones! About the Authors Debbi Michiko Florence is a third generation Japanese American, and the author of the Jasmine Toguchi series and Keep It Together, Keiko Carter (Scholastic). Debbi lives in Connecticut. Jamie Michalak loves how food tells a story and brings people together to create more. She is the author of more than forty children's books, including the highly praised Joe and Sparky early reader series, Frank and Bean, Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter, and more. Jamie lives in Rhode Island. Soul Food Sunday is the story of Granny teaching her grandson to cook the family meal in a loving celebration of food, traditions, and gathering together at the table On Sundays, everyone gathers at Granny’s for Soul Food. But today, I don’t go to the backyard or the great room. I follow Granny instead. “You’re a big boy now,” Granny says. “Time for you to learn.” At Granny’s, Sunday isn’t Sunday without a big family gathering over a lovingly prepared meal. Old enough now, our narrator is finally invited to help cook the dishes for the first time: He joins Granny in grating the cheese, cleaning the greens, and priming the meat for Roscoe Ray’s grill. But just when Granny says they’re finished, her grandson makes his own contribution, sweetening this Sunday gathering—and the many more to come. Evocatively written and vividly illustrated, this mouthwatering story is a warm celebration of tradition and coming together at a table filled with love and delicious food. About the Author Winsome Bingham is a soul food connoisseur, master cook, and a US Army war and disabled veteran. She received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and has more than 15 years of teaching experience. You can find her writing on a deck while waiting patiently with a camera to capture a submarine shooting out of the water. She lives in Groton, Connecticut. About This Event This event will take place in person at Savoy Bookshop & Café. We ask that you wear a mask during this indoor event regardless of your vaccination status. We will be collecting registrations for in-person events through the remainder of 2021, so please be sure to register if you would like to attend! If you have a question about this event, or any other Bank Square and Savoy event, email us at [email protected] By registering for this event (or any Bank Square/Savoy event) you agree to be subscribed for our events newsletter. You can update your subscription preferences at any time. Located in downtown Westerly, Rhode Island, we are a locally owned and independent bookstore with a great selection of books and gifts and a helpful, knowledgeable staff. Our sister store is Bank Square Books in Mystic, CT.