This Saturday, November 4, Boonton’s library and recreational department are teaming up to host the Town’s second book festival, this time designed to appeal to lovers of good food and good writing.
“We were looking at the national book festival scene and knew that we needed a hook to make ours stand out in a crowded field,” says Lotte Newlin, director of the Boonton Holmes Public Library. “So we decided to tap into Boonton’s rich culinary traditions represented in the town’s many outstanding restaurants.”
To that end, the Bookfest will feature stars and authors from all ends of the world of food — cookbook writers and food stylists, restaurant critics, journalists, and visual artists. “Of course, we are also including authors whose specialty is cozy mysteries with recipes,” adds Annie Mizera, library program coordinator. “Mystery Book Club aficionados will love a cozy stroll down Mystery Lane!” Other programmed events include “Culinary Journeys and Adventures,” featuring critically acclaimed cookbook authors, and “Color in the Kitchen,” an interactive arts workshop with local artist Kathy Glatz.
The events will be held in venues along Boonton’s historic Main Street, anchored by the newly restored Boonton Holmes Public Library. Each venue will serve as the setting for author talks, book signing, and panel discussions. The afternoon concludes with a festive communal storytelling evening themed “Love in the Kitchen,” where Boonton residents are invited to share their own memorable personal stories about cooking and food.
“We are delighted that former Top Chef contestant Ash Fulk has agreed to serve as emcee for the storytelling event,” Newlin added. “It will be a great evening for all.”
Funding for the Bookfest is provided by the town of Boonton, the Boonton Holmes Public
Library, and the Morris Arts Council. “We are incredibly grateful to Morris Arts, which has
already committed $4,000 to the endeavor,” says Mayor Richard Corcoran. “This allowed us to attract high-quality participants and ensure critical Bookfest visibility.”
Details and information may be found here: www.boontonlibrary.org/boonton-book-fest-2023.
Featured Speakers
- Kathy Biehl — Author of Eat, Drink and Be Wary, Journalist and Astrologer
- Laura Bradford — Author of Emergency Dessert Squad Mysteries
- CJ Brianik — Podcaster, A Well-Read Tart
- Tracey Ceurvels — Author of The NYC Kitchen Cookbook
- Peggy Ehrhart — Author of the Knit & Nibble Mysteries
- Ashley Fulk — Former Top Chef contestant and farm-to-table chef
- Kathy Glatz — Visual Artist, Color in the Kitchen YouTube channel
- Misha Popp — Author of the Pies before Guys Mysteries
- Deborah Smith — Editor of JerseyBites.com and author of the Jersey Shore Cookbook
- Kate Winslow and Guy Ambrosino — Authors/photographers of Onions Etc.: The Essential Allium Cookbook and Coming Home to Sicily
Bookfest in a Nutshell
Where:
Boonton Main Street, Boonton, NJ
When:
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Bookfest programs and presentations: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Love in the Kitchen” Storytelling Evening: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Admission and other details:
- All afternoon events are free and open to the public.
- Tickets: $20 per person for “Love in the Kitchen” Storytelling Evening (includes refreshments and beverages)
- Not all venues are ADA-compliant due to their historic nature.
Featured Speakers and Presenters
The Sanctuary, 520 Main Street
If a cozy mystery is your thing, then you’ll want to catch all three of these
fabulous mystery writers whose novels offer a delicious thrills and include
scrumptious recipes to feast upon.
Refreshments: Samples from the recipes in the novels, of course!
- 11 a.m. Laura Bradford, author of Emergency Dessert Squad mysteries.
- 12:30 p.m. Peggy Ehrhart, author of Knit and Nibble mysteries
- 2:00 p.m. Misha Popp, author of Pies Before Guys mysteries
Color in the Kitchen
Boonton Holmes Public Library, Makerspace, 621 Main Street
- 11 a.m.
- Local artist, Kathy Glatz, starts the day with a delightful, hands-on painting
- workshop (ages 15 and up) while discussing the benefits of color in your diet.
Cosmic Cuisine: Food, Astrology – and Time Travel
Bear Minimum Refillery, 618 Main Street
- 2:00 p.m.
- Journalist and astrologer, Kathy Biehl, shares her fascinating stories and essays from a long career that includes restaurant critiques, journalism, life coaching and astrology. Kathy is also the author of Eat, Drink, and Be Wary: Cautionary Tales, a charming book that celebrates the joys of connecting over good food and drink.
Culinary Journeys and Adventures
Boonton Holmes Public Library – Adult Reading Lounge, 621 Main Street
photos that just make you want to cook every meal and bake every cake?
Then you’ll definitely want to check out these outstanding cookbook creators!
- 12:30 p.m. Tracey Ceurvels, author of The NYC Kitchen Cookbook and editor of
the New York Kitchen food blog, and Deborah Smith, author of The Jersey
Shore Cookbook and editor of NJBites. - 2:00 p.m. Kate Winslow and Guy Ambrosino, co-creators of Onions, etc.: The
Essential Allium Cookbook and Coming Home to Sicily: Seasonal Harvests and
Cooking from Case Vecchie
Love in the Kitchen: A Community Storytelling Evening
Boonton Holmes Public Library — Third Floor, Entrance via Church Street Staircase. Corner of Church and Main Street
