"Mostly French" Cookbook Author Event & Book Signing

Join us in the Lab and meet author Makenna Held as she celebrates her new cookbook, "Mostly French"! Makenna will share what it was like to create her beautiful cookbook, and the intricacies of flavors and recipes from Provence. You will come away with a newfound love of French cuisines and flavors!
“MOSTLY FRENCH brilliantly demystifies the cuisine that has intimidated many a home cook, bringing it back to its peasant country roots, giving us a way to cook that is honest and grounded— this is food I want to eat!” - Olivia Tiedmann, chef and creator of Oliviatied

“Makenna Held is the Elizabeth Gilbert of cooking, and her book is for anyone who has fantasized about picking up and starting over to follow a dream. It’s also for people who want to bring the romance of southern France into their lives, as Makenna takes us to centuries-old charming markets and olive groves and shows us how to produce some of the most gloriously simple and gloriously iconic foods (galettes! tarte tatin, pistous!) in our own kitchens. I couldn't be more inspired.” - Jenny Rosenstrach, NY Times bestselling author of Dinner: A Love Story and The Weekday Vegetarians

“I love this book! Mostly French was conceived and cooked in Julia Child’s magical and simple kitchen in Provence, and her spirit grabs you on each page. Makenna Held puts her heart in the sumptuous and straightforward recipes modeled on French classics, and I’m certain I’ll be cooking my way through this book for many years to come.” - Daniel Leader, Founder, Bread Alone bakery

In a bold and adventurous move, Makenna Held bought Julia Child’s summer home in Provence sight-unseen in 2016. Some of the most iconic culinary figures of the time visited Child’s quiet retreat, named ‘La Pitchoune’ (meaning “little one”): MFK Fisher, Richard Olney, Judith Jones, and James Beard. Today, Makenna operates a cooking school on the premises, and was recently the host of La Pitchoune: Cooking in France on the Magnolia Network (streaming on Max/Hulu).

MOSTLY FRENCH is a stunningly beautiful cookbook developed and photographed at La Pitchoune, Julia Child’s home in Provence. Inspired by the olive trees and hills of lavender, thyme, and wild asparagus, author and cooking instructor Makenna Held shares 150 recipes that pay homage to the serenity of Southern France. Through dishes such as Roasted Chicken with Lemon and Sumac, Caprese with Peaches and Strawberries, and Lavender Salted Caramels, among dozens of others that lean into France and ease, she channels the best of French cooking: simple ingredients, technique, and balanced flavors.

In MOSTLY FRENCH Makenna lives with the spirit of Julia Child and honors her legacy, while forging her own path as a cook and teacher. In the narrative woven throughout the introductory material and recipe headnotes, Makenna writes as much about developing as a person as she does about developing delicious recipes. Makenna’s story of finding herself in the slower pace of the French countryside is weaved together with classic French staples—Roasted Tomato “Jam,” Dream Vinaigrette, and sauces like an easy Hollandaise—are put to use next to meal-sized salads, roasts, and omelettes that make a meal. With tips and tricks, and an extensive section on cheese and charcuterie boards for the golden hour of L’Apero, this cookbook will delight anyone with its modern approach to everyday French cooking. Makenna and MOSTLY FRENCH implore you to kick off your shoes, don some house slippers and apron, and celebrate cooking and community.

Makenna Held bought La Pitchoune, Julia Child’s summer home in Provence sight-unseen in 2016, when she came across a listing for it in The New York Times. Today, she operates the home as the Courageous Cooking School. She was the host of La Pitchoune: Cooking in France on the Magnolia Network, a seven-part show that featured Makenna and her fellow teachers as they welcomed guests to La Peetch for a week-long cooking class. A graduate of Smith College, she and Julia share an alma mater, and Makenna has appeared in Vogue, Eater, Condé Nast Traveler, Boston Magazine, among other media outlets.

JOIN US!
Free refreshments & decaf coffee will be served.

Date/Time: Friday, April 25th 7-8:30pm

Cost: FREE

Location: The Lab at Curio Spice, 2267 Mass Ave (enter through the shop @ 2265 Mass Ave)

Age: Open to all ages!

Questions? Email us at [email protected]

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The Sensory Storytellers series at Curio's Lab features cookbook writers, artists, chefs and literary leaders in our intimate lab space. Attendees can expect a personalized event (only 25 guests!), including spiced refreshments.
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Host or Publisher Curio Spice Co