Cookbook Night! Get the inside scoop from Nik Sharma and a Cookbook Editor

Schedule

Wed Oct 21 2026 at 07:00 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-07:00
Location

BookShop West Portal | San Francisco, CA

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We can't wait to welcome America's Test Kitchen Editor Nik Sharma and senior cookbook editor of Chronicle Cookbooks, Sarah Billingsly!
About this Event

Bookshop West Portal is delighted to welcome Nik Sharma, America's Test Kitchen Editor in Residence and author of Veg-Table and The Flavor Equation, to celebrate his new cookbook, The Fundamentals of Flavor. Joining Nik in conversation will be Sarah Billingsly, the Publishing Director of Food & Lifestyle at Chronicle Books! Join us to get the inside scoop about what goes into making a cookbook, from the vision, to the recipes, to the designing and publishing. This is a very special opportunity to get a peek behind the curtain of the publishing industry and to meet two marvelously creative food enthusiasts!

We are so excited to be working alongside Chronicle Cooks! They bring together home cooking enthusiasts and cookbook lovers in one flavorful community. Discover behind-the-scenes author content, be the first to explore upcoming titles, and enjoy curated recipes and samples that spark creativity in the kitchen through the Chronicle Cooks Substack.


This event is FREE! Though we encourage RSVPing for our planning purposes. Seating is first-come, first-served.

If you are interested in buying a copy of the book ahead of time:


About the Cookbook

Acclaimed cookbook author, America's Test Kitchen Editor in Residence, and molecular biologist Nik Sharma brings his deep scientific knowledge, delicious recipes, and stunning photography to home cooks with Fundamentals of Flavor. These 100 recipes deepen your understanding of how fire, earth, air, and water improve your kitchen techniques and the flavor of your meals.

Building on the science-forward thinking and accessibility, Nik Sharma's latest cookbook brings fascinating technical know-how to exciting everyday recipes. In these pages, Sharma explores the four powerful elements of nature and their profound influence on how we cook, delving into such topics and dishes as:

  • Fire: How caramelization deepens the flavor of Caramelized Shallot and Feta-Labneh Dip
  • Earth: How salt's minerality brings crispness to Salt-Baked New Potatoes with Gochujang Vinaigrette
  • Air: Why drying out cookie dough results in perfect Extra Rich Chocolate-Cinnamon Crinkle Cookies
  • Water: Why sous vide is the best way to cook a hearty, tender loaf of Icelandic Rye Bread
  • And much more.

With more than 150 evocative photographs and 20+ infographics that simplify scientific principles for visual learners, this is a beautiful, foundation-building reference book for home cooks who approach their meals with a hunger for knowledge and big flavor.

Accessible Recipes: This book packs big flavor while remaining highly cookable. From the basics like how to make your own Hot Honey, Homemade Set Yogurt, and Cultured Butter to mastering more complex dishes such as Eggplant, Burrata, and Mozzarella Pitadinas; Steak with Porcini-Thyme Sauce; and Cinnamon Churro Ice Cream with Dulce de Leche, these recipes help you achieve spectacular, complex flavors.

Science for the Home Cook: As a former molecular biologist, Sharma wants you to eat delicious food while understanding how you made it happen--so you can make it again! This volume is packed with information on how roasting, baking, boiling, stir-frying, and other cooking techniques help you put delicious meals on the table, plus handy tips for better understanding how to get the most from your kitchen equipment, such as testing your oven temperature to make sure it's accurate.


About the Author:

Nik Sharma is an accomplished chef and cookbook author. Veg-Table won the 2024 Golden Poppy Award and was named a Best Cookbook of the Year by NPR, The Los Angeles Times, Epicurious, Vice, Food Network, Good Housekeeping, and more. His previous books, The Flavor Equation and Season, were also named to multiple Best Cookbook lists, including The New York Times, Eater, Food & Wine, Forbes, Saveur, Bon Appetit, Food52, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, CNN Travel, and many others.


Agenda

🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Buy the book, browse the shelves, snag your seat!
🕑: 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Hear from the author + Q&A
🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Signing Line - Get your copy personalized by the author
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Where is it happening?

BookShop West Portal, 80 West Portal Avenue, San Francisco, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

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