Upper King Charleston: Books

Sie Matic Loves the Glass Onion & So Will You!

Glass Onion Classics (released just today!), is the debut cookbook written by Sarah O'Kelley, co-owner of the Glass Onion restaurant. Authored with the support of her business partner Christ Stewart and their co-founding partner Charles Vincent, Glass Onion Classics shares some of the West Ashley restaurant's staple recipes, as well as profiles of local famers and fisherman that have proved influential in the Glass Onion's success.

To celebrate the arrival of this newley published cookbook, SieMatic Charleston will host an event with O'Kelley, complete with champagne and light hors d'oeuvres provided by the Glass Onion. Heirloom Book Company will provide copies of Glass Onion Classics for you to have signed by the author!

Stop by Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. to sample featured recipes and pick up your copy of Glass Onion Classics.

Sustainable Seafood Book Signing at Blue Bicycle

Barton Seaver has manned the helm of many popular restaurants in Washington, D.C. He has been recognized as a leader in sustainability by the Seafood Choices Alliance, and is currently a Fellow with the National Geographic Society. His work influences large corporations and consumers toward a more responsible sourcing ethic. He currently hosts the television series In Search of Food on the Ovation Network and he will be appearing at Blue Bicycle Books on Tuesday September 20, from 1-3 pm.

Chef Seaver will be signing copies of his beautifully designed cookbook “For Cod and Country," which features simple seafood recipes that call for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Nearly all of the recipes are illustrated with scrumptious color photos. In addition, it’s packed with handy sections on everything from how to select a market fresh fish to which fish are sustainably harvested to where to buy the perfect filet knife and frying pan. The book signing event follows Barton’s lecture at the South Carolina Aquarium which will be held on Monday September 19, from 7-9 pm.

Author of Shrimp, Collards and Grits Pat Branning Set to Appear at Second Sunday

Pat Branning's new book of recipes, stories and art from the Lowcountry would make a lovely gift for the cook in your life. Filled with recipes for traditional favorites such as crab cakes, fried oysters, baked Vidalia onion, buttermilk fried okra and barbecued chicken, "Shrimp, Collards & Grits" will satisfy anyone looking for a down-home primer on "cooking Southern."

But this handsomely bound, coffee-table size book is not the kind to lay open on the counter to splatter with gravy or dog-ear its pages.

Rather, you might want to spend time with it on a porch rocker with a glass of sweet tea or curl up with it on a rainy day when you're wondering what to fix for dinner. And if its exquisite artwork and seductive narratives set you to daydream for a spell, well, who could blame you? Certainly not author Branning, whose charming stories about life in Beaufort and its cooks, farmers, fishermen, kitchens and dining rooms plain and fancy have a slow, easy cadence.

Join her, and others this Second Sunday, to see what delicious dish she will be serving up for your tastebuds!

Chef Charlotte Jenkins to Prepare Delicious Gullah Food at Second Sunday on King

Take a journey with Chef Charlotte Jenkins into her creative kitchen, and also into her life. Charlotte and her husband Frank grew up Gullah at a time when the Old Ways were giving way to the New Ways. They are of the generation that bridged those two worlds. In many ways, they have lived the American dream, rising up from humble origins to build a nationally recognized Gullah restaurant where today they would regard being interviewed by Southern Living, Gourmet Magazine, The New York Times, as all in a days work.

Charlotte learned to cook Gullah the way her mama, her grandmamma and all the mamas that have come before her by working alongside one another. But she also trained at Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute in Charleston where she adapted the traditional recipes to be more healthful. In 1997, she and her husband Frank opened Gullah Cuisine in Mt. Pleasant, SC. They are now widely acknowledged as offering the best of authentic Gullah cooking. Gullah Cuisine: By Land and By Sea does more than bring Charlotte's recipes to you the book is a tale of connection, sharing a world the Gullah built. Join her, and others, on Second Sunday where she will be preparing delicious Gullah dishes for all!

Preservation Society of Charleston | 147 King Street | 843.722.4630

Nathalie Dupree Cooking Up Amazing Biscuits for Second Sunday on King

Layered, fluffy, feathery, silky, soft, and velvety biscuits all come together in Southern Biscuits, a book of recipes and baking secrets for every biscuit imaginable. Southern Biscuits features easy biscuits that are hassle-free and undemanding to make, as well as embellished biscuits laced with silky goat butter, crunchy pecans, or tangy pimento cheese, and everything in between.

The biscuits in this book encompass a number of types, from the beaten biscuits of the Old South and England, to biscuits reminiscent of Sunday Supper, to modern trends and ingredient combinations. Try Angel Biscuits—a yeast biscuit sturdy enough to split and fill but light enough to melt in the mouth; Carolina Biscuits—flaky little bites made with cream cheese; or Chocolate Soldiers—mixed with cocoa powder and sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar.You will find biscuits for every occasion, from hearty breakfasts to delicate party hors d’oeuvres. Filled with beautiful photography, including dozens of how-to photos showing how to mix, stir, fold, roll, and knead, Southern Biscuits is the definitive biscuit baking book.

Nathalie Dupree has written or coauthored many cookbooks, including the James Beard Award–winners Southern Memories and Comfortable Entertaining. Her latest book is Shrimp and Grits. She has hosted more than 300 television shows and specials. Ms. Dupree will be showcasing her wares and cuisine on Second Sunday August 14th and they will be amazing!

Preservation Society of Charleston | 147 King Street | 843.722.4630

REDUX Kids Summer Camp Starting on July 11

Intro to Photography (Only 1 space left): From July 11 - 15 / Mon - Fri, 9am - 12pm under Instructor Margaret Crane; Member $160 / Non-Member $200.

Students will span the ages of photography as they learn multiple camera types, become familiar with the darkroom, and create their own photographs from both digital and film processing. While exploring their own style and interest in subject matter, each student will create their own photographs and artwork centered on the basic fundamentals of photography. No experience necessary! All materials included!

Intro to Bookmaking (Only 6 spaces left): From July 11 - 15 / Mon - Fri, 1pm - 4pm under Instructor Michael Benkoski; Member $160 / Non-Member $200

Students will learn fundamental Book Arts techniques through creating a suite of book structures. The class will focus on pamphlets, codex, accordion, and stab bindings. Students will incorporate elements of collage, printmaking and drawing to add visual interest and decorative elements to their books. Whether you are looking to express yourself in a new medium, want to create handmade gifts for family and friends, or simply love books, this class will provide you with the perfect start. No experience necessary! All materials included!

Preservation Society of Charleston and the Charleston Library Society to host C-SPAN's LCV Cities Tour

C-SPAN will be in Charleston next week to tape segments about the history and literary life of the Holy City for BookTV (C-SPAN2) and American History TV (C-SPAN3).

As a part of this visit, Robert Rosen, author of Confederate Charleston, The Jewish Confederates and The Short History of Charleston, will speak at the Charleston Library Society, with comments and introductions by Evan Thompson, Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Charleston, Anne Cleveland, Executive Director of the Charleston Library Society and Susan Swain, president of C-SPAN.

The talk begins at 5:45 and will conclude with a question and answer session. The event is free and open to the public.

Charleston Library Society | 164 King Street | 843.723.9912

Holly Herrick at Lily Charleston for Spoleto Soleil Book Signing Saturday June 4

Holly Herrick, award-winning cookbook author and food writer will appear at Lily Charleston, 196 King Street for a late afternoon book signing and conversation about food, recipes and her next book. Holly is the author of Southern Farmers Market (2009) and The Charleston Chef's Table Cookbook - Extraordinary Recipes from the Heart of The Old South (2009). Her upcoming book, Tart Love - Sassy, Savory, and Sweet will be released October 1, 2011 and may be pre-ordered at Lily. Lily Charleston is hosting the event as part of a new series by peninsula galleries and shops to entertain and engage Spoleto patrons in late afternoon, Spoleto Soleil.

Lily Charleston, Purveyor of Life's Little Luxuries, is located at 196 King Street. Parking is available at the Queen Street Garage, Majestic Square or the surface lot on Market Street between King and Meeting.

When You Need To Write It Down...

I don't know if many people are like me, but the more I talk about it, the more I think there are lots of us. We're the "put it down on paper" set. Maybe it's the hand to eye to brain thing, because once I've written something down I remember it so much more easily. This is why I always like having fun journals or notepads on hand. And these colorful examples by Carrot and Stick Press work just perfectly - for all of us "writers". These journals are awesome!

Better head over to Lesesne at 539 King Street and write it down before it's too late!

Annual Cooper River Bridge Run Show at Blue Bicycle Books

Come by Blue Bicycle Books this Thursday, March 31st at 8 pm here for the annual Cooper River Bridge Run Show. Every year since 1999, store owner and local writer Jonathan Sanchez has given a reading two nights before the race. Past stories have been compiled into his pretty-good collection, Bandit. Wine, power bars, and encouraging handshakes start at 7:30. The reading starts around 8 and will go about 20 minutes.