Book Talk/Demo: Peter Hoffman’s ‘What’s Good?: A Memoir in 14 Ingredients’

Join us in our kitchen as we celebrate a new book by Chef Peter Hoffman.

Note: Ticket includes a signed copy of “What’s Good.”

Peter Hoffman, a pioneer of farm-to-table cooking in New York, blends memoir with an insightful exploration of ingredients he uses—along with a handful of must-have recipes—in his highly anticipated first book, “What’s Good?: A Memoir in Fourteen Ingredients.” Hoffman, founder of iconic restaurants Savoy and Back Forty, unpacks his journey from line cook to chef/owner during the New York food scene’s fundamental shift away from French dominance to a more global and farm-to-table approach. Hoffman tells this story though a series of charming tales of a life in kitchens—detailing everything from how his commitment to using whole animals in the restaurant led to him putting a spirit-killing burger on the menu, to the importance of his relationship with his refrigerator repairman.

Mixed in with Hoffman’s personal stories are deeply curious explorations into the cultural, historical, and botanical backstories of the foods we eat (e.g., butter, leeks and potatoes, maple syrup, garlic, kale and radicchio, among others). Following the order of the seasons, Hoffman dives deeply into the natural world explaining why, for example, peppers are the greatest example of biodemocracy (abundant and adaptable to different climates) or why Canestrinos are the very best cooking tomato. Hoffman meets with farmers and greenmarket vendors and unpacks what we eat, why we eat it, and how to make it delicious.

Highlight recipes in this book include:

• Pork Shoulder with Pimenton Rub

• Rabe with Garlic, Chiles, and Parmesan

• Shrimp Oil Vinaigrette

• Romesco Sauce

• The Red and Black cocktail

• Susan’s Peach-Raspberry Pie

This special event is limited to 24 people. Wine will be served.

NOTE: All participants must be vaccinated for Covid 19 in order to attend this live, in-person event.

Please read our Covid 19 protocols below before purchasing your ticket.

ORDER A TICKET BY CLICKING HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chef Peter Hoffman is the curious cook’s cook. As the former chef/owner of Savoy and Back Forty restaurants, he trailblazed farm-to-table cooking in NYC. His opinion pieces have been published in the New York Times, Edible Manhattan, and Food & Wine. Hoffman served on the boards of the Greenmarket and Chefs Collaborative and is a Slow Food NYC Snailblazer award recipient. On most market days he can be found on his bicycle, foraging Union Square Greenmarket for the best in seasonal ingredients and partaking in its “village green” community life.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING OUR COVID19 PROTOCOLS:

This will be a live, in-person event limited to twenty-four attendees. Masks will be optional. Our full staff has been vaccinated. In order to attend, each person must bring proof of vaccination on the day of the event in the form of a NY State Excelsior Pass (printed or on App) OR, a CDC Covid Vaccination Record Card. You will receive emailed reminders about this before the event. Those who arrive without proof of vaccination will not be admitted, and we will be unable to offer a refund. So please, bring your vaccination documents on August 14th!

Cancellation policy: We do not offer refunds on purchased tickets for book events. If you are unable to attend, kindly let us know. You may arrange to send a friend to take your place, or we can save a signed book for you to be picked up at a later time.