Sohla El-Waylly at at First Parish Church

Harvard Book Store welcomes celebrated chef SOHLA EL-WAYLLY-—known for starring in HBO Max’s The Big Brunch and The History Channel’s Ancient Recipes with Sohla—for a discussion of her new cook book Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook. She will be joined in conversation by JOANNE CHANG—James Beard Award-winning pastry chef and co-owner of Flour Bakery.

Ticketing

Please Note: Tickets to this event are sold out.

We will have a stand-by line at First Parish Church. If any seats are still open five minutes before the event begins, we will turn them over to those in the stand-by line on a first-come, first-served basis. Of course we can’t guarantee that those in the stand-by line will get in, but we are often able to let in some (or sometimes all) of those patiently waiting!

There are two ticket options available for this event.

Book-Included Ticket: Includes admission for one and one hardcover copy of Start Here pre-signed by the author.

Admission-Only Ticket: Includes admission for one.

About Start Here

A practical, information-packed, and transformative guide to becoming a better cook and conquering the kitchen, Start Here is a must-have master class in leveling up your cooking.

Across a dozen technique-themed chapters—from “Temperature Management 101” and “Break it Down & Get Saucy” to “Go to Brown Town,” “All About Butter,” and “Getting to Know Dough”—Sohla El-Waylly explains the hows and whys of cooking, introducing the fundamental skills that you need to become a more intuitive, inventive cook.

A one-stop resource, regardless of what you’re hungry for, Start Here gives equal weight to savory and sweet dishes, with more than two hundred mouthwatering recipes, including:

• Crispy-Skinned Salmon with Radishes & Nuoc Cham
• Charred Lemon Risotto
• Chilled Green Tahini Soba
• Lemon, Pecorino & Potato Pizza
• Fruity-Doodle Cookies
• Masa & Buttermilk Tres Leches

Packed with practical advice and scientific background, and an almost endless assortment of recipe variations, along with tips, guidance, and how-tos, Start Here is culinary school—without the student loans.

Praise for Start Here

“The perfect companion to anyone starting out in the kitchen. In sharing so much experience and knowledge—not to mention so many recipes that I want to eat—Sohla has crafted a book to return to again and again and again.” —Yotam Ottolenghi, New York Times bestselling author of Plenty

“Sohla breaks down cooking in a way that’s elemental yet approachable. She is the patient friend, the seasoned guide, the doting mentor you want in the kitchen. This book will not only teach you the principles of good cooking, but also boost your confidence, allowing you to freestyle it in the kitchen like a master. There’s something for everyone in this future classic. Buy this book now!” —Padma Lakshmi

“We typically use the word ‘cookbook’ to describe a series of tasty recipes we re-create in our home kitchens that make us feel awesome. Only we’re never really taught how to cook. Enter: the incredible Sohla El-Waylly, our officially unofficial guide to kitchen bootcamp, equipping us with the skills we need to feel confident in the kitchen—not capable, not able, confident . . . Start Here is nothing short of a game changer.” —Christina Tosi, chef & founder, Milk Bar

Mask Policy

Masks are encouraged but not required for this event.