Award-winning author Cynthia Graubart shares "Zucchini Love" at Chef Darin's Kitchen Table
Cynthia Graubart is a James Beard Foundation Award-winning cookbook author and cooking teacher who will be in teaming with Darin Sehnert of Chef’s Darin’s Kitchen Table to talk all things zucchini.
Zucchini is the focus of her latest cookbook, Zucchini Love, part of a trilogy that also includes Blueberry Love and Strawberry Love. Graubart and Sehnert will be demonstrating zucchini recipes during a ticketed cooking demonstration, from noon to 1p.m., May 26, at Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table, 2514 Abercorn Street, Suite 140. The event is co-sponsored by The Book Lady Bookstore, and tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. The $40 ticket includes the one-hour cooking demonstration as well as a signed cookbook featuring 43 zucchini recipes. The Book Lady staff will also be on hand selling several of Graubart’s other cookbooks.
From television to the page
Graubart started her career as a producer, director and editor of a variety of culinary television series and on-location packages. However, she stepped away from producing culinary television after the birth of her child.
“I felt so alone and struggled with getting my life together,” she said. “I said someday I’d write a book called The One-armed Cook, and I did! That was the beginning of my journey in food writing.”
In addition to cookbooks, Graubart’s work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Better Homes & Gardens and Southern Living, among many other publications. Zucchini Love is her fourteenth book.
Golden Anniversary: 50 years of pralines, fudge and the sweet legacy of River Street Sweets' Strickland family
Follow the smell: Texas-style BBQ comes in a trailer for this new Savannah food truck
Humble beginnings: The time former President Jimmy Carter donned a 'Hail to the Chef' apron with Paula Deen
“The newest always gets my immediate attention and love, but I’m so glad I wrote Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking with Nathalie Dupree, which won a James Beard Award,” she explained when asked to name the favorites of her books. “My chicken book (Chicken: A Savor the South Cookbook) was great fun to write, and I love hearing from people all the time about how many of my chicken recipes have made it into their regular rotation.”
The latest series came about because of Graubart’s passion for blueberries, the result of a trip to Maine 30 years ago. “Storey Publishers was contemplating a fruit and vegetable series when my agent introduced me to an editor at Storey; our goals collided,” she explained.
As with all her books, Graubart starts with serious research.
“I read voraciously about my subject matter, then I sit and create a grid – on actual paper with a pencil! I decide how I want to divide the book, creating chapters. Next I decide on categories of dishes, for example, how many soups, salads, desserts, and the like. Next I slot in the recipe ideas I already have then I look to fill the holes to balance the flavors and dishes throughout the book.”
She was surprised by zucchini.
“I really had no idea how versatile zucchini is,” said Graubart. “I was delighted to develop sweet treats with zucchini – Lemon Zucchini Donuts, Nutty Zucchini Cookies and Even Cream Zucchini Pie with Pecan Cracker Crust.”
The benefits of homecooking and family dinners
Whether it’s chicken or zucchini, the real purpose of Graubart’s writing is to get people in the kitchen and around the dining table.
“In all of my cookbooks, I create recipes for home cooks using real ingredients, found at regular grocery stores, that don’t take an exorbitant amount of time, special skills or equipment. I want people to make delicious food in a reasonable amount of time so they can have time to gather at the table together.
“Truly, I believe that gathering around the table together over a meal is social glue. It binds us together. It brings us closer together as families, neighbors, and friends. Children learn conversation – how to take turns speaking, good listening, sharing feelings and expressing empathy. Table manners are a bonus! There are numerous research studies about family mealtime – no matter the shape and size of the family – that espouse the benefits such as better nutrition, better test scores, lower rates of using drugs, and more.”
Asked about her family life, Graubart exudes love and appreciation: “I’m married to the most wonderful husband, Cliff Graubart, who is a rare book dealer and we live in Atlanta and spend the summers in Maine. He’s naturally skinny so I tease him about being a terrible advertisement for my cooking. My grown son and daughter are both fabulous cooks. My daughter is marrying in October in Italy (just like her parents did) and our son is married and they just made me a grandmother for the first time. Her name is Georgia. I hold her in my arms and dream of the day we’ll start making biscuits together. I simply cannot wait!”
If You Go >>
James Beard Award-winner Cynthia Graubart Demo @ Chef Darin's Kitchen Table
When: Noon – 1 p.m., May 26
Where: Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table, 2514 Abercorn Street #Suite 140
Tickets: Evenbrite, $40
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Cookbook author Cynthia Graubart shares "Zucchini Love" with Chef Darin
