James Lane Fest: Cookbook Authors Lunch With Chefs Lidia Bastianich, Claudia Fleming, Palak Patel, & Dennis Prescott

A three-course cookbook authors lunch and book signing featuring renowned chefs Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Claudia Fleming, Dennis Prescott, and Palak Patel was held on Saturday, October 19, at Sound View Greenport as part of James Lane Fest. 

Lidia Bastianich is a television host, best‐selling cookbook author, successful restaurateur, and the owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business. Her most recent book “Lidia’s From Our Family Table to Yours,” which was released in October 2023, is a companion to her new 26-part public television series, “Lidia’s Kitchen.” Lidia is a celebrated chef and restaurateur and a founder of Eataly. Among the numerous awards and accolades she has earned are seven James Beard Awards and two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Culinary Host.

Claudia Fleming is a pastry chef, restaurateur, and author. She has worked in New York restaurants such as Union Square Cafe, Montrachet, TriBeCa Grill, and Gramercy Tavern, and at Fauchon in Paris. Fleming and her husband, chef Gerry Hayden, opened The North Fork Table & Inn in Southold. She is currently the Culinary Director of Daily Provisions for Union Square Hospitality Group. Fleming has been named “Outstanding Pastry Chef” by the James Beard Foundation and is the author of “The Last Course” and “Delectable.”

In 2020, Dennis Prescott’s reach literally and figuratively went global with the hit original Netflix series “Restaurants on the Edge,” in which three food and design experts travel to flailing restaurants around the world to transform and place them on the road to success. Chef Dennis Prescott recently published his second book, “Cook With Confidence. Over 100 Inspiring Recipes To Cook & Eat Together.”

“Food Is Love: Plant-Based Indian-Inspired Recipes to Feel Joy and Connection” is a cookbook by Palak Patel, an acclaimed chef and Food Network champion. Chef Patel is the owner of Dash & Chutney restaurant and two-time winner of Food Network’s famous shows “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.” 

James Lane Post’s editor at large, Bridget LeRoy, introduced the chefs during lunch. Following the lunch, guests had the opportunity to purchase books supplied by Burton’s Books in Greenport and have them signed by the authors.

Menu items included Ira’s biodynamic green salad, a North Fork lobster roll with French fries, and swordfish tacos with cumin cabbage slaw, avocado crema, and salsa verde created by Executive Chef Nathan Hitchcock. Guests enjoyed rosé wine from Ultimate Provence, cocktails from Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, and Buena Vida coffee. Bedside Reading provided gift bags that included a selection of books, and there were also gifts from Buena Vida Coffee, Island Oasis Acupuncture, and Aldo’s Coffee.

Following the lunch and signing, attendees were invited to explore the beauty of Sound View during a guided walk by content creator Kelly Alvarez Siry of @kellys_weekend_plans. The afternoon also included pop-up shops from Unsubscribed and NOFO Style.