Cooking up community conversations

Yohann Le Bescond, executive pastry chef at the World Equestrian Center. [Photo courtesy Marion County Public Library System]

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Posted September 16, 2024 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

If you are someone who loves tasty food, live music, a good book and stimulating conversation, then the Marion County Library System has a program you can sink your teeth into.

The “Cooks & Books & Jazz Beats” program will pair Yohann Le Bescond, the executive pastry chef at the World Equestrian Center, with jazz trombonist David Smith and authors Avalyn Hunter, Connie Mann and Asa Drake. Music by Smith will begin at 2:45 p.m. for each event, followed by the program at 3 p.m. The schedule is:

• Sept. 20, “Dream Derby” author Avalyn Hunter, Dunnellon Public Library, 20351 Robinson Road, Dunnellon
• Sept. 27, “The Crown Conspiracy” author Connie Mann, Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE Highway 484, Belleview
• Oct. 4, “One Way to Listen” author and poet Asa Drake, Headquarters-Ocala Public Library, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala

“Cooks & Books” launched in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. In-person programming within the public library system was challenging and the library team ventured into more virtual programs to better connect with the public. The program format for the first year included virtual interviews and pre-recorded videos featuring both chef and author, in addition to food and book recommendations by library staff, stated Library Community Liaison Karen Jensen.

For the upcoming sessions, which will be held in person, each program will include an interview by the library host with an author and Le Bescond, a cooking demonstration, discussions between the author and the chef, free tastings and recipe cards, prizes/giveaways, book signings by the authors and question and answer time with the audience.

“Each program features an author and a specific book, which is not a cookbook or a book focused on food. The novelty of this book selection element, in the context of being paired with a cooking demonstration, results in lively discussions between author, chef, host and audience. The program remarkably connects cooking experiences, literary elements and shared cultural touchstones. In preparation for the program, each chef reads the featured books and is challenged to prepare creations that relate to elements of the book. This act of creating culinary offerings inspired by literary works leads to interesting dynamics and unforgettable interactions,” Jensen explained.

To learn more, the “Gazette” did a Q&A with Jensen.

How are the chefs and authors chosen?

We look for local chefs and authors who are part of the Marion County community and who will offer a unique sampling of their expertise as writers and culinary experts. Over the course of the past three years, “Cooks & Books” programs have included chefs from The Fiery Chef, Marion Technical College, Little Bickel Restaurant and the Ocala World Equestrian Center. Local authors include John Cech, Mary Flynn, Connie Mann, Avalyn Hunter and Asa Drake.

Can you reveal the “menu” for each session?

Chef Yohann has provided a recipe for a power protein bar that will be available to all who attend, as well as to the public at all nine public library locations. He will be providing a special “surprise” menu at each location, to include tasty samplings for attendees.

How many people can a session accommodate?

Dunnellon, Belleview and Headquarters-Ocala Public Libraries can accommodate 100 in the meeting rooms where the programs will be held.

Is there a fee to attend?

All Marion County Public Library System programs are free to the public and supported by funding from our Friends of the Library groups.

Who else contributes financially?

The Friends of the Ocala Public Library have funded the costs of technology and equipment for the “Cooks & Books” programs, to include cameras, backdrops and microphones. The Marion County Hospital District provides print, promotional recipe cards that are part of each “Cooks & Books” series and available to the public, as well as giveaway prizes at each of the programs.

Heather Webb and David Freudenburg noted in the Spring issue of the library system publication “Words,” that “from the beginning, the partnership with the Marion County Hospital District was essential to the founding of this tasty food and book celebration. Their mission to improve the health and wellness of the citizens of Marion County made them a perfect partner with ‘Cooks & Books.’ At each program, they share expertise on healthy food choices and other free services they provide, such as partnering with the library on programs like ‘Mindful Eating’, ‘Spice Things Up,’ ‘Living Healthy with Diabetes’ and ‘Eat Healthy, Be Active.’”

What are some comments from the chef and authors?

“I am very excited to partner with the Marion County Public Library System for their 2024 ‘Cooks and Books’ series. As a chef, I tend to gravitate toward recipe books, which I have collected since a very young age. Given this opportunity, it is allowing me to get out of my comfort zone for a little bit and collaborate with talented authors of different genres. Since I moved to Marion County in 2020, the support from the community has been nothing short of amazing, and I am very grateful to keep on developing this relationship,” offered Le Bescond.

“My ‘Cooks & Books’ experience was not only delightful, it also allowed me a measure of exposure I hadn’t previously enjoyed—a live and Zoom/virtual audience in a studio setting for a clever, original concept,” Flynn said of her 2023 experience.

“The thing I love about ‘Cooks and Books,’ and I say this both as a writer and as a former librarian, is how this program creates a space where authors can be in conversation with our community. So much of writing is being part of a community. It’s sharing meals with friends, mentoring students and taking part in dialogs happening on large and small scales. ‘Cooks and Books’ opens these conversations to residents of all ages. And because ‘Cooks and Books’ so often features local authors, I hope that patrons with a story to tell might consider how they, too, might be a writer,” shared Drake.

“I’m so excited to be part of the upcoming ‘Cooks & Books & Jazz Beats’ at Belleview Public Library. I was honored to be part of the first ‘Cooks & Books’ event and am thrilled to see it grow and expand and now include jazz as well, which is the music I listen to while I write. I can’t wait to sample the desserts and talk music and books. I hope you’ll join us for one or all of the events,” enthused Mann.

Jensen noted that feedback from participants and audiences has been “overwhelmingly positive.”

“We asked attendees at our June 7, 2024 “Cooks & Books & Caribbean Rhythms” series for their input on the program provided by Chef Nigel Simms, author Ruby Boddie and musician Sean Thomas. Here are a few comments:

• This was the best one yet! Great food, great conversation. Love this library!
• Wonderful program. David (library staff program host) engaged everyone through questions, the food was delicious and some I have never had. Enjoyed the author.
• It was an amazing event. Everything was in sync with pretty prose and food. The Chef, author and musician added a spicy flair. Do more of these, please.
• Delightful combo of words, food and music!

For more information about the “Cooks & Books & Jazz Beats” series, and other Marion County Library System programs, go to library.marionfl.org