About this Event
Celebrate the launch of The Little Book of Olives, a stylish, fun guide brimming with trivia, expert tips on buying and storing, and easy recipes, for anyone who loves olives.
Author Anna Hezel will be in conversation with cookbook author and Sahadi's co-owner and culinary director Christine Sahadi Whelan, follwed by a reception and book signing.
here!
Can't make it to the event? You can also preorder at the link above to receive a signed copy for store pickup or shipping. Indicate any personalization requests in the "instructions and comments" field during checkout.
About the book
Olives are everywhere. Step into New York’s Big Night, browse the playful designs of Wear Your Snacks, or glance at the cocktail menu of your favorite bar, and you’ll see that this timeless snack has rolled to the very center of today’s food culture. They’ve inspired custom ceramics, luxury glassware, jewelry, even throw pillows. And no wonder: these salty, briny fruits are iconic.
The Little Book of Olives celebrates this moment in olive obsession. Packed with history, agricultural insights, photographs, and illustrated infographics on varietals and preservation methods, it offers practical advice on buying and storing olives, profiles of restaurants, bars, and makers shaping olive culture, and 25 recipes that showcase their versatility.
From Tapenade Toasts and Olive Rosemary Breadsticks to Labneh with Green Olives and Preserved Lemon, and even a Dirty Martini, this stylish guide is designed for today’s olive lover. It's the perfect gift for the olive fan in your life.
Humans have been eating olives for over 100,000 years, yet we keep finding new ways to enjoy them—from Ferran Adrià’s famed “liquid olives” at elBulli to olive oil caviar, freeze-dried olives, and olive-infused spirits available with a few clicks online. For chefs, a simple bowl of marinated olives can be a canvas for seasonal flavors; for home cooks, they’re both a shortcut to elegant entertaining and a springboard for endless creativity.
Whether you’re a martini drinker who always asks for extra olives or a host looking to turn a simple snack into a statement, this book transforms olive appreciation into olive expertise.
About the author
Anna Hezel is a food journalist with published work in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, GQ, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Eater, Food52, Lucky Peach, and more. She is the author of Party Tricks: Easy, Elegant Recipes for Snacking and Hosting, as well as Tin to Table: Fancy, Snacky Recipes for Tin-thusiasts and A-fish-ionados and Lasagna: A Baked Pasta Cookbook. She was an editor at TASTE and Epicurious, and now co-writes the food publication Best Food Blog. Anna lives in Brooklyn, New York.
About Christine Sahadi Whelan
Christine Sahadi Whelan is the culinary director of Sahadi's and a fourth-generation co-owner. Designated a James Beard America’s Classic and New York State Historic Business, the original store is located at 187 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, and is the city's longest continually operating specialty food store. Christine is the author of the award-winning Flavors of the Sun: The Sahadi’s Guide to Understanding, Buying, and Using Middle Eastern Ingredients. A graduate of NYU with a Degree in Finance and International Business, she also trained at the Institute for Culinary Education. Follow her on Instagram @christine_is_cooking.
Event venue & nearby stays
Lofty Pigeon Books, Church Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, USA, United States
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