Join Things Cooks Love Author Marie Simmons for Book Signings & Cooking Classes

CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF SUR LA TABLE’S FIRST COOKBOOK “THINGS COOKS LOVE: Implements. Ingredients. Recipes.”

Sur La Table Welcomes Cookbook Author Marie Simmons for National Book Signings and Cooking Classes

SEATTLE, WA (April 10, 2008) – Sur La Table, the premier retailer for creative cooking and artful entertaining, will welcome cookbook author Marie Simmons for book signings and cooking classes at select Sur La Table locations throughout the country. Here is a chance to meet the author of Things Cooks Love, which has received rave reviews from Bon Appetit, the Associated Press and Publisher’s Weekly. The Associated Press said about this book, “Now there's a cookbook to help you put all those must-have items to use. Marie Simmons' latest, "Things Cooks Love," was written with gear-loving foodies in mind.” During the book signing events Simmons will sign copies of Sur La Table’s new cookbook, Things Cooks Love. Customers should contact their local store to make arrangements for the book signing events and the cooking classes.

Sign up for one of our classes with author, Marie Simmons, for a first-hand experience in learning about five international cooking tools, as she makes five of the cookbook’s finest recipes. Along with being a food writer and award-winning cookbook author, Marie is also a popular cooking teacher, ensuring that this class will be educational, entertaining and delicious. This fun and informative cooking class menu features Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp – Clam Pork Sausage and Bacon Stew – Chicken with Preserved Lemon and Moroccan Spices – Chicken Shrimp and Chorizo Paella – Jicama and Carrot Slaw with Fresh Pineapple and Cilantro while exploring beautiful cookware featured in the cookbook Things Cooks Love: Implements. Ingredients. Recipes. Class participants will span the globe with delicious recipes and simple techniques that make the most of the Portuguese cataplana, the French cocotte, the Spanish paella pan and more.

In New York and San Francisco cookbook signings and launch parties for the book will be held at the SoHo and Ferry Building Sur La Table stores. Recipes created by a stellar list of chefs utilizing Staub products and an exclusive wine tasting with wines from the C. Donatiello Winery will be featured. Featured chefs from New York include: Fabio Trabochhi, Fiamma; Andrew Carmellini, A Voce; Michael Psilakis, Anthos, Kefi and Mia Dona. In San Francisco the featured chefs are Roland Passot, La Folie and Left Bank; Gerald Hirigoyen, Piperade and Bocadillos; Traci Des Jardins, Jardinière, Acme Chophouse and Mijita.

The following details are for book signing events and cooking classes for each location:

NEW YORK
• New York, NY • SoHo • 75 Spring Street (corner of Spring and Crosby) • Phone 212.966.3375
Launch Party and Book Signing: Tuesday, April 22, 6:30 – 8:00 PM

ILLINOIS
• Naperville, IL • Main Street Promenade • 55 South Main Street • Phone 630.428.1110
Book Signing: Wednesday, April 23, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Wednesday, April 23, 6:30 PM

CALIFORNIA
• San Francisco, CA • Ferry Building Marketplace • One Ferry Building • Phone 415.262.9970
Launch Party and Book Signing: Friday, April 25, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
• San Francisco, CA • 77 Maiden Lane • Phone 415.732.7900
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Tuesday, May 6, 6:30 PM
• Santa Rosa, CA • Montgomery Village • 2323 Magowan Drive • Phone 707.566.9820
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 PM
• Los Gatos, CA • Old Town Center • 23 University Avenue • Phone 408.395.6946
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Thursday, May 8, 6:30 PM
• Los Angeles, CA • Farmer’s Market • 6333 West Third Street • Phone 323.954.9190
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 PM
• Newport Beach, CA • Corona del Mar Plaza • 832 Avocado Avenue • Phone 949.640.0200
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Wednesday, May 14, 6:30 PM
• Carlsbad, CA • Forum at Carlsbad • 1915 Calle Barcelona • Phone 760.635.1316
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Thursday, May 15, 6:30 PM

WASHINGTON
• Kirkland, WA • 90 Central Way • Phone 425.827.1331
Book Signing: Monday, April 28, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Monday, April 28, 6:30 PM

OREGON
• Portland, OR • Brewery Blocks • 1102 NW Couch Street • Phone 503.295.9679
Book Signing: Wednesday, April 30, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Wednesday, April 30, 6:30 PM

TEXAS
• Dallas, TX • 4527 Travis Street • Phone 214.219.4401
Book Signing: Friday, May 2, 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Friday, May 2, 6:30 PM
• Houston, TX • River Oaks Shopping Center • 1996 West Gray • Phone 713.533.0400
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Saturday, May 3, 10:30 AM

VIRGINIA
• Arlington, VA • Pentagon Row • 1101 South Joyce Street • Phone 703.414.3580
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Wednesday, June 11, 6:30 PM
• Richmond, VA • Stoy Point Fashion Park • 9200 Stony Point Parkway • Phone 804.272.7094
Tools of the Global Kitchen Cooking Class: Thursday, June 12, 6:30 PM
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ABOUT THE COOKBOOK

The consensus among cooks is that the dividing line between having fun in the kitchen and not having fun in the kitchen is whether you have the most suitable tool for the job. Having the right equipment makes cooking easier, and the results often taste better. Unlike any other book on the market, THINGS COOKS LOVE: Implements. Ingredients. Recipes. , the first in a series of titles by trusted culinary authority Sur La Table, champions the kitchenware that cooks of all levels are passionate about. Whether it’s the gorgeous new copper pot you have received as a gift, a rice cooker you have always wanted to try, or your grandmother’s well-aged cast-iron skillet, this book celebrates the deep connection between cooks and the cookware they love.

Recognizing that a beloved cooking collection is the foundation for good food, THINGS COOKS LOVE is more than a reference tool or collection of recipes, it is a cook’s book. It is for everyone who has not only a passion and enthusiasm for all things culinary, but also a sense of adventure. And just as your kitchen equipment can last a lifetime, this book will serve cooks well time-and-again as they continue to expand their recipe repertoire and cookware collection.

ABOUT MARIE SIMMONS

Marie Simmons is an award-winning cookbook author, popular cooking teacher and established food writer. Her work has appeared in dozens of magazines, including Food & Wine, Cooking Light and EatingWell; she’s written a monthly column in Bon Appétit for fifteen years, as well as articles for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and the Contra Costa Times. The author of eighteen cookbooks, including two James Beard award winners and a Julia Child award winner, Marie has taught classes at cooking schools nationwide and lives in the Bay Area.

ABOUT SUR LA TABLE

Sur La Table provides inspiration, tools and techniques for those who wish to enhance their lives through creative cooking and artful entertaining. Sur La Table’s comprehensive selection of products includes tools from around the world to prepare any cuisine as well as beautiful dishes, linens and glasses to create a striking presentation. Sur La Table also broadens knowledge of food and culture through its cooking class program. Sur La Table shops the world for new products providing the unexpected and a sense of discovery, whether you step into one of its stores nationwide, open the pages of its catalog, or visit surlatable.com.

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**Editor’s Note: Complimentary cooking classes are available to media upon request. All class information should be verified with Razonia McClellan razonia@razoniapr.com prior to publication. Sur La Table does not guarantee correct class information without prior verification **