Philadelphia’s own Laurel Restaurant is known for exquisite presentations of everything from local oysters to imported finger limes. The intimate dining experience of Laurel is now available to home cooks through the recently released Laurel: Modern American Flavors in Philadelphia. Join authors Nicholas Elmi, chef-owner of Laurel, ITV, and Royal Boucherie and Philly-based food and travel writer Adam Erace, along with acclaimed photographer Neal Santos for a moderated discussion by Regan Stephens on French-inspired cuisine, Top Chef competitions, and what collaborative kitchen culture means in today’s food landscape. Tastings will be provided as part of the ticket price; copies of the Laurel cookbook will be available for purchase. This program is presented by the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Culinary Literacy Center.

About the moderator:

Regan Stephens is a freelance writer covering food and travel. With over 15 years of experience in the media, she’s worked at People Magazine, and, most recently, as the managing editor of Philadelphia Magazine. Her work has appeared in print and digital outlets, including Food & Wine, Fortune, Vogue, Lonely Planet, Edible Philly, Food 52, and more.

About the presenters:

Nicholas Elmi is the chef and owner of Laurel, In the Valley and Royal Boucherie in Philadelphia. The former chef of the renowned Le Bec Fin struck out on his own in 2013 with his first restaurant Laurel after winning season 11 of Top Chef. Laurel was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as one of the Best New Restaurants In America that very year and named one of GQ Magazine's ten best restaurants in the country. Since, Laurel has been awarded Four Bells by award-winning critic Craig LaBan and named the Best Restaurant in Philadelphia by Philadelphia Magazine. Chef Elmi followed up with a contemporary cocktail bar right next door to Laurel named In the Valley, the name reflecting the Lenape translation of Passyunk, one of Food and Wine Magazine's “Best Food Streets” in America of which both restaurants reside. In 2017 Chef Elmi, determined to bring casual French Cuisine to the masses, opened Royal Boucherie to Olde City Philadelphia which has since garnered rave reviews including being named Best Charcuterie Program, Best New Bar Program and Best Burger In Philly. In September 2019 Chef Elmi released his first book, featured in this program: a collection of seasonal recipes from Laurel of which he teamed up with award-winning writer Adam Erace and published by Running Press. Chef lives in Collingswood, New Jersey with his wife and two children.

Adam Erace is a food and travel writer who contributes to more than 50 publications, including Men’s Journal, Fortune, Food & Wine, and Travel + Leisure. His writing has been recognized with awards from the International Association of Culinary Professionals and the Association of Food Journalists. In addition to Laurel, he is the co-author of Dinner at the Club: 100 Years of Stories and Recipes from South Philly's Palizzi Social Club with chef Joey Baldino and co-owner of gourmet market Green Aisle Grocery. He lives in South Philly with his wife, Charlotte, and two maniacal rescue dogs, Lupo and Marco.

Neal Santos is an editorial and commercial photographer based right here in Philly, but his clients have international reach. He’s shot for Pepsi Cola, Anheuser-Busch, Warby Parker and Urban Outfitters, and has also photographed the work of many celebrity chefs and restaurants. His work is widely celebrated - in 2017 he was named Zagat’s Foodie of the Year and prior to that, he was one of Instagram’s featured Instagrammers. Now he also adds restaurateur to his resume with the opening of Lalo in the Bourse Marketplace in 2018. Neal is responsible for the stunning photos in the newly released cookbook Laurel: Modern American Flavors in Philadelphia (2019), co-written by Nicholas Elmi and Adam Erace.