Sohla El-Waylly – Start Here

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Embark on a culinary journey led by renowned chef and food personality, Sohla El-Waylly. With experience working in prestigious New York fine-dining establishments to co-hosting The Big Brunch alongside Schitt’s Creek‘s Dan Levy, Sohla has earned her status as a food icon. Now, as a bestselling cookbook author, she presents Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook, an information-packed, transformative guide to becoming a better cook and conquering the kitchen. Packed with practical advice and scientific background, and over 200 delectable recipes, along with tips, guidance, and how-tos, Start Here is culinary school—without the student loans. 

Soleil Ho, Critic-at-large at San Francisco Chronicle, joins Sohla on stage for this lively conversation. 

Stick around for a book signing with Sohla following the program!  

Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, writer, video producer, and community advocate who has been featured in The New York Times and Bon Appétit and on Food52 and Serious Eats. Her on-camera credits include starring in HBO Max’s The Big Brunch and The History Channel’s Ancient Recipes with Sohla. She studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park before training at various New York City restaurants such as Del Posto, Atera, and Battersby. A TIME100 Next honoree, she lives in the East Village with her husband, two dogs, and cat. 

Soleil Ho is an opinion columnist and cultural critic, focusing on gender, race, food policy and life in San Francisco. They were previously The Chronicle’s Restaurant Critic, spearheading Bay Area restaurant recommendations through the flagship Top Restaurants series. In 2022, they won a Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award from the James Beard Foundation.  

“The book I wish someone had handed me when I began my own journey as a cook.”—from the Foreword by Samin Nosrat, New York Times bestselling author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat 

“A book to return to again and again and again.” —Yotam Ottolenghi, New York Times bestselling author of Plenty and Ottolenghi Simple 

Ticket price includes copy of  Start Here.

All seating is first come, first served.

Our partner for this event is Omnivore Books 

Questions? Email support@jccsf.org