The Well-Seasoned Librarian: Mixing Cookbooks and Conversation

Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast Season 17 Episode 2

Guest: Emmanuel Laroche

Bio: Award-winning author, born in Versailles, France, close to the famous chateau of King Louis XIV, Emmanuel Laroche grew up savoring the best food and drink that France offers, eventually earning him the American nickname: “Champagne Charlie.” His mother taught him to cook when he was six, starting with a simple yogurt cake, and moving on to Lorraine quiche, from the region his mother grew up. He married a woman who also loved to cook, and during the first four years of their marriage, they never ate the same dish twice!

In 2002 he moved to the United States for his role as VP of Marketing with Symrise North America—a global manufacturer of flavors for the food and beverage industry. He now has more than twenty years of experience in the food and beverage industry, both in Europe and in the US.

Through his job, Emmanuel has access to a variety of acclaimed people in the food industry.

Since 2008, he has attended the yearly StarChefs Congress in New York City. In 2015, Emmanuel developed an exclusive partnership with StarChefs for Symrise and began moderating panel discussions with successful chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists. In 2018, Emmanuel launched a personal podcast called Flavors Unknown, featuring a series of conversations with trending and award-winning chefs, pastry chefs, and mixologists from around the United States. Emmanuel currently resides in New Jersey, which acts as a home base for his travels around the country, conducting tastings, lectures and presentations on food and consumer trends.

Podcast: https://flavorsunknown.com/about-show-host-emmanuel-laroche-podcast-flavors-unknown/

A Taste of Madagascar: Culinary Riches of the Red Island 

Conversations Behind the Kitchen Door: 50 American Chefs Chart Today's Food Culture

Cookbook lovers, this one’s for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library.

Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your Books

Perfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.

Go to the link 

⁠⁠https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED⁠⁠

___________________________________________________________

About the Well Seasoned Librarian (Reviewer)

Hailing from San Diego and spending his teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean Jones has become a seasoned resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. A true foodie and lover of the written word, Dean wears many hats: librarian, Podcaster, cookbook reviewer, and writer.

Catch him at book festivals, farmers’ markets, bookstores, or savoring a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Dean’s passion for food and literature shines through his published works. You can find his reviews in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine” and his insightful articles on platforms like Medium’s “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors What Are You Reading?” Currently, Dean keeps Benicia Times Herald readers informed with his regular cookbook review column.

Connect with Dean:

• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast: ⁠⁠Linktree⁠⁠ (Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube)

YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsibP5oAUIam8sOT-MZdXig

Guest: Carolyn Haeler

Bio: Carolyn is the founder and CEO of Mightylicious Gluten Free. After being diagnosed with Celiac disease, she left her finance career to create cookies she, and now 1.3 million Americans on gluten free diets, could truly love. Her clean label cookies and flours are certified gluten free, kosher, non GMO, and vegan/vegetarian friendly. You’ll find all seven varieties in Walmart and stores nationwide, with Mightylicious winning Best Product from Food & Beverage Magazine two years running. The Coconut Oatmeal cookies were just named one of Good Housekeeping’s Best Snacks of 2025.

Website: https://mightylicious.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightyliciousfoods/

Cookbook lovers, this one’s for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library.

Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your Books

Perfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.

Go to the link 

⁠https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED⁠

___________________________________________________________

About the Well Seasoned Librarian (Reviewer)

Hailing from San Diego and spending his teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean Jones has become a seasoned resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. A true foodie and lover of the written word, Dean wears many hats: librarian, Podcaster, cookbook reviewer, and writer.

Catch him at book festivals, farmers’ markets, bookstores, or savoring a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Dean’s passion for food and literature shines through his published works. You can find his reviews in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine” and his insightful articles on platforms like Medium’s “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors What Are You Reading?” Currently, Dean keeps Benicia Times Herald readers informed with his regular cookbook review column.

Connect with Dean:

• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast: ⁠Linktree⁠ (Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube)

YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsibP5oAUIam8sOT-MZdXig

Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast Season 16 Episode 20

Guest; Abby Cheshire

Cookbook: Passport to Flavor: 100 Global Dishes You Can Make Anywhere (An International Cookbook. Delicious Recipes from Around the World)

Bio: Chef Abby Cheshire is a private yacht chef, culinary arts teacher, and social media influencer. When she’s not teaching her high school students during the school year, Abby spends her summers traveling around the world and cooking global cuisine on a yacht. Her popular social media accounts, @abbyinthegalley, share videos of her unique cooking experience and ability to create fabulous meals in small spaces, on the high seas or anywhere with local and fresh ingredients. Abby has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, and other media, and she has worked with Food Network stars at the Super Bowl. Her social media platforms now have over 2.5 million followers and continue to grow. When she’s not traveling the world by boat, she lives in Central Florida.

Book: Passport to Flavor: 100 Global Dishes You Can Make Anywhere (An International Cookbook. Delicious Recipes from Around the World) https://www.amazon.com/Passport-Flavor-International-Cookbook-Delicious/dp/1400251680

Instagram: abbyinthegalley

Cookbook lovers, this one’s for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library.

Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your Books

Perfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.

Go to the link 

https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED

___________________________________________________________

About the Well Seasoned Librarian (Reviewer)

Hailing from San Diego and spending his teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean Jones has become a seasoned resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. A true foodie and lover of the written word, Dean wears many hats: librarian, Podcaster, cookbook reviewer, and writer.

Catch him at book festivals, farmers’ markets, bookstores, or savoring a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Dean’s passion for food and literature shines through his published works. You can find his reviews in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine” and his insightful articles on platforms like Medium’s “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors What Are You Reading?” Currently, Dean keeps Benicia Times Herald readers informed with his regular cookbook review column.

Connect with Dean:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsibP5oAUIam8sOT-MZdXig

Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast Season 16 Episode 19

Guest: Sam Paone (Golden State Pickle Works /Jarring Everything)

Bio: Sam Paone is a Sonoma-based cook, preservationist, and the founder of Golden State Pickle Works and Collective Cultures. She’s best known for her deeply seasonal approach to fermentation, pickling, and pantry-building—work that sits at the intersection of tradition, practicality, and everyday cooking.
Sam is the creator and host of Jarring Everything, a food series that explores approachable ways to think about ingredients differently. Filmed in her Sonoma production kitchen and rooted in local agriculture, the show focuses on techniques like fermentation, dehydration, vinegar-making, and preserving—not as trends, but as useful, hopeful skills anyone can learn.
Her work is driven by curiosity, care, and comm___________________________________________________________

About the Well Seasoned Librarian (Reviewer)

Hailing from San Diego and spending his teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean Jones has become a seasoned resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. A true foodie and lover of the written word, Dean wears many hats: librarian, Podcaster, cookbook reviewer, and writer.

Catch him at book festivals, farmers’ markets, bookstores, or savoring a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Dean’s passion for food and literature shines through his published works. You can find his reviews in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine” and his insightful articles on platforms like Medium’s “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors What Are You Reading?” Currently, Dean keeps Benicia Times Herald readers informed with his regular cookbook review column.

Connect with Dean:

• Email: [email protected]
• Podcast: Linktree (Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, YouTube)
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsibP5oAUIam8sOT-MZdXig

Food And DrinkCookbook ReviewPalestinian FoodVegtables

Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast Season 16 Episode 18

Guest: Julia Halina Hadas

Bio: ulia Halina Hadas is the bestselling author of WitchCraft Cocktails and Moon, Magic, Mixology and is the leading mixologist in the witchcraft and spiritual spheres - combining her professions and passions of witchcraft, mixology, and astrology. Her most recent work, The Modern Witchcraft Book of Astrology, reflects her witchcraft and healing practices, where she incorporates the meaning and myth of astrological archetypes and transits for empowerment, transformation, and manifestation. She is a certified reiki, crystal, energy worker, and holds a BA in Anthropology, with minors in Public Policy and English Literature.

Magical Mocktails: https://www.amazon.com/Mystical-Mocktails-Nonalcoholic-Mindful-Affirmations-ebook/dp/B0FM282646?ref_=ast_author_dp_rw&th=1&psc=1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2-hgKPAH1Oa18vT-W_v9ITdVkXs-AHcjhF_EMNp97BD1chHZ_z_bqYgrXHFFhUsZYpSQJJ9bmAsWcxgmpXI4NuAP6F8yfJGh-XGjBQPyg7g.kTVtEJ9BK7KCiLyObGtGalK6MnLZ2CCxbvFTzHwsRN4&dib_tag=AUTHOR

Website: WitchcraftCocktails.com.

About the Well Seasoned Librarian (Reviewer)

Hailing from San Diego and spending his teenage years in the Pacific Northwest, Dean Jones has become a seasoned resident of the San Francisco Bay Area for over 30 years. A true foodie and lover of the written word, Dean wears many hats: librarian, Podcaster, cookbook reviewer, and writer.

Catch him at book festivals, farmers’ markets, bookstores, or savoring a delicious meal at a local restaurant. Dean’s passion for food and literature shines through his published works. You can find his reviews in “Amoral Beatitudes Magazine” and his insightful articles on platforms like Medium’s “One Table One World,” “The Cookbook for All,” “An Idea,” and “Authors What Are You Reading?” Currently, Dean keeps Benicia Times Herald readers informed with his regular cookbook review column.

Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast: Season 16 Episode 17

Guest: Jammie South (The Banshee’s Bakehaus / Jammie Cupcake)

Jammie South, known to many as Jammie Cupcake, is the creative force and head baker behind The Banshee’s Bakehaus — a gothic-inspired dessert brand based in Orange County, California. Her work blends dark romantic aesthetics with decadent flavors, creating desserts that are as hauntingly beautiful as they are delicious.

Balancing whimsy and wickedness, Jammie also brings her sweeter side to life through her Jammie Cupcake brand, which celebrates pastel nostalgia and vintage charm. Beyond baking, she’s a performer, event curator, and community advocate, often uniting art, history, and local makers through immersive themed events.

From vintage-Victorian pop-ups to burlesque-baking mashups, Jammie’s mission is to craft experiences that enchant all the senses — proving that dessert can be both an art form and a story.

Instagram: ⁠@thebansheesbakehaus⁠ @jammiecupcake

Cookbook lovers, this one’s for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library.

Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your Books

Perfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.

Go to the link 

⁠https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED⁠

Season 16 Episode 16:

Show Notes: Welcome to a landmark edition of The Well Seasoned Librarian. We are deep into the end of another year of culinary conversation, and today, for Season 16, Episode 16, we are stepping back into the elegant patisseries and home kitchens of Paris.

The Well Seasoned Librarian Podcast. Episode 15 | Season 16 Host Dean Jones. Guest :Yoko Nakazawa: Fermenting Traditions and the Art of the Japanese Pickle

The Guest:Yoko Nakazawa is a renowned cultural ambassador, preserving expert, and author. Born and raised in rural Japan, Yoko’s foundation was built in her parents' garden, where she learned the importance of seasonality and the ancient craft of food preservation. Since moving to Australia in 2013, she has dedicated herself to bridging cultures through workshops in cooking, calligraphy, and kintsugi.

The Book:The Japanese Art of Pickling and Fermenting: Preserving Vegetables and Family Traditions(Hardcover | Released September 30, 2025)

About This Episode:In this episode, Dean Jones sits down with Yoko Nakazawa to discuss her stunning new book. Much more than a recipe collection, this work is a "love letter" to family heritage. Yoko guides us through the distinctions between Nukazuke, Asazuke, and Misozuke, while sharing how she adapted her Japanese roots to the soil of Australia. Whether you are a seasoned fermenter or a curious beginner, Yoko’s expertise on salt ratios, chopping techniques, and the philosophy of "slow food" will inspire you to transform your kitchen into a living laboratory of flavor.

Shout Out:

"A masterclass in patience and flavor. With a 4.8-star rating, Yoko’s book is quickly becoming the definitive guide for modern cooks looking to honor ancient techniques. It is practical, soulful, and visually breathtaking."

• Purchase the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Art-Pickling-Fermenting-Preserving/dp/1923239139

• Official Author Website: https://cookingwithkoji.wordpress.com/

• Follow Yoko Nakazawa on Social Media: @cookingwithkoji

The Well Seasoned Librarian explores the intersection of literature and the culinary arts. Hosted by Dean Jones and narrated by Xavier.

Connect with the Author & the BookAbout the Podcast

Cookbook lovers, this one’s for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library.

Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your Books

Perfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.

Go to the link 

https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED

Dylan McDonnell Bio: “I am passionate about helping people with dietary needs find restaurants and menu items that are suitable for their needs. Foodini connects the 1 in 3 people with dietary needs to the restaurants and menu items that are most suitable for them, using a dietitian led approach.”

Foodini Website: https://foodini.co/

Cookbook lovers, this one’s for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library.

Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your Books

Perfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.

Go to the link 

https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED

Season 16, Episode 13 features an exclusive interview with Dr. David Newman, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Pork Board. He leads the entire Pork Checkoff's national promotion, research, and education initiatives on behalf of 60,000 U.S. pork producers.

But Dr. Newman is no boardroom academic—he's a lifelong pig farmer and owner of his family's operation, Newman Farm Heritage Berkshire Pork. We discuss the incredible variety and versatility of pork, the science behind meat quality, and the challenges of leading a massive agricultural commodity board.

Join "The Well Seasoned Librarian" for a deeply informative conversation with a leader whose expertise spans the full spectrum of the pork industry.

Guest: Dr. David Newman, CEO of the National Pork Board and owner of Newman Farm.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Pork Checkoff in Action: How Checkoff-funded research and education projects drive domestic and international demand for U.S. pork.

• The Power of Variety: Highlighting the culinary versatility of pork cuts and its global role as a protein staple.

• From Professor to CEO: Dr. Newman's career path, beginning as a renowned professor of meat science and swine research at institutions like North Dakota State University and Arkansas State University.

• Heritage Farming: How his personal experience operating Newman Farm Heritage Berkshire Pork informs his strategic decisions for the national industry.

Connect with Dr. Newman's Work:

• National Pork Board / Pork Checkoff: https://www.porkcheckoff.org/

• Newman Farm Heritage Berkshire Pork: https://newmanfarm.com/

Cookbook lovers, this one’s for you! Get 25% off a subscription to ckbk with code WELLSEASONED — the ultimate digital cookbook library.

Access nearly 1,000 full cookbooks from top authors Use on web and mobile app for cooking anytime, anywhere Save favorites, create custom "recipe playlists", search by ingredient and dietary preference Sync with your print cookbook collection via Eat Your Books

Perfect for serious home cooks and cookbook collectors alike.

Go to the link 

https://join.ckbk.com/ckbk?code=WELLSEASONED