A Tribute to Legendary Chef Jacques Pépin/ CANCELLED

Program Type:

Author Talk

Age Group:

Adults, Seniors
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Event Details

      CANCELLED                    

Please join us as we pay tribute to legendary chef Jacques Pépin on the occasion of his 90th birthday, as he discusses the publication of The Art of Jacques Pépin, his curated collection of recipes and artworks, with cookbook author, recipe developer and culinary influencer Anna Francese Gass of New Canaan.

Published just in time for the holidays, The Art of Jacques Pépin is Wilton Library's selection for Gift Book of 2025. It celebrates the master chef's two premier passions in life - cooking and painting - with 99 of his all-time favorite and most-cooked recipes paired with pieces of his signature artworks spanning the last 60 years. A true creative expression of Jacques Pépin, this beautifully illustrated cookbook will inspire you to cook and create as Jacques does, and makes the perfect holiday gift for friends and family.

Jacques Pépin

In addition to his work as a chef, culinary educator, television personality and artist, Jacques Pépin has authored over 30 cookbooks, and is the first chef to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Also among his many honors and awards, Jacques has received 16 James Beard Foundation Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. 

In 2016, with his daughter and his son-in-law, Jacques created the Jacques Pépin Foundation, which supports free culinary and life skills training, through community based organizations, that helps individuals detached from the workforce gain confidence, skills, and employment in food service.

Anna Francese Gass

Born in Italy and raised in the U.S., the cuisine of Italy is part of Anna Francese Gass’s soul. She graduated from the French Culinary Institute and began her career in the test kitchen of Martha Stewart Living and Food52. Her first cookbook, Heirloom Kitchen: Heritage Recipes and Family Stories from The Tables of Immigrant Women, was a collection of cherished family recipes from around the world published in 2019. Her second cookbook, Italian Snacking was released in 2024 and is a national bestseller.  Anna is known for her ingenious takes on traditional Italian dishes, and millions around the world have viewed her Instagram videos at @annafgass. She appears regularly on Good Morning America and the Today Show. She is also a regular contributor to NYT Cooking  where her Italian inspired recipes are top-rated. Currently, she is shooting a new cooking show, Instant Italian. Season 1 is currently streaming on Hulu and the FYI cable network.

Elm Street Books will be on site to sell copies of The Art of Jacques Pépin, which Jacques will sign after his talk. A portion of the proceeds will go to the library.

Registration is required. Please register online or call (203) 762-6334. 

Pre-registrants should arrive by 12:45 pm to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants as well as pre-registrants will be admitted after12:45 pm, if space is available.