Books and Bites: What is Queer Food?
A Talk and Tasting with John Birdsall and Elazar Sontag
Mon, June 2, 2025
6:00 PM
Pier 57
25 11th Ave
New York, NY 10011
General Admission
$45
General Admission + Copy of What Is Queer Food?
$70
A Conversation with the Two-Time James Beard Award–Winning Author and a James Beard Award–Nominated Editor and Journalist
Kick off Pride Month with two-time James Beard Award–winning author John Birdsall as he celebrates his new book, What is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution. By interrogating the histories of queer lives, social movements, spaces, and meals, Birdsall, a former chef and celebrated food writer, traces the evolution of queer food over decades and weaves together the story of how—through times of fear and persecution—queer people used food to express joy and build community. In conversation with Birdsall is Elazar Sontag, the James Beard Award–nominated journalist and restaurant editor at Bon Appétit. Join them for an evening of tasting, sipping, celebrating resilience, and discovering how food has become a crucial language of queer identity.
Copies of What is Queer Food? How We Served a Revolution will be available for purchase with tickets and at the event from our friends at Kitchen Arts & Letters.
Who's Speaking
John Birdsall (Photo: Rachel Marie Castillo)
Elazar Sontag (Photo: Guang Xu)
Menu
Stay tuned for updates!
Additional Info
Event Policy
Reservation Policy:
All reservations are non-refundable and must be made in advance. Should the event be cancelled due to any unforeseen circumstances, JBF will offer a range of options, including ticket exchanges, the option to donate tickets, or a full refund. For more information, contact platformbyjbf@jamesbeard.org.
Alcohol Disclaimer:
James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served.
Dietary/Food Restrictions Policy:
Events at Platform by JBF are special one-night-only menus and we do not offer a la carte menus. If you have serious food allergies, we will work with the visiting chef team to do our best to accommodate but cannot guarantee that alternate options will be available for every course.
Terms
Tickets to events held at Platform at Pier 57 by the James Beard Foundation cover the cost of food, education and a unique dining experience. Meals are prepared by culinary masters from all regions of the United States and around the world. Unless otherwise stated, alcoholic beverages are provided on a complimentary basis and are not included in the ticket price.
James Beard Foundation events permit guests age 21 years and older to attend events where alcoholic beverages are served.