Behind the Recipes: The Cookbook Club at Fearrington Village
In the Field
Behind the Recipes: The Cookbook Club at Fearrington Village
In conversation with Melissa M. Martin and Von Diaz
Join us for our first in-person Cookbook Club event! Taking place on August 21-22, 2025, you don’t want to miss Behind The Recipes: The Cookbook Club at Fearrington Village. In conversation with chef Melissa M. Martin and food historian Von Diaz, this two-day event will celebrate the flavors of the South from North Carolina to New Orleans.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn what goes into creating and producing a cookbook, now’s your chance! TLP Editor in Chief, Erin Byers Murray is getting together with Melissa, chef of New Orleans restaurant Mosquito Supper Club and author of Bayou: Feasting Through the Seasons of a Cajun Life as well Von, author of Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking for our first Cookbook Club in-person conversation. Expect to get the scoop on all that went into making each of the cookbooks, try bites inspired by each of their stories, and learn your own tips and tricks for how to best cook your way through the books. We’ll also hear about the stories behind Melissa and Von’s favorite recipes.
This event is open to the public, with exclusive discounts extended to Cookbook Club members at the Chef de Cuisine and Sous Chef levels. Tickets can be purchased a la carte, or bundle the two-day experience with an exclusive stay at The Fearrington House Inn. Accommodations can be booked directly through the Inn by calling 919.542.2121.
Cookbooks will be available to purchase on-site through McIntyre’s Books or pre-ordered online.
Ticket holders can enjoy the following exclusive savings when booked directly through the Fearrington House Inn:
- 25% off overnight accommodations when you mention The Local Palate event
- 15% off a tasting dinner at The Fearrington House Restaurant when you mention The Local Palate event
Behind the Recipes at Fearrington Village Talent 
Melissa M. Martin
Von Diaz
Behind the Recipes at Fearrington Village Schedule
VIP Meet & Greet
Thursday, August 21 | 6:00 – 6:30PM
Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to connect one-on-one with authors Melissa M. Martin and Von Diaz before the evening’s festivities begin. This intimate session offers a chance to chat personally, ask questions, and have your cookbooks signed by the authors themselves. Limited tickets available for this special prelude to Tasting Notes.
Tasting Notes
Thursday, August 21 | 6:45 – 8:00PM
Ease into the weekend with a flavorful evening of conversation, small bites, and signature sips at Fearrington Village. Enjoy tastes inspired by recipes from Bayou and Islas, then settle in for a thoughtful discussion with cookbook authors Melissa M. Martin and Von Diaz, moderated by The Local Palate Editor-in-Chief Erin Byers Murray. It’s an inviting first course to a weekend celebrating food, storytelling, and Southern hospitality.
Pages to Plates
Friday, August 22 | 11:30AM – 2:00PM
Sit down to an unforgettable multi-course luncheon where the stories of the South and Latin America unfold on every plate. Inspired by the celebrated cookbooks Bayou and Islas, each course pays tribute to the heritage, flavors, and personal histories shared by authors Melissa M. Martin and Von Diaz. Thoughtfully prepared by the Fearrington House culinary team and paired with sommelier-selected wines, the afternoon invites guests to dine in the company of the authors themselves—sharing in the conversation, culture, and connections that only a meal like this can offer. A true feast for the senses and the soul.
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