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Exclusive Book Talk and NYBG Library Tour

  • June 13, 2025
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • The New York Botanical Garden, LuEsther T. Mertz Library, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458

Register


Friday, June 13, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET

The New York Botanical Garden, LuEsther T. Mertz Library, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458

WMG members only; FREE


Join Penguin Random House’s Library Marketing team for an exclusive morning at the New York Botanical Garden’s LuEsther T. Mertz Libraryfeaturing a conversation with the award-winning chef and author Amy Chaplin and a book signing. 


Immerse yourself in the world of whole food cooking as Amy shares her culinary journey, insights, and inspirations. Following the book talk, enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Mertz Library, one of the largest and most comprehensive botanical libraries in the world, led by its Director, Rhonda Evans. This is a unique opportunity to explore the library’s vast collections and learn about its rich history. 


Here’s what’s included:

  • Captivating book talk by award-winning chef and author Amy Chaplin
  • Complimentary copy of At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen for each guest
  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Mertz Library with Director Rhonda Evans
  • Free admission to the New York Botanical Garden (which is accessible via public transportation)
  • Free parking permits available upon request


Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with fellow food lovers, meet a renowned chef, and explore the wonders of the Mertz Library. Reserve your spot today and be part of an unforgettable experience!


Speakers:
Amy Chaplin has been a vegetarian chef for the last twenty years. Prior to settling in New York and working as the executive chef at Angelica Kitchen, she was a chef at Shizen, a Japanese macrobiotic restaurant in Amsterdam, and a pastry chef at Amsterdam’s famous bakery De taart van m’n tante. In London, Amy founded The Lekker Lounge, a catering company specializing in gourmet vegetarian and vegan food. Currently, Amy teaches and cooks privately for clients, consults and develops recipes for restaurants and food companies, and blogs at amychaplin.com. Amy has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, appears regularly as a guest on WNYC radio’s “Last Chance Foods,” and has been a contributor for publications such as Delicious Living Magazine and New York Magazine. She is author of Whole Food Cooking Every Day and At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen which won an IACP and James Beard award. Photo credit: Johnny Miller.
 

Rhonda Evans is the Director of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library at the New York Botanical Garden, one of the largest and most comprehensive botanical libraries in the world. Rhonda joined NYBG from the New York Public Library where she held various roles over eight years. For most of her tenure at NYPL, she was the Assistant Chief Librarian at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rhonda has written for multiple library publications, including Libraries: Culture, History, and Society, Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, and the anthology The Black Librarian in America Reflections, Resistance, and Reawakening.

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