Pomegranate Books will host a cocktail hour with restaurant reviewer and author John E. Batchelor on June 17. Joining Batchelor will be several Wilmington chefs that are featured in his newest book, "Chefs of the Coast: Restaurants & Recipes from the North Carolina Coast". The book highlights coastal Carolina restaurants and chefs.

Batchelor, a restaurant reviewer with the Greensboro News & Record, traveled the coast from Elizabeth City to Southport interviewing both well-established and up-and-coming chefs. Each profile includes a description of the chef's restaurant, sample menu items and recipes as well as photographs of the food and chefs. With 13 entries, Wilmington is the best-represented region in the book.

Celebrating the book alongside Batchelor will be Kymberlei DiNapoli of The Olive Café & Wine Bar, Robert Pickens of Kornerstone Bistro, Pierre Penegre of Le Catalan French Cafe & Wine Bar and Thierry Moity of Caprice Bistro. Each chef will provide samples, some from the recipes featured in Batchelor’s book.

“The Chefs of the Coast event is a great opportunity to enjoy the flavors of Wilmington's top chefs and maybe find a new favorite dining spot,” said Pomegranate owner Kathleen Jewell. “The book allows food lovers to create the recipes at home as well. We're looking forward to a really fun evening.”

The cocktail reception and book signing begins at 5 p.m. at Pomegranate Books, 4418 Park Ave.

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