WS Chronicle

Bookmarks will host chef Pat Neely next month.

On Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m., Shannon Smith of Fox 8 will moderate a discussion with Neely at the Arts Council Theatre, 610 Coliseum Drive. Following the conversation, a booksigning and a reception will be held featuring dessert recipes from “ Back Home With the Neelys: Comfort Food from Our Southern Kitchen to Yours,” a new book by Neely and his wife, Gina. Tickets are $15 for general admission or $35 for a ticket that comes with a copy of “Back Home With the Neelys.”

On Thursday, June 5, Neely will host an Eat & Greet at 8 a.m. at Sweet Potatoes, 529 N. Trade St.,that will include a full breakfast of fried catfish, pecan flapJacks, sausage links, glazed ham, apple smoked bacon, sausage cream gravy with sweet potato biscuits, scrambled eggs, cheese grits, peach almond crisp and coffee and iced tea. The meal will be based on the Neelys’ recipes and will be prepared by cooks at Sweet Potatoes. Stephanie Tyson and Vivian Joiner, owners of Sweet Potatoes, will host a talk with Neely during the event. Tickets are $52 and include breakfast and a copy of “Back Home With the Neelys.”
Neely also will sign books at the downtown Texas Pete Twin City RibFest at the Winston-Salem Journal booth from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on June 5.

Detroit native Pat Neely is the co-star of The Food Network’s “Down Home with the Neelys.” In 1988, Neely and his three brothers opened a barbeque restaurant in Memphis. In the early 90s, he rekindled his passion for his high school sweetheart, Gina, with whom he hosts the daily television program. They are also the authors of “Down Home with the Neelys: A Southern Family Cookbook” and “The Neelys’ Celebration Cookbook: Down-Home Meals for Every Occasion.”

Tickets and/or more information are available at http://www.bookmarksnc.org or by calling 1-800-838-3006. All proceeds benefit Bookmarks, a local nonprofit reading and literacy advocacy organization.