By james art Alabama chef Kelsey Barnard Clark of Dothan is no stranger to Birmingham, and this weekend the Top Chef winner will return to the Magic City for two events celebrating the release of her new cookbook, Southern Get-Togethers: A Guide to Host Unforgettable Gatherings.”
One of those events is already sold out, but Clark fans still have a second chance to see her and pick up a signed copy of her cookbook.
On Friday afternoon, Nov. 1, Helen’s Restaurant at 2013 Second Ave. North in downtown Birmingham will host a cocktail hour and conversation between Clark and Southern Living’s Betsy Cribb Watson in the restaurant’s upstairs bar.
All tickets for this event are gone.
But on Saturday morning, November 2, Clarke will return to The Market at Pepper Place for a free cooking demonstration featuring a recipe from her new cookbook.
Her demo starts at 9 a.m., and Clarke will also be signing copies of Southern Get-Togethers, which will be on sale at the market.
Pepper Place Farmers Market is at 2829 Second Ave. South in Birmingham. Hours are 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
RELATED: Alabama’s ‘Top Chef’ reveals his secrets to the perfect barbecue
“Southern Get-Togethers” is Clark’s second cookbook, following “Southern Grit: 100+ Home Recipes for the Modern Cook” in 2021, and the new one includes recipes and tips for hosting backyard barbecues, game day parties and rear doors.
It includes Clark’s recipe for smoked brisket, which she recently shared with AL.com.
Earlier this fall, Clark, the executive chef and owner of KBC Restaurant in Dothan, was one of the celebrity chefs at the second annual Birmingham Food + Culture Festival, where she participated in Pepper Place’s Food + Market Mix event and Southern Living’s Food + Fireside Tailgate Party at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark.
In addition to winning Season 16 of Top Chef in 2019, Clarke was a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist — along with Helen’s Rob McDaniel — for Best Chef: South.
Clark’s Burnt Ends Melt — a KBC favorite that features house-smoked crispy brisket ends served with cheese and barbecue sauce on panini bread — is featured on AL.com’s list of 68 Alabama dishes you must try.