Sarah Leah Chase, well-known author of “Nantucket Open House Cookbook” and “Cold-Weather Cooking,” will be at the Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 11a.m. She will chat about and sign copies of her new book, “New England Open-House Cookbook,” which represents her personal philosophy about the finest kind of feasting.

The recipes developed over a lifetime growing up in Connecticut, summering in Maine, and living on Nantucket and Cape Cod gather all the greatest New England has to offer. It is the ideal cookbook companion for born-and-bred New Englanders as well as anyone who spends time in the region.

Hearty chowders for chilly nights, summer rib eyes and swordfish steaks for cookouts on the deck. Plus boils, bakes, and johnny cakes. Innovatively delicious dishes to pack for picnics, and lobster 17 ways (an entire chapter devoted to teaching home cooks how to bake it, grill it, stuff it, fry it, sandwich it, and stew it.) No matter where one lives, one can celebrate New England's down-home flavors and acclaimed regional ingredients and savor the original American comfort food. 

In the foreword, Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa celebrity chef, fellow cookbook writer and friend, said, "This is exactly the food that you want to cook at home — delicious, satisfying earthy food that your friends and family will love."

Chase founded the Massachusetts specialty food shop and catering business, Que Sera Sarah, and collaborated on The New York Times bestseller, “The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook.” Currently she writes a weekly food column for Nantucket’s Inquirer and Mirror newspaper and is recipe consultant to Ina Garten. Sarah and her husband, Nigel, are the owners of Coastal Goods, a retailer of fine seasoning blends. They live with their son on Cape Cod. Tastings will be offered, prepared by some of the book store staff.