Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian StreetBorn in Ukraine to Russian and Armenian parents from Georgia, Polina Chesnakova grew up cooking and eating at the hip of her mother and aunts. Her latest book, Chesnok, paints a warm portrait of the Soviet diaspora through food.
Join us to hear about the people, places, and foods that shaped Polina's life and family, her process to write and develop recipes for her most personal book yet, and more. You'll even get to taste some of the dishes, prepared by our friends at Saami Somi! These bites and beverages, like all the recipes in the book, will be nostalgic and familiar for those within the diaspora and enticing to anyone looking to expand their palate and pantry.
Polina will be joined in conversation by Michael Kolodesh of Saami Somi and Binding Agents owner Catie Gainor.
Guests may choose a ticket with or without a copy of the book. Prices are inclusive of snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, and fees. Entrance to the shop requires one step up. Please contact us at hello@bindingagentsphilly.com with any questions or accessibility needs; we'd be happy to help.
Binding Agents will donate 10% of February event ticket proceeds to Juntos.
About Chesnok
A love letter to the food of her childhood, acclaimed writer Polina Chesnakova shares 100 vibrant regional recipes from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
From Georgian Tkemali (sour plum sauce), Uzbek and Azeri Plovs, and Armenian Gata (butter pastry) to Ukrainian Varenyky (dumplings), Russian Olivier Salad, and Medovik (honey cake), Chesnok is your invitation to learn the rich history of a people through their most cherished recipes and traditions. Essays, stories, and profiles of the amazing cooks in Polina's life are peppered amongst recipes as diverse as the communities from which they blossomed and the immigrant experience they were subsequently passed down in.
About the Author
Polina Chesnakova was born in Ukraine to Russian and Armenian parents from the country of Georgia. She was raised in a tight-knit Rhode Island community of refugees from all over the former Soviet Union, and has cooked and baked in a handful of professional kitchens. She's had her blog (now newsletter) Chesnok since 2015, and her work has been published in Saveur, Epicurious, The Washington Post, and Food 52. She has written two previous cookbooks: Hot Cheese and Everyday Cake. She worked for Book Larder in Seattle and presided over the cooking class program as the Culinary Director from 2021-2023. She lives in Rhode Island with her husband, Lee, and son, Anton.
About Saami Somi
Saami Somi is bringing Georgian-inspired cuisine to Center City via Reading Terminal Market. Coming from two Georgian siblings who grew up in Philadelphia, Saami Somi aims to straddle the lines between Georgian, Philadelphian and American food cultures as well as intergenerational food based traditions. The shop is focused on perfecting popular hot breads such as khachapuri including the famed adjaruli or cheeseboat, khinkali (oversized dumplings) and supra bites (items popular during Georgian Supra feasts). In addition to prepared foods, Saami Somi offers a variety of regional pantry items such as condiments like adjika, sauces like tkemali, preserves and jams, beverages like Zandukeli and home goods such as cookbooks with international flavor.
Wed, Feb 25, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian Street
Binding Agents is Philly's bookshop for cooks and eaters. Located in South Philly’s culinary epicenter, the 9th Street Italian Market, we’re your go-to source for new cookbooks and food-focused reads, plus gifts and goods for making, serving and enjoying. We’re independent, women-owned, fun & funky. Learn more at bindingagentsphilly.com.
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