Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian StreetWith breathtaking photography, captivating stories, and over 100 delicious recipes, Maryam Jillani's Pakistan was rightly named a best cookbook of 2025 by The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Bon Appétit, Epicurious, NPR, Serious Eats, and The Strategist.
We're thrilled to welcome Maryam to Binding Agents for a talk about her extraordinary effort to capture the country's rich culinary history in the first major cookbook on Pakistani cuisine, her work as a journalist, and much more!
Guests may choose a ticket with or without a copy of the book. 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.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Pakistan is a groundbreaking cookbook that explores the country's many regional cuisines, making Pakistani food more accessible than ever to cook and enjoy at home. Thanks to shared borders with Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran, as well as a rich history of migration and trade, Pakistani cuisine draws upon a marvelous array of flavors and ingredients, making food one of the country's finest qualities. With recipes for sauces, chutneys, aromatic curries, and subtly spiced vegetables, Pakistan is the perfect introduction for readers new to the cuisine and a welcome reminder of beloved favorites for those already familiar. A showstopping cookbook to be read, savored, and cooked from every night.
A few of the recipes that await: Spiced Chicken Dumplings, Lentil Fritters in Yogurt, Tangy Potato Curry, Slow-Cooked Lamb, Saffron-Infused Flatbread, and Parsi Wedding Custard.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maryam Jillani is a food writer, author, and recipe developer. She most recently authored Pakistan (Hardie Grant, 2025), named one of the best cookbooks of the year by The LA Times, NPR, Washington Post, and Bon Appétit. Before the book, she founded Pakistan Eats, an award-winning platform documenting Pakistani recipes from across the country. She has lived and worked across six countries, and her reporting frequently focuses on the food cultures of underreported communities, from Cambodia's sea salt farmers to Manila's moneylending community to Islamabad's Afghan refugees. Her work has appeared in Al Jazeera, NPR, and Condé Nast Traveler, among others. She also writes a monthly newsletter and a quarterly column for Dunya Digital.
ABOUT THE INTERVIEWER
Hira Qureshi is a food reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. She writes fun, useful guides, explainers, and trend pieces for all Philadelphians to live their best lives. As a third-culture kid, the work she’s most proud of illuminates the power of community, the visibility of the diaspora, and the intersection of food and culture. Before joining The Inquirer, she worked as a food reporter for USA Today Network’s Atlantic region, writing for publications including the Courier Post, The Daily Journal, Burlington County Times, Bucks County Courier Times, and the Intelligencer. She has also freelanced pieces for the Washington Post, Food & Wine, Southern Living Magazine, Bon Appétit, and Religion News Service. She is a graduate of University of Memphis and a proud Philly transplant.
Thu, Jul 16, 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.
Find more Binding Agents Events