“TOC is quite literally my favorite reading series that has ever existed, and maybe the best idea that's ever been conceived? You never leave a TOC event unsated. That's how it should be." — Carmen Maria Machado
What is Tables of Contents?
Tables of Contents creates unique and delicious gatherings and conversations at the intersections of food, literature, arts, and culture. We open new entry points for discussions that matter, catalyze connections between individuals via the vulnerability of the table, and help create and champion art and media that is grounded, diverse, and visionary.
Founded by chef Evan Hanczor in 2012 with a dinner inspired by The Sun Also Rises, Tables of Contents has grown to collaborate with over 250 leading contemporary writers, musicians, and artists at the intersections of food and creativity, including National Book Award & Pulitzer Prize winners, MacArthur recipients, and literal rock stars. Our curation highlights voices and perspectives that have often been under-considered and the individuals who are building our delicious contemporary canon.
Some of the many tables we set include literary tastings and conversations with our favorite authors; a monthly newsletter; recipes and dinner parties that take you course-by-course through a story; and events, exhibitions, and discussions with minds we admire.
In early 2021 we released our first print publication, the Tables of Contents Community Cookbook! A project to raise funds for food justice work in partnership with FIG NYC, our little cookbook that could ended up on the best-of-the-year lists of The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, and has raised over $14,000 for NYC-based food access and sovereignty work since its release.
Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with events and releases on the horizon.
The TOC Reading Series
Every month, we gather a handful of the most exciting literary talents around and ask them to read a piece of new work before an intimate audience. The secret spice? We pair each reading with a course inspired by its contents, creating a sort of literary tasting menu out of the authors’ words. Some courses bring an iconic dish to life, others unhusk a new perspective on the text. For dessert, Evan leads the authors in a wide-ranging conversation about all things food and creativity: their writing practice and cooking habits, their quirky studio snacks, the intersections of food and art, and more.
Want a sample? Click here to see one of our readings brought to life.
“You almost can’t believe someone cares this much about books and food at the same time—they scheme up beautiful evening after beautiful evening.” — Alexander Chee
TOC Dinners
Tables of Contents dinners are inspired by the syntax, imagery, and feelings of a selection of scenes from a single book, lyrics from an album, or images from an artists’ ouevre. We’ve cooked meals inspired by To Kill A Mockingbird, The Member of the Wedding, Their Eyes Were Watching God, My Side of the Mountain, Tender Buttons, Black Leopard Red Wolf, Crying in H Mart, and more. These meals are a truly immersive, multidisciplinary experience, the food and its artistic source deepening the experience of one another and creating a dinner experience like no other.
Click here for a glimpse at our collaborative meal with Marlon James, celebrating the release of his epic novel Black Leopard Red Wolf.
Custom Events & Collaborations
We are available to collaborate on custom dinners or events with individuals, artists, nonprofits, and corporations. Our special projects have included a dinner for trustees of SFMOMA based on the work of Spencer Finch, the Fall Equinox party for Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, and an immersive dinner built around Tender Buttons at the O MIAMI festival.
Learn more about what we can build together and get in touch to make something happen with us.
"It truly felt like realizing a dream I didn't know I had." - Leslie Jamison
Artists
& Partners
We are lucky to be able to work with the best artists, creative teams, nonprofits, and publishing houses around. Our focus is always on representing the wide range of voices creating our contemporary canon.
Featured artists include:
Marlon James
Eileen Myles
Alexander Chee
Alexandra Kleeman
Doreen St. Felix
Morgan Parker
Carmen Maria Machado
Michelle Zauner
Samantha Hunt
Kaitlyn Greenidge
Katie Kitamura
Ishmael Beah
Jenny Xie
Idra Novey
& many more.
Our sponsors and partners include:
Chelsea Market
MacDowell
Insa
Riverhead Books
OMiami Poetry Festival
Expo Milano 2015
Forthave Spirits
Books Are Magic
Brooklyn Arts Council
Center For Fiction
Pioneer Works Penguin Random House
Ace Hotel Brooklyn
and of course, Little Egg.
The Team
TOC founder Evan Hanczor is also the chef/owner of Little Egg restaurant in Brooklyn. He is the co-author (with Egg founder George Weld) of Breakfast: Recipes to Wake Up For and is the creator and editor of the Tables of Contents Community Cookbook.
Shiyulli Suriyakumar lives and works as a consultant in New York City. When not on the clock, you can find her exploring somewhere outside (likely climbing at a new crag), experimenting in the kitchen, or buried in a great book.
Josh Krigman is a writer, teacher, and facilitator. His work has appeared in The Summerset Review, Akashic Books, Necessary Fiction, and elsewhere. He is the founder of Little Nights, an arts programming series that host interdisciplinary events and creative retreats.
Tanya Bush is a pastry chef (at Little Egg!) and writer living in Brooklyn. She is the co-founder of Cake Zine and can be found baking and ruminating at @will.this.make.me.happy.
Jordan Kisner is the author of the essay collection Thin Places, and a contributor for The Atlantic, The New York Times Magazine, and others. She hosts the podcast Thresholds.
Rachel Brotman is a composer, performer and educator living in Brooklyn.
Want to get a seat at the table, collaborate, or just get in touch?
Email us at biscuits@tablesofcontents.orG
or sign up for our newsletter below
