The

Kent and DJ Nielsen, the online shopkeepers and resident chefs of Cooks and Books and Corks, come from extensive, yet diverse food oriented backgrounds.

DJ

DJ cooked on private yachts before coming to California to attend The Culinary Academy in San Francisco in 1991.

She graduated with high honors and received The Danielle Carlisle Walker Award, a prestigious award granted to one graduating senior. While working as a private chef on the Peninsula after graduation, she heard that Cooks and Books was available.

When DJ took over ownership, she met Kent.

Kent

A native Californian, Kent grew up acquiring a sophisticated palate. When he left home as a young adult, he had to learn to cook in order to enjoy the flavors with which he had become accustomed.

Kent spent 18 years in the retail food business, 15 as the produce manager for a major grocery chain, giving him extensive knowledge on the seasonality and variety of foods.

Kent and DJ have been teaching classes, catering events, making guest chef appearances, and having a great time in the kitchen together for seventeen years. Fourteen years ago DJ and Kent were married and began creating the recipe for their happiness.

In January 2005 Kent and DJ sold their Danville property that housed Cooks and Books. They moved to Napa Valley and can be found conducting cooking classes and private events at several estate and winery locations.