• April 4, 2024
          Everybody Reads 2024: Gabrielle Zevin
          April 8, 2024
          2024 Oregon Book Awards Ceremony
          April 18, 2024
          Aimee Nezhukumatathil: Portland Arts & Lectures 2023/24
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Joan Cirillo

Joan Cirillo

Writer

Joan Cirillo is an educator, author and award-winning independent journalist whose career has included investigative reporting, newspaper and magazine feature writing and writing for websites and digital magazines. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. she graduated with a B.A. from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. and studied in Aix-en-Provence, France. She has been a staff writer, columnist and magazine writer for the Gannett Westchester newspapers; a staff writer for the Associated Press in New York City; and an Assistant Professor of Journalism at NYU. A culinary educator, she has taught cooking classes for Sur La Table and other local organizations and has worked as a Nutrition Educator for the Oregon State University Extension Service. She is author of “The Westchester Book: An Invitation to Explore” and “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Cooking with Kids.”

Cirillo is a longtime annual judge for The James Beard Awards and has served as a judge for the Emmy Awards in New York City and the international cookbook and journalism awards for the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She moved from New York City to Portland in 1992 where she and her husband, Roger Cooke, raised their two daughters and have been active in local organizations and schools. Cirillo has been a longtime board member and former President of the Portland Culinary Alliance; Board member of Portland Center Stage; and Chair of the Kids in the Kitchen Committee and member of the Portland conference organizing committee for the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She has served on committees at the Multnomah Athletic Club, the Oregon Food Bank, and Catholic Charities. Her hobbies include travel, cycling, hiking, skiing, golf and, of course, reading.

Events, Classes, and Seminars

Our events, classes, and seminars bring the community together to hear, learn, and discuss the most compelling issues and ideas of our day. We hope you will join us in our downtown Literary Arts space, online, and at partnering venues across Portland and Oregon.