My Book Tour Recap

It has been about a month since my book tour for Time to Eat, and honestly…what can I say other than it was the most incredible couple of weeks. It almost feels like a dream now.

Getting to say that this is my job makes me feel like the luckiest lady. But truly, the most special part of the tour was getting to hug so many of you in person. That right there…that’s my why. You guys are my why.

I thought it would be fun to take you along on the adventure with excerpts from my journal. I’m including some of my favorite photos and clips from the journey.

A smiling woman sits at a table holding a fork with salad. The cover of the cookbook “Big Bites TIME TO EAT” by Kat Ashmore is overlaid. Badges note New York Times and USA Today bestseller status. Text reads Instant Bestseller!.

Monday, January 26

A Snowy Start

Of course, Mother Nature had her own plans.

A huge snowstorm rolled through this weekend, dumping like 20 inches of snow. We went back and forth many times on whether to postpone the event tonight, which we ultimately decided to push to the next week. Luckily Caitlin Murray and the venue were both available, Phew! So thankful it all worked out. (Pics of my snowy town in CT.)

A narrow, snow-lined road leads toward brick buildings under a cloudy winter sky. Leafless trees and utility poles line the street. Snow covers the ground and rooftops.
A stop sign stands on a snow-covered street with large snowbanks and buildings in the background. Icicles hang from an awning above white-framed windows, and another stop sign is visible further down the road.
A snowy landscape with a frozen body of water, leafless bushes, and a playground in the background under a cloudy sky. A sign stands in the snow near the water’s edge.

Tuesday, January 27

New York City — Kohler Showroom
 Conversation Partner: Sarah Fennel

This morning I was on the Nasdaq billboard in the middle of Times Square!!!! Umm…excuse me? Is this real life?! I am over the moon.

The tour officially kicked off at the stunning Kohler Showroom in New York City. When I walked into the showroom, I immediately started shopping (lol). It was such a beautiful space, filled with a step & repeat, flowers, bites, and bubbly.

I was also over the moon to be joined in conversation by my friend Sarah Fennel, who was the perfect person to kick off the tour with. She knows me so well and asked all the right questions. The audience came ready with thoughtful questions too, which definitely kept me on my toes!

Two women pose together and smile in front of a teal photo backdrop with the repeated text, BIG BITES TIME TO EAT! Both are dressed stylishly in casual, elegant outfits.
Two women sit facing an audience, smiling and holding microphones. Behind them is a display wall with various light fixtures. The audience is seated and listening attentively in a bright, modern showroom.
Three women stand together indoors, smiling and holding glasses of sparkling drinks. They pose in front of a green backdrop that reads BIG BITES TIME TO EAT! in a well-lit, modern space with marble floors.
A woman with long brown hair stands in Times Square, looking at a large digital billboard featuring a congratulatory Nasdaq message for Kat Ashmore and the release of her cookbook, with skyscrapers in the background.

Wednesday, January 28

Stop #1 — The Today Show

Call Time: 8:45 AM

Bright and early, I headed to The Today Show with Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones. I absolutely adore these two women.

I made my 10-Minute Salmon Salad and Adventure Granola, and they loved them!

And ummm…I met Paris Hilton. Can we say ICONIC?! Or maybe I should say, That’s Hot. 

A woman smiles excitedly while standing next to a white door covered in signatures and a large “TODAY” show logo. The scene appears to be backstage at the TODAY show studio.
Three women stand in a modern kitchen studio. One is preparing food at the counter while the other two watch. Various ingredients, bowls, and utensils are on the counter. Bright studio lights are visible above.
Two women pose together indoors. The woman on the left wears a dark blouse and the woman on the right is dressed glamorously in a floral suit, sunglasses, and a bright shirt. Caption: Me: I’m appropriately glam for a morning tv show. Paris: Hold my champagne.

Stop #2 — RJ Julia Book Event

Madison, Connecticut
Conversation Partner: Diane Morrissey

Tonight we headed to Madison, Connecticut for an event with RJ Julia Booksellers alongside the amazing Diane Morrissey.

Diane is one of my favorite people. We met at a luncheon a couple of years ago and immediately knew we had to be friends. She keeps it real in the best way. And despite snow and freezing temperatures, all the guests showed up in a big way. The cookies came out strong for this one!

Two women stand smiling in front of a “BIG BITES TIME TO EAT!” backdrop. One woman holds a cookbook with a dish on the cover. They are indoors near a staircase and wear long skirts and sweaters.
A woman sits at a table stacked with large pink-covered books, flipping through one. Another person’s hand is visible, holding a book. A piano and door are in the background in a well-lit room.
Two women sit and talk on stage beside a small table with books and water bottles, in front of a sign that reads RJ Julia Independent. There is a staircase and part of a banister in the background.

Thursday, January 29

Greenwich Event — Delamar Hotel (L’Escale)
 Conversation Partner: Alston Calabrese

What. A. Night.

My incredible publicist Claire Bamundo organized the most special event at L’Escale restaurant at the Delamar Hotel in Greenwich.

Claire jokingly called it “Kat’s mini wedding,” and honestly…she wasn’t wrong.

We started with a cocktail hour and mingling, then moved into a three-course meal featuring recipes straight from the cookbook. Seeing people enjoying dishes from my book in such a beautiful setting felt surreal.

Eight women, dressed in stylish evening attire, stand together indoors, smiling for the camera. Several hold drinks, and the setting features a patterned tile floor and elegant decor.
Screenshot
Two women in black dresses smile and pose by a tall round table with a white tablecloth, holding drinks. A small vase with yellow flowers and a candle are on the table. Elegant indoor setting with marble floors and plants.
Five women stand together indoors on a tiled floor, smiling at the camera and holding drinks. They are dressed in stylish, semi-formal attire, and appear to be at a social event or gathering.

My conversation partner was Alston Calabrese of Habitual Hostess, whom I absolutely adore. She shared amazing tips on hosting dinner parties and making weeknight meals feel special.

My best friend and my daughter were there as well, which made the evening even more meaningful.

So many Cookies flew in from all over—Florida, Michigan, California, Atlanta. I can’t even tell you how much that meant to me. I absolutely loved meeting everyone.

Two women sit on stools, holding microphones, in front of a Big Bites Time To Eat! banner at an indoor event. One woman speaks while the other listens. Both are dressed formally, with a chandelier visible above.
Five women are seated around a dining table, engaged in conversation. There are plates of food, glasses of wine and water, and a floral centerpiece on the table. The setting appears to be a formal or celebratory event.
A smiling woman in a green dress hugs a young girl in a black jacket at a dining table set for an event. Other guests sit at tables in the elegant, warmly lit room decorated with flowers.
A group of nine smiling women stand together indoors, dressed in a variety of stylish outfits including dresses, skirts, and blouses. They pose closely, with arms around each other, in a warmly lit room with wooden floors.

Monday, February 2

Stop #1 — The Drew Barrymore Show

Another pinch-me moment. (How many is too many to have…asking for a friend?)

I got to cook with Valerie Bertinelli, someone I have admired forever. Dad and I used to watch One Day at a Time together regularly, so sharing that moment felt incredibly special.

I made my Cabbage Soup, and she loved it! She said that it was my instagram that helped her heal her relationship with food after years of dieting. This is my purpose, so being able to hug her & laugh with her meant everything. Literally everything.

Two women stand side by side in a kitchen, smiling at the camera and holding bowls of pasta with sauce. The background shows shelves with kitchenware and wall art.
Two people hug in a brightly lit dressing room with makeup stations, mirrors, and a TV screen showing DREW in the background. Another person stands nearby, smiling and watching the embrace.
Three women stand in a small elevator having a conversation. One wears a red sweater with white lightning bolts, another wears a navy top and floral skirt, and the third stands in the back wearing black and red sneakers.

Stop #2 — Rye, New York

Conversation Partner: Caitlin Murray from Big Time Adulting

Later that evening we headed to Rye to finally have the event with Caitlin Murray that had been postponed due to the storm.

I think we laughed through our entire conversation. She enjoyed roasting me and at one point we created a special handshake and she gave me a piggyback ride…which probably tells you everything you need to know about how that night went.

I would happily hang out with Caitlin Murray every single day from now on. She is the one who can make a bad day, great. Adore her!

Two women stand in front of a backdrop that says BIG BITES TIME TO EAT! They are playfully posing, with one leaning back and the other raising her arms as if dancing or pretending to box. Both are smiling and having fun.
Two women dance back-to-back on a patterned rug in front of a blue photo backdrop that reads BIG BITES TIME TO EAT! in a well-lit room.
Two women pose playfully in front of a blue backdrop reading BIG BITES TIME TO EAT. One woman leans forward while the other, dressed in a floral shirt, hugs her from behind and appears to be lifting her.

Tuesday, February 3

The Tamron Hall Show

Today we taped The Tamron Hall Show in front of a live audience, which was such a thrill. The energy in the room was so much fun.

I made my Citrusy Horseradish Beef Tenderloin from the cookbook, and it was a hit.

Tamron and her entire team were so kind…I honestly could have stayed all day.

A woman sits in a makeup chair holding a coffee cup while a makeup artist applies makeup to her face. The woman wears a striped cape and a pink sweater; the artist wears a green patterned shirt. Another person is in the background.
Two women stand behind a kitchen counter preparing food on a cooking show set. One woman wears a pink top and slices meat, while the other, in a white floral blouse, gestures as they talk. Kitchen ingredients are on the counter.
A woman sits in a salon chair with a black cape on, writing on a pink clipboard, while a hairstylist stands behind her, combing her long brown hair.
A woman with braided hair smiles and claps, wearing a colorful green, pink, and blue sweater, while standing among a cheering crowd outdoors.

Wednesday, February 4

Austin, Texas — Camille Styles Event

This day started with a 4:30 AM airport pickup, which meant I barely slept the night before. Can anyone relate?!

Emily, my Director of Communications, and Claire, my publicist, joined me and we headed off for a girls trip to Texas.

As we were getting ready for the evening event, I received a phone call from my publisher.

The book had just made the New York Times Best Sellers list!!!

I screamed.
I cried (okay…sobbed).
I laughed.

After the year I had, this milestone felt both unimaginable and deeply meaningful. We did it. Even writing this now makes me emotional all over again.

That evening, Camille Styles hosted a beautiful gathering at her home before the book event. The setting was absolutely stunning, and she had prepared appetizers from my cookbook. I was in heaven—eating, sipping, and laughing with her lovely friends.

Three women stand together indoors, engaged in conversation. One woman gestures expressively with her hands on her chest. A glass of white wine and a plate of food are visible on the table in the foreground.
A table set with a wooden salad bowl, a cheese and fruit platter, small appetizers, and an open cookbook displaying a Swiss chard bruschetta recipe, all arranged near a large ceramic vase with branches.
Two women stand by a dining table with various appetizers, salads, and snacks in a bright, modern living room. One woman eats, while the other looks at the table. Other people are in the background.
A smiling woman in a floral dress bends down to pet a happy golden dog on a patio with outdoor furniture, overlooking a scenic view of trees and a distant city skyline under a partly cloudy sky.

Video: Courtesy Avery Wagner, of Wagner Perspective

Later we headed to BookPeople, Austin’s beloved bookstore, for the event. Camille had such thoughtful questions prepared.

One of my favorites was:

“What’s an ingredient people don’t use enough?” My answer: Dijon mustard.

You can do so much with it. I also love good-quality canned beans like chickpeas or lentils- because if I have a can of beans, I’ve got dinner. In my book there’s a recipe for Beans Puttanesca, which delivers all the bold flavor of the original dish without the pasta.

A poster on a bulletin board promotes a Book People event featuring Kat Ashmore and Camille Styles on February 4 at 7 PM in Austin, Texas, with photos of Kat and her cookbook Big Bites: Time to Eat.
Two women pose and smile together in front of a green backdrop with the text BIG BITES TIME TO EAT repeated in pink and white letters. One woman wears a floral outfit; the other wears a green jumpsuit.
A woman stands at a book signing table, autographing a bright pink book. The backdrop reads BIG BITES TIME TO EAT! and the table displays water bottles, markers, and a cookbook with a photo of a meal on the cover.

Thursday, February 5

Dallas Event with Caitlin Wilson

Another early flight took us to Dallas for my event with Caitlin Wilson.

Caitlin and I have become friends through Instagram, so meeting in person felt like finally meeting a longtime bestie. She is an absolute doll.

We talked about motherhood, feeding your family, and building confidence in the kitchen. I encouraged her to get in the kitchen, crack open my book, and just start cooking. You have to start somewhere—and the confidence will begin to grow.

Two women smile at a table with stacks of books in front of them. The books include “Big Bites: Time to Eat” and “Return to Pretty.” They are indoors, posing with their heads resting on their hands.
Two women embrace warmly at a bookstore event. Stacks of cookbooks are displayed on the table in front of them. A signboard with event information and book covers is visible in the background.
Two women smile and pose close together behind stacked hardcover books titled Return to Pretty and Time to Eat! with colorful covers on display.

Friday, February 6

Home to Connecticut

Friday morning we flew back to Connecticut.

As we were leaving, I just felt overwhelmed with gratitude—for everyone who came out, supported the book, and showed up along the way.

What an unbelievable couple of weeks.

My heart is so incredibly full.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

8 Comments

  1. So wonderful Kat! You worked so hard and what a gift you gave us! Congratulations! Cookie Jar Forever!

    Reply

  3. It was a true pleasure to meet you, Kat, as you are as down-to-earth, funny, witty, charming, brilliant, and kind as everyone assumes. Thank you so much for really spending time to chat and arranging that group photo. Delamar did a great job and the food was absolutely delicious. Your recipes always come out perfectly because they’re not incredibly fussy or overly difficult to execute . Stay well, love.

    Reply

  4. I came to your event in Dallas and it was great. I had no idea what to expect, as I had never gone to a book tour ever before (and I went alone), but it was awesome. It felt like it does when you talk with us in the 🍪jar – like we are all friends.

    You are so approachable and real and you don’t gatekeep things. Cause you want to do your part in making this world, and us, better.

    Love you Kat – and I’ll definitely be there for your next tour (and will remember to bring your first book to get signed too)!

    Reply

    1. Jackie!! The Dallas event was one of my favorite audience conversations! I am so thankful to you for coming and supporting, it really means the world. And yes, I will see you for the book 3 Book Tour!! Will be here before ya know it lol. XO, Kat

      Reply