Chef Regina Charboneau at Books & Books, Hosted by Bill Panoff

The intersection of Southern hospitality and international culinary sophistication will take center stage at Books & Books in Coral Gables on Friday, March 13, from 7 to 8 p.m., as legendary chef Regina Charboneau presents her latest literary and culinary achievement. The event, which promises to be a deep dive into the art of the meal, focuses on her new book, Six Courses: An Entertaining Life. Serving as the evening’s host is Bill Panoff, the esteemed founder and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine, a figure whose expertise in global luxury travel perfectly complements Charboneau’s expansive career.

Books & Books, a cultural landmark in South Florida known for hosting the world’s most influential authors and thinkers, provides the ideal backdrop for this discussion. Charboneau, affectionately known as the "Queen of Biscuits," is a figure whose influence stretches far beyond the kitchen. Her new book is less a traditional cookbook and more a culinary memoir, structured around 28 meticulously curated menus and over 200 recipes that chronicle the pivotal moments of her five-decade career. These menus serve as a roadmap of her life, tracing a path from her childhood in Natchez, Mississippi, to the kitchens of Paris, the rugged landscapes of Alaska, and the vibrant dining scene of San Francisco.

In Six Courses: An Entertaining Life, Charboneau explores the philosophy that food is the ultimate medium for storytelling. Each course is designed to reflect a specific chapter of her journey. Readers are invited into her world through stories of her time in Paris, where she refined her techniques, and her years in San Francisco, where she became a staple of the city’s culinary renaissance. The book also highlights her unique ability to bridge the gap between high-society elegance and down-home comfort. This duality is perhaps best exemplified by her legendary friendships and professional encounters with cultural icons. Over the years, she has cooked for and befriended the likes of rock legend Mick Jagger, the incomparable Julia Child, and the versatile actor Tim Curry. These anecdotes provide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the life of a chef who has navigated both the grit of a professional kitchen and the glamour of celebrity entertaining.

The upcoming event at Books & Books will offer attendees an intimate look at the recipes that have defined Charboneau’s legacy. Among the highlights are her signature gnocchi and her blue-cheese-stuffed filet, dishes that represent her ability to elevate classic ingredients through technical precision and soulful intuition. As Panoff leads the conversation, the audience will gain insight into the "Queen of Biscuits" moniker. Charboneau is credited with transforming her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, into the "Biscuit Capital of the World," a title that has spurred significant culinary tourism to the region. Her biscuits, known for their distinct "butter-munch" texture—a secret method involving folding cold butter into the dough—have been praised by food critics and home cooks alike.

Charboneau’s influence on the hospitality industry is extensive. Throughout her 50-year career, she has been a serial entrepreneur, opening several landmark establishments. In San Francisco, she founded Regina’s at the Regis and the legendary Biscuit and Blues, a venue that successfully married Southern comfort food with the soulful sounds of live blues. Upon returning to her roots in Natchez, she opened Kings Tavern and Regina’s Kitchen. Today, Regina’s Kitchen serves as both a restaurant and a premier cooking school, where she passes on the traditions of Southern cooking to a new generation of enthusiasts. Her work has garnered national acclaim, with features in The New York Times, Better Homes and Gardens, and Southern Living, alongside numerous appearances on The Today Show.

The March 13 event also serves as a precursor to an exciting new chapter in Charboneau’s career: a partnership with Atlas Ocean Voyages. The luxury cruise line has announced that Charboneau will join the World Traveller for a 10-night "Epicurean Expedition" departing from Rome on July 30, 2026, and concluding in Barcelona. This partnership highlights the growing trend of culinary-focused travel, where discerning passengers seek immersive experiences that go beyond standard shipboard dining.

The World Traveller, a state-of-the-art expedition ship, provides an intimate and luxurious setting for this journey. During the voyage, Charboneau will lead a series of specialized culinary programs. These include live cooking demonstrations where she will share the secrets of her famous biscuits and other Southern staples, as well as curated tastings that pair her recipes with local Mediterranean ingredients. A centerpiece of the expedition will be the "Yachtsman Cook-Off," a high-stakes culinary competition where Charboneau will serve as a judge, evaluating the skills of participants as they attempt to master complex dishes under her watchful eye.

The itinerary from Rome to Barcelona is a gastronomic dream, winding through some of the most historic and flavor-rich ports in the Mediterranean. As the ship traverses the Tyrrhenian and Balearic Seas, the "Epicurean Expedition" will emphasize the connection between land and sea. This alignment with Atlas Ocean Voyages is a natural fit for Charboneau, whose career has always been defined by a sense of adventure and a willingness to explore new horizons. The partnership reflects a broader shift in the cruise industry toward "niche luxury," where the focus is on expertise, authenticity, and high-level engagement between experts and guests.

For the attendees at Books & Books, the evening with Charboneau and Panoff will be more than just a book signing; it will be a celebration of the "entertaining life." In a world where dining is often rushed or transactional, Charboneau’s approach emphasizes the importance of the gathering itself. Her book advocates for the return of the multi-course meal as a way to foster connection and celebrate life’s milestones. By breaking the book down into menus rather than just individual recipes, she provides a blueprint for hosts to create cohesive, memorable experiences for their guests.

Analysis of Charboneau’s impact on the culinary world suggests that her greatest contribution may be her role as a cultural ambassador for the American South. At a time when Southern cuisine was often misunderstood or oversimplified, Charboneau brought a level of sophistication and classical training to the table that demanded respect. Her ability to move seamlessly from the rustic kitchens of Mississippi to the high-pressure environments of San Francisco and Paris proved that Southern flavors belong on the global stage.

Furthermore, the involvement of Bill Panoff in the Coral Gables event underscores the importance of travel in the culinary narrative. As the founder of Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine, Panoff has spent decades documenting how food defines the travel experience. His presence ensures that the discussion will touch upon the ways in which regional cuisines—like the ones Charboneau has mastered—serve as the heartbeat of global tourism.

As the date of the event approaches, excitement is building within the South Florida culinary community. The opportunity to hear from a chef of Charboneau’s caliber, in conversation with a travel industry titan like Panoff, is a rare occurrence. The event at 265 Aragon Avenue is expected to draw a diverse crowd, ranging from aspiring chefs and cookbook collectors to seasoned travelers interested in the Atlas Ocean Voyages expedition.

In conclusion, Regina Charboneau’s Six Courses: An Entertaining Life is a testament to a career built on passion, resilience, and a deep-seated love for the art of feeding others. Whether she is teaching a biscuit-making class in Natchez or judging a cook-off on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean, her mission remains the same: to celebrate the joy of the table. The Books & Books event on March 13 stands as a significant milestone in her journey, offering a moment to reflect on a storied past while looking forward to a future filled with new flavors and new adventures. Those who attend will not only walk away with a book full of recipes but also with a greater understanding of what it means to lead a truly entertaining life.