Food talks at the LA Times Festival of Books

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is nearly upon us and there is still time to grab tickets to your favorite food based events. To find the food events go here and search cooking and food.

The fastest ticket will probably go to the "Beyond the World: Stories from the World of Food" panel, featuring Ruth Reichl, Ted and Matt Lee, and Jonathan Kauffman. Reichl will be talking about her new memoir, "Save Me the Plums." The Lee brothers are touring with their new book about catering, "Hotbox." Kauffman's book, "Hippie Food," was one of our favorites last year. Lucas Peterson, the viral columnist and video producer for the Times food section, will moderate the panel.

At another panel that excites, LA Times food writer Amy Scattergood will speak to recipe developers Genevieve Ko and Ben Mims about "What Makes A Great Cookbook."

There are also lots of cooking demos that piqued our interest. Here's a shortlist:

Margarita Manzke, author of "Baking at Republique" and co-owner of Republique restaurant

Alana Newhouse, author of "The 100 Most Jewish Foods"

Marcela Valadollid, author of "Fiestas"

Naz Deravian, author of "Bottom of the Pot"

Alana Kysar, author of "Aloha Kitchen"

Genevieve Ko and Ben Mims, recipe developers for the LA Times food and cooking section

Elisa Callow and Val Zavala, authors of "The Urban Forager: Culinary Exploring & Cooking on LA’s Eastside"

The LA Times Festival of Books takes place at USC on April 13 and 14.