Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) welcomes award-winning chef, teacher and best-selling cookbook author Tina Wasserman as its Kutnick Scholar-in-Residence for the weekend of Friday through Sunday, Dec. 16 to 18. Wasserman, whose signature work has been in Jewish cooking throughout the world, will be telling the stories behind the recipes and the recipes behind the stories of the Jewish people from all four corners of the earth.

There will be a Tina’s Brunch and Learn session, on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m., open to the general public. Wasserman will give a presentation on Jewish food as it developed throughout time and space, and attendees will simultaneously learn about and consume Jewish culinary delights from Asia, Africa, Europe and North and South America. Those who are interested should make a reservation in advance and give a donation ($9 per person for non-members) to CBSRZ for food costs. Call the CBSRZ office at 860-526-8920 to make a reservation and for advanced payment instruction.

Wasserman also will be cooking one of her specialties on a local television station, WTNH, Channel 8 in most locations, for the cooking segment, In the Bender Kitchen, part of the CT Style show that airs at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 16.

Over the rest of the weekend Wasserman will be in residence at the synagogue and working with members of the congregation, beginning with Shabbat services, Friday evening and an extended oneg/light supper buffet, featuring Wasserman’s recipes, a hands-on cooking workshop on Saturday evening and a cooking adventure with the children of the synagogue Sunday morning.

Wasserman’s cookbooks, Entrée to Judaism: A Culinary Exploration of the Jewish Diaspora and Entrée to Judaism for Families: Jewish Cooking and Kitchen Conversations with Children will also be available for sale in advance through the CBSRZ website, and Wasserman will be available to autograph copies during the weekend.

CBSRZ is located at 55 East Kings Highway in Chester. Visit www.cbsrz.org or call the office 860-526-8920 for information about the scholar weekend or the synagogue in general. For more information about Wasserman’s background, visit www.cookingandmore.com.