Cooking with Writers

CookingWithWritersLogo

Book and Kitchen’s new series that brings together our two favourite things: cooking and literature to explore the relationship between them.

The aim of the series is to create an exciting new experience with our favourite UK based authors; whether it’s a chef presenting the history behind their recipes, or a writer whose characters can often be found in the kitchen.

The launching event will be held in April 2017 with Jason Goodwin, author of the award-winning thriller The Janissary Tree, cooking recipes from his new book Yashim Cooks Instanbul.

The event will be open to 16 people who will share the meal together with the author in a cosy setting. Though the number of spots will be limited, we are working on making them available to be viewed online through podcasts or video.

For further information on the series or if you are an author interested in participating in any of the quarterly events – please contact info@bookandkitchen.com

 

Apr
26
Wed
Cooking with Jason Goodwin – ‘Yashim Cooks Istanbul’ Supperclub
Apr 26 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join us for an evening of Turkish food cooked by Jason Goodwin, with recipes from detective Yashim’s culinary adventures in Istanbul.

An NPR ‘Best Book of 2016’

Cookingwith_JasonGoodwinEventProduct‘What is there not to love in a detective who enjoys cooking as much as he enjoys eating?’ The Financial Times

A wonderful book… something unique.” Carolyn Hart, editor, Bread & Oysters

Easy and delicious…I was seduced.” Helena Drysdale, Country Life

Our series launches on the 26th April 2017 with Jason Goodwin, author of the award-winning detective series The Janissary Tree. Set in 19th century Istanbul, the series features the investigator Yashim, and is translated into over forty languages. Fans of the series have followed Yashim puzzling over clues as he fries courgettes or pulverizes beef for dishes such as Assassin’s Steak Tartare, and they demanded the full recipes! Jason’s latest book is Yashim Cooks Istanbul (£25), a mix of Yashim’s Ottoman-inspired recipes and described as ‘genius’ by Delicious magazine. It contains lots of easy, traditional Turkish recipes that bring the flavours and colours of Istanbul to life, alongside more unfamiliar recipes for feasts
janissary tree

Jason will be preparing recipes from his book Yashim Cooks Istanbul, while talking us through the dishes. Aside from the deliciously prepared meal, this will be an intimate evening where guests will be able to converse with Jason about crime fiction, Ottoman history and Turkish food – and enjoy a glass of wine with a signed copy of the cookbook thrown in. The Janissary Tree series will also be available to buy in the shop for the author to sign.

Jason Goodwin: A historian and award-winning crime writer whose walk from the Baltic to Instanbul sparked a lifelong interest in Turkey. Lords of the Horizons: A History of the Ottoman Empire, was published to wide acclaim in 1999, followed by five novels in the Yashim series, the first of which won the Edgar Award for Best Novel. Jason is a passionate cook. He lives with his family in Dorset.

Doors will open at 7:00 for a 7:30 start time.

CookingWithWritersLogoThis is the inaugural event for Cooking with Writers.

Aug
11
Fri
Cooking with Yemisi Aribisala – ‘Longthroat Memoirs: Soups, Sex and Nigerian Taste Buds’
Aug 11 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

yemisi-aribisala-longthroat-memoirs-e1475719415341Yemisi Aribisala’s only London event appearance this year. 

Winner of the John Avery Award at the André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards 2016.

‘As well as a mouth-watering appraisal of the cultural politics and erotics of Nigerian cuisine, it is also a series of love letters to the Nigerian palate.’ – Brittle Paper

Every so often a book comes along that defies categorization. Longthroat Memoirs is one of these.  Part straight cookbook, part cultural history, part travelogue, part intimate confessional’ – Marta Maretich

‘a collection of words that send signals to the brain and create sensations, love, nostalgia, hunger. The food isn’t in front of you, but you are forced to engage an image of it and respond to it.’ – Yemisi Aribisala 

As Yemisi Aribisala leads us down streets and into restaurants throughout Nigeria, in her book, she will take us on adventure during the Supperclub.

thumbnail_yemisi-620x917The evening will include a talk and a variety of food from the book’s recipes. Join us for an evening of talk, food and drink with the author, whose writing is praised for the surprises it reveals.

‘Longthroat Memoirs: Soups, Sex and Nigerian Taste Buds’ combines essays and nostalgia with recipes. Yemisi opens up the power of Nigerian food to the reader, revealing the dishes cultural significance through writing on their history. She uncovers stories of people who grew corn in silence for fear of harming the crop with bad words, an instinct born from how words nourish families and others in life.

Oct
4
Wed
Cooking with Monika Linton of Brindisa: The True Food of Spain
Oct 4 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

brindisa-spanish-food-gifts_3519_1Cooking with Monika Linton – Brindsa: The True Food of Spain will be bringing all the elements of Brindisa hospitality to our family table at Book and Kitchen for oe our last events before leaving our Notting Hill location. The event is in part to celebrate the publication of the new cookbook and guests to our event will enjoy not only the food but the stories behind the seasonal food of Spain at this time of year. The cost of the ticket will include delicious food from Alicante, a copy of the cookbook and a welcome drink.

The company ‘Brindisa’ comes from the word ‘brindis’, to raise one’s glass in a toast, and the work they have done over the past 29 years has been to toast and celebrate the varied cultures, landscapes and, above all the exceptional foods of Spain.

In essence, the business is a tribute to the people who create the remarkable cheeses, hams, meats, fish, and a huge selection of other ingredients that are now enjoyed in the UK.

Monika2_4Nov_4193_1It is hard to imagine now but, back in 1988 when the business was founded by Monika Linton, knowledge of Spanish gastronomy was almost non-existent in the UK. Starting with a conviction that the foods she loved in Spain deserved to find a wider audience, Monika launched her company on a shoestring.

Monika didn’t just want to sell Spanish products; she wanted to export the Spanish way of eating to the UK. So, in 2004 she moved from warehouse to table with the opening of their first restaurant, ‘Tapas Brindisa‘, in Borough Market. Since then the company has opened five tapas bars and restaurants across the capital; becoming the home of authentic Spanish food in London.

Brindisa pride themselves on the fact that even though it may be a big red bus that passes their windows, they offer  guests a genuine experience of the fantastic food and hospitality of Spain.

 MG_9449-1Menu for the evening: An alicantina dinner – recipes from Alicante region

  • Empanadillas de Espinacas – mini spinach pasties
  • Caldoso de Alcachofas – soupy rice with artichokes, cuttlefish and prawns
  • Torta de Almendra – airy almond cake