The Kitchen Bookshelf - Newsletter #12
- Melissa Hemsley giveaway; looking for ideas for August; and (maybe) a cookbook swap-shop
Hello everyone - As I write this the sun is shining and I am on my way back from interviewing Melissa Hemsley in Dorset for the publication of her new book, Real Healthy - Unprocess Your Diet With Easy Everyday Recipes. So it’s all feeling pretty good. Melissa is a treat to spend time with IRL or in the pages of her books. If you are interested in her latest I have a copy to giveaway at the end of this newsletter.
Speaking of seeing people IRL… I’m so looking forward to our in-person event in London on 30th July with Rachel Roddy. Tickets £5 (redeemable against a book purchase) to paid subscribers who can bring a friend by buying another £5 ticket for them too.
Our in-conversation is the precursor to that night’s performance at Opera Holland Park and OHP offered us a ticket discount code. I am aware there have been some, let’s say…. snaggles about using the code. The snaggles are now smoothed out. If you would like to stay for the show after the talk - and it has been getting wonderful reviews since opening the other night - then you can get tickets for £40 in the B-D price bands using the code DB40 at checkout. I have everything crossed for smooth running here on in…
We had a virtual event early morning last Sunday that was complete joy. Next up virtually is 7pm BST on Friday 26 July to discuss Anna Del Conte’s Amaretto, Apple Cake and Artichokes.
And then as we move out of July and the month’s theme of all things Italy, August of course looms. And it needs a theme! So I am here for your suggestions of a cookbook or cookbook writer or cookbook theme for us to do in August. I’ve toyed with perhaps thinking about cooking with flowers, or focusing on Elizabeth David’s Summer Cooking…. but I can’t settle on what to do. All ideas appreciated! Just send me a message.
Merry weekends, all. I hope you can enjoy some sunshine.
Angela x
COOKBOOK CLUB - continuing our theme for the month: Italy.
On Sunday just gone we had our virtual meet-up to share ideas, thoughts and recommendations about books we love on all aspects of Italian food, cookery and food culture. A few us had made Rachel Roddy’s maritozzi to have with our coffee and conversation (they are seriously good - I’ve added on that page some pics of mine).
I absolutely love that these meet-ups can become the place for wide-reaching cookbook discussion that crosses regionality, food and geo-politics, authenticity and globalisation; but then mention of the Tiramisu World Cup fits in too. It was a great start to my day and I hope the same for everyone who joined in. The event page has been updated with the recording of the event and list of books discussed.
All eyes now on this month’s single cookbook club pick: Amaretto, Apple Cake and Artichokes - The Best of Anna Del Conte. There are a few places still left for any paid subscribers who’d like to come along.
Our next meet-ups:
More from Cookbook Club: an evolving roll-call of my favourite Italian cookbooks & writers
THIS WEEK’S PAID SUBSCRIBER NEWSLETTER FEATURE:
More from New Writing / Recipes - Deep-fried dill pickles; Why the best people poach chickens
RECENTLY ELSEWHERE ON THE KITCHEN BOOKSHELF
MENTORING - Cookbook mentoring
IN SEASONING - A peek inside summer with Seasoning; Seasoning dinner at Kino in Leeds
ODDS & ENDS
Odd scraps of cookbook news etc that don’t really fit elsewhere
I am thinking of launching a cookbook swap-shop here. I hear so often that people have *too* many cookbooks but are still drawn to others. Can there ever really be too many or even enough?! Space is a big issue, of course. But how about if we could swap with each other? This may be a bad / mad idea…. But it might not be. Let me know if you think you might find it interesting.
It ends
It was my total joy to be asked by
of The Kitchen Table in Shaftesbury, Dorset to head back there this week to interview about her new book, Real Healthy - Unprocess Your Diet With Easy Everyday Recipes. I adore this independent bookshop and adore Melissa, so it was a no-brainer to say yes to.The book is just great for anyone looking to eat fewer UPFs - Melissa makes it all seem very easy, accessible and delicious. Real Healthy is really striking a chord: this weekend it will be number 3 in the Sunday Times bestseller list.
I have a copy of Real Healthy by Melissa Hemsley (RRP £26) to give away to a paid subscriber / upgrader. If you would like a chance for the book then send me a message by noon BST on Saturday 20th July. I’ll pick a name out of a hat after then and will post the book out for free anywhere in the UK.
Ax