Of Butlers and Baking
It's been a while since your faithful blogger has checked in with a fresh report. But never fear, dear reader, I have been working diligently on your behalf. My social calendar has been chocked full of all things Books to Cooks - satisfying my appetite for both the literary and culinary while necessarily compelling me to adjust my overtaxed belt one notch forward.
Recently, I took my niece - an avid baker - to a baking extravaganza hosted by chef Adrienne O'Callaghan. Books to Cooks regulars will be familiar with Adrienne's extraordinary baking skills. The evening - based on recipes from Dahlia Bakery by Tom Douglas - featured a number of desserts made famous by the popular Seattle bakery. Personal favourites included their Triple Coconut Cream Pie - so good it made my toes curl - and a peanut butter sandwich cookie named in honour of one of my favourite writers, Nora Ephron. My niece and I left with the opinion that Adrienne is the rolling pin equivalent of a rock star.
Next, I attended an event at the Vancouver Club that was conceived and created by our own Barbara-jo. Co-sponsored by Books to Cooks and the Vancouver Club, the event served as a most elegant book launch for The Butler Speaks. A handbook on classic etiquette by professional butler Charles MacPherson. The theme of the evening? A tribute to the popular British television series Downton Abbey. Guests - decked out in their best drawing room finery - were treated to black tie service and enough cutlery to keep Jeeves polishing for a week. Not to mention a sumptuous five-course menu topped off by the flaming splendour of Cherries Jubilee.
The last stop on my social surge? Afternoon tea at the shop to attend the launch of Janet E. Cameron's first novel, Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World. The event included a spirited reading by the author, who offered a memorable glimpse into the writer's life. The menu was prepared by Mark - the shop's resident tea expert - who served up a plate of wickedly good cinnamon toast. Who could ask for anything more?
It's been a while since your faithful blogger has checked in with a fresh report. But never fear, dear reader, I have been working diligently on your behalf. My social calendar has been chocked full of all things Books to Cooks - satisfying my appetite for both the literary and culinary while necessarily compelling me to adjust my overtaxed belt one notch forward.
Recently, I took my niece - an avid baker - to a baking extravaganza hosted by chef Adrienne O'Callaghan. Books to Cooks regulars will be familiar with Adrienne's extraordinary baking skills. The evening - based on recipes from Dahlia Bakery by Tom Douglas - featured a number of desserts made famous by the popular Seattle bakery. Personal favourites included their Triple Coconut Cream Pie - so good it made my toes curl - and a peanut butter sandwich cookie named in honour of one of my favourite writers, Nora Ephron. My niece and I left with the opinion that Adrienne is the rolling pin equivalent of a rock star.
Next, I attended an event at the Vancouver Club that was conceived and created by our own Barbara-jo. Co-sponsored by Books to Cooks and the Vancouver Club, the event served as a most elegant book launch for The Butler Speaks. A handbook on classic etiquette by professional butler Charles MacPherson. The theme of the evening? A tribute to the popular British television series Downton Abbey. Guests - decked out in their best drawing room finery - were treated to black tie service and enough cutlery to keep Jeeves polishing for a week. Not to mention a sumptuous five-course menu topped off by the flaming splendour of Cherries Jubilee.
The last stop on my social surge? Afternoon tea at the shop to attend the launch of Janet E. Cameron's first novel, Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World. The event included a spirited reading by the author, who offered a memorable glimpse into the writer's life. The menu was prepared by Mark - the shop's resident tea expert - who served up a plate of wickedly good cinnamon toast. Who could ask for anything more?