Sofra…a collection of recipes alongside stories, culture and community
Hello everyone,
I’m delighted to invite you to join me, alongside new authors KARIMA and SIVINE of SUNDAY KITCHEN to celebrate their just released book SOFRA on the afternoon of SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER.
And a celebration it promises to be! Some of you attended the wonderful Feast on a Journey through Lebanon here in early March, with this energetic and beyond generous mother/daughter duo, who have taken sharing the joy of their culture, by way of storytelling via food, to a whole new level.
In March, the book was all but in the bag, with only loose ends to tie up: the writing of it, the cooking for it, the photographing of it (captured by Luisa Brimble so of course it is simply glorious) were behind them; whilst the dream of launching their labour of love (for it truly is) was still just that: a long held pipe-dream. I had the enormous privilege of attending the launch of SOFRA at the Art Gallery of New South Wales last Saturday…amidst a groundswell of support, not just from Sydney’s Lebanese diaspora, but celebrated chefs and loyal followers of these two women who are fiercely devoted to each other, their family and all who are lucky enough to find themselves in their realm.
When asked by one attendee her inspiration to write, Karima’s answer was that she “simply wanted to bottle her Mum’s magic in a book”. Alongside the significant “we need to document our recipes, they belong to us”. How lucky for us, that they also want to share them with the world!
On Saturday 19th, I’ll do my best to keep Karima and Sivine on track during a Conversation (which is bound to go completely off piste as keeping these two in line is almost impossible!). I’ve no doubt there will be as many morsels to collect during that conversation as there will be on the groaning table – from where you can fill your plates with delicious, mouthwatering combinations made with love, from SOFRA. There will be traditional music from Gaza, and hopefully the weather will be kind and you can roam the spring garden in the lengthened afternoon light (daylight saving kicks in the week before and that particular week, from a garden perspective, is generally the most magical of the year).
SOFRA meaning: Food on a cloth, the company at table…a table prepared or set for eating, implying generosity and hospitality.
All of these will be in plentiful evidence, during what I anticipate will be a glorious Saturday afternoon! How Karima, Sivine and I hope you will join us. All the details and the booking form are here.
With warm wishes
Mickey
