A Cook’s Life (Stephanie Alexander, Lantern)

For many Australians, Stephanie Alexander is a household name synonymous with her bestselling foodie’s bible, The Cook’s Companion. In her long and distinguished career, she has been an outspoken champion of quality Australian produce and the value of good food in our lives. But we meet a much more private Alexander in her memoir. Growing up in Rosebud, where her parents ran a caravan park, Alexander’s childhood was shaped by her mother’s love of food and her father’s passion for books. Her parents were both incredibly hard workers, and this must have had some influence on Alexander’s own indefatigable spirit. It was her incredible drive and pace that saw Alexander, newlywed and also a new mother, open her first restaurant, Jamaica House. Eight years later she opened Stephanie’s Restaurant, which quickly established itself as one of Melbourne’s finest. Again, the breakneck speed with which she juggled motherhood, marriage and the all-consuming task of running the restaurant is testament to her energy and ambition. After 21 years, Stephanie’s closed but Alexander’s vision for new projects, columns and cookbooks, as well as her inspiring Kitchen Garden Foundation, show how dedicated she is to food in Australia. This is an engaging read for foodies and fans alike, and a perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Sarina Gale is a freelance writer and bookseller at the Sun Bookshop in Yarraville

Tags: nonfiction

Category: Reviews