EXPO about my book

Come to Antwerp during the Christmas break and see centuries-old cookery books and waffle irons...

One week to go until the doors open of the exhibition I curated about the historical research for my book ‘Dark Rye and Honey Cake’ (Van Wafel tot Koek) - Festival baking from Belgium, the heart of the Low Countries. Those of you who follow me on Instagram have already seen some sneak peeks when I was busy building the exhibition. I also posted a video today!

Come to Antwerp’s hidden gem that is the library hall of the heritage library Hendrik Conscience and witness the magic of centuries-old handwritten cookery manuscripts and the first cookbooks, along with some of my collection of antique waffle irons and gingerbread moulds (koekplanken).

The expo “Van wafel tot koek” named after my book, shows part of the research I did for the book in the Heritage library Hendrik Conscience. I was invited by the library to act as curator for this exhibition and am very grateful to them for showing my work in the stunning Nottebohmzaal, surrounded by ancient books and the perfume they provide. Even the Library, which is never freely open to the public except for exhibitions, is worth a visit alone!

My books are always about preserving a heritage and looking at the past, at history, to learn how and why we do what we do, and eat what we eat. Food is connected to everything, to religion to politics, yes even to climate change and economics. The research for this book took many years and has not been straightforward. That is why the Heritage Library thought it would be great to show an insight into my work and, with it, exhibit books and texts that haven’t been shown to the public, ever.

Exclusively for my Substack subscribers, I have five spots for the festive opening of the Expo later this week. All you need to do is email me! And do it quick! Remember you need to be able to be in Antwerp on a weeknight this week at around 18:30h.

Info

The exhibition runs from the 23th of december up until 7 januari.

A limited number of Dutch editions (Van wafel tot koek) will be available to buy. If they run out you can visit the bookstores I mention below who will have ample signed stock of books.

Tickets and timeslots can be viewed online at consciencebibliotheek.be

If you like what I do

Please consider to leave a few words about my book(s) on Amazon and any site (Like Bol for Dutch people) you use that welcomes reviews. Amazon reviews help the book a lot (it’s all about algorithms these days).

Signed books

I’ve written 6 books: my main ones are ‘Pride and Pudding’, ‘Oats in the North - Wheat from the South’ and ‘Dark Rye and Honey Cake’.

I suspect the copies I’ve signed on my American book tour are all sold out but it is worth to check anyways: Omnivore Books in SF, Book Larder in Seattle and Now Serving in LA. The Antwerp bookstore Luddites has currently got a few English copies of my books signed.

For Dutch signed books, visit online and instore Luddites books & wine and Stad Leest (from Wednesday, as their stock comes in then and I’m going over there to sign) Always worth double checking if the books are signed.

Note to bookstore owners: I am always happy to sign your books but I am unable to travel around several countries to spontaneously offer to sign - so get in touch if you would like signed books and we can work something out.