“Give me the sate sticks…”
This week’s episode got me thinking about librarians and food - which will come as no surprise to those that know me, since it’s hardly the first time I’ve been caught thinking about this topic - I am fondly proud of a sector that can boast such fabulous foodies as Stephanie Alexander and Gay Bilson (she of the edible tablecloth made of tripe for a gastronomy symposium) and Stephanie Alexander (who else but a school librarian could conceive of the indispensable Cook’s Companion?) as one-time practitioners. Then there was the Vatican librarian back in 1500-something who was responsible for the first cookbook to be printed simultaneously in three different languages.. is this the thread of history that has led to the tradition of ALIA members gathering in Italian restaurants? The ritual of gathering to share stories isn’t so different from the ritual of gathering to share food. Both would seem to be about sharing companionship and knowledge … hmmm. Sate, anyone?