The Writer’s Banquet: The Writer’s Kitchen
Hosted by Radio National’s Ramona Koval and the first in The Book Show’s series of The Writer’s Banquet sessions, The Writer’s Kitchen traces the links between writers, writing and food.
Toni Jordan, Morris Gleitzman and Andrea Goldsmith, three writers not self-evidently of a culinary persuasion, explore their own connection with food and cooking, reflecting on what tickles their tastebuds and uncovering the key ingredients that make it easy to eat their words.
Gleitzman comes dangerously (and hilariously) close to admitting that his key ingredients are cats and dogs, though he insists his resistance to following recipes clears him of that particular suggestion. Meanwhile, it’s the lure of a secret lover which makes Goldsmith’s mother late for dinner, while Jordan’s father is similarly late to dine — for reasons not dissimilar.
Elsewhere, the writers share the books and hand-me-down recipes that have guided them in the kitchen as well as the snacks that refresh them at (or away from) the writing desk. And they ponder the relationships between food, eating, reading and writing.
Who?
Andrea Goldsmith
One of Australia’s best loved novelists, Andrea Goldsmith has been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award. Her latest novel is The Memory Trap, winner of the 2015 Melbourne Prize.
Ramona Koval
Ramona Koval is a writer, journalist, broadcaster and editor. She is an Honorary Fellow at the centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne.
Toni Jordan
Toni Jordan is the author of four novels. The international bestseller Addition (2008) was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick, and was longlisted for the Miles Franklin award. Fall Girl (2010) was published internationally and has been optioned for film, while Nine Days (2012) was awarded Best Fiction at the 2012 Indie Awards, shortlisted for the ABIA Best General Fiction award and named in Kirkus Review’s Top 10 Historical Novels of 2013. Her latest novel is Our Tiny, Useless Hearts (2016). Toni has been published widely in newspapers and magazines.
Morris Gleitzman
Morris Gleitzman is a bestselling Australian children’s author. His books explore serious and sometimes confronting subjects in humorous and unexpected ways. His titles include Two Weeks With The Queen, Grace, Doubting Thomas, Bumface, Give Peas A Chance, Extra Time, Loyal Creatures and the series Once, Then, Now, After and Soon.
