Thanks to the brilliant folk at Paperchain Bookstore Manuka and Her Canberra, 60 of the Capital’s most eager foodies recently gathered at uber-cool Ainslie Restaurant, Pulp Kitchen, to share lunch and stories with author Tessa Kiros at this limited ticket event.

Kiros, author of the stunning “Apples for Jam”, “Falling Cloudberries” and “Twelve” amongst others, was in Australia to launch her latest work, the delightfully nostalgic and feminine, “Limoncello and Linen Water”.

Like all her books, Limoncello and Linen Water is a visually stunning collection of recipes with a focus on the family matriarch; in this case, her mother-in-law, Wilma.

Unlike any other cookbook writer, Tessa is able to invoke a sensory experience when you open her books; they exude warmth, feeling and become like a friend in your kitchen.  Not many cookbooks find their way to your bedside table as your night reading of choice!

A small flight delay saw the guest of honour running a little late, but sitting in the warmth of the spring day, we were all enjoying the champagne and conversation; all centred, of course, around Tessa, her books, her food and why we love her so!

Tessa made her way out of her taxi and to the restaurant looking nothing like a woman who had just been sitting in a hot aeroplane delayed on the tarmac for 40 minutes.  She simply exuded grace.  Dressed in a classic black shirt dress, silk scarf, amazing red shoes and classically perfect Prada sunglasses she had that effortless chic that would have taken me hours to pull together!

Very much a ‘conversation’ with the author, we were encouraged to ask Tessa our questions and get to know a little more about who she is and how her stunning books are put together.

We heard of the story behind Limoncello and Linen Water, her love of travel, “I could quite happily live out of a suitcase. I get such a sense of excitement when I land in a new place”, a little about her journey into the world of cookbooks, (she self published her first book) and about her amazing styling team who were paid “with friendship”.

We made our way indoors and soon the pleasant din of conversation filled the restaurant as the wine flowed and the food was lovingly placed before us.

And what spectacular food it was!  The menu was simple, as the best food always is, and absolutely delicious!  Each menu item had the corresponding page in the book where the recipe is featured and I’m sure there will be many attempts at re-creating the fare!

Entrée was “Prawns with Lardo and Insalata di Campo (pg 240)”, simple prawns wrapped in lardo (yes, lard!) with a fresh side salad.  I figure at a cookbook launch, all thoughts of calories get thrown out the window!  Surprisingly light and fresh, it was the perfect start to the meal.

As the entrée dishes were cleared, the main course was being plated, “Arista with Rosemary and Sage Salt (pg 220) with Sautéed Artichokes and potatoes (pg 107).  I admit to being not the most avid of pork eaters, but this may well be the dish that converts me.  Again, it was the quality of the meat, the freshness of the herbs and the uncomplicated flavours of the vegetable sides that made the meal shine.

What shone was the simplicity.  These were recipes taken from the family tables of Wilma and other women who have been a part of Tessa’s life.  This was not fancy, restaurant styled food.  It was home food.  Extremely good home food.  None of the meals were threatening in their content and easy to imagine incorporating them our repertoires!

The dessert, “Mascarpone and Lavender Ice Cream (pg 308)”, was the kind of combination of flavours that evokes a facial expression and noise that can only be described as ‘orgasmic’.  You know the face I mean!

Tessa was incredibly generous with her time, sitting in the warm sun of the early afternoon happily signing books and chatting with the guests about their favourite foods.

Fittingly, we finished with a wee glass of Limoncello (pg 17); fragrant and lemony in its perfection but what a punch it packed!  Many a flush rose to the cheeks of the lunch guests as we prepared to depart.

Meeting Tessa was an absolute delight.  She is authentic in her love of her books and her interest in what we had to say.  Even if she had heard a question a million times, her answers sounded far from rote.

There’s something so inspiring sitting and listening to a woman with passion; for travel, for food, for her family.  It is heartening to listen to a woman speak of the importance of giving her children a sense of tradition and heritage, yet giving them wings to freely explore the world around them.  And to hear her speak of joy; joy in what has to be done, and how women like Wilma did it, without complaint.

Above all, this new book is a tribute to Wilma.  The first recipe is how to fold your sheets the Wilma way! (Beautifully bound with a different coloured ribbon, depending on the size of the bed you need to dress.  A world away from the ‘roll and shove’ method I adhere to!).  It is a family history in the form of recipes and words of wisdom that are a gift to the descendants of Wilma, and lovingly shared with us in the books pages.

Time travels so quickly on days like this, I’m sure we all would have loved to linger longer over the limoncello and hear more about Wilma and her ways.  Her ribbons and colours. I would have loved to have spoken more with Tessa about the words of wisdom from the pages of the book that all women, all mothers can relate to and implement in their own lives.

Domestic work is necessary.  It needn’t be an eyesore.  Beauty comes in many forms, even in the day to day routine of caring for a house and family.  I’m off to find some suitably beautiful ribbon for my sheets and some lard to wrap around my prawns…..Tessa style.

“Limoncello and Linen Water” by Tessa Kiros is available at Paperchain Bookstore, 34 Franklin Street Manuka, 6295 6723.