Debut author, Paulette Whitney lives with her family on a pocket of land in the foothills of Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, south of Nipaluna/Hobart.

With her farmer/chef husband Matt, she grows seedlings, vegetables and seed crops. They make pickles and preserves and sell their harvest at Salamanca Market, nurturing rich relationships with herbalists, gardeners, chefs and botanists. Paulette's bespoke, hand reared, traditional and heritage produce is highly sought after by fine dining chefs throughout Australia.

Paulette will tell you that meeting plants is like making new friends. It takes time and, with a bit of care and good fortune, enriches both of you. Eventually, you end up in the kitchen together....

In Broccoli and Other Love Stories, Paulette shares the history and culture of more than 55 vegetables, fruits and herbs, informed by her own experiences, horticultural know-how, and kitchen wisdom together with her favourite seasonal recipes.

Eleven plant families, many well known, some less familiar - including their surprising connections, like how every single apple is, in fact, a cousin of the rose - are explored and demystified.

Richly photographed by chef/photographer Luke Burgess, and full of personal stories about a year on her farm, this is a lovely book connecting Australian readers and cooks with our local produce.

'Australia's answer to Jane Grigson and Elizabeth David.' Matthew Evans

'Paulette is a generous and natural storyteller. Here, at last, she shares her encyclopedic food plant knowledge with us all.' Kylie Kwong

For something different, on this occasion, Paulette will be in conversation with Pat Nourse, her close friend, and Creative Director of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

As usual we will be cooking from the book and serving up tastes.

Please join us on Wednesday 14th August for a wonderful intimate conversation between Paulette and Pat.

Tickets are limited.