29 November, 6-8pm
Craft Victoria, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Images (L-R): Printing of COOKBOOK north/south, photography: Dave Carswell

Chefs, artists and writers interpret their favourite Melbourne suburb in hand printed cookbook.

Craft Victoria is hosting the launch of not-for-profit COOKBOOK north/south. This unique, unbound publication has been letterpress printed by hand in a limited edition of 500. It features an inquisitive exploration of ten Melbourne suburbs via recipes, original artwork and short stories. Facilitated by the designers at Wolfgang, Shlomo & Max, this collaborative project is a platform for Melbourne’s chefs, artists and writers to personally and creatively interpret their city.

COOKBOOK north/south’s eclectic array of contributors give life to this humble publication. From Andrew McConnell’s tales of stealing fresh figs in the back alleys of Fitzroy, to Robert Castellani‘s description of his mother’s famed Ragu, their voices fill the pages with charm and localised eloquence. Contributors were asked to find inspiration in their suburb and creatively interpret their surroundings.

Whether internationally renowned or local gems, chefs were chosen via suburb research, word of mouth and SecondBite recommendations. The result is a colourful group of chefs whose delicious recipes sit alongside artwork and short stories by established and emerging local talent.

Each of COOKBOOK north/south’s ten suburb-inspired chapters feature a lino-cut artwork, short story and three recipes. A unique collection of letterpress forms, typography and colour create the visual identity for each suburb chapter. An unbound publication, COOKBOOK north/south comprises of hand printed individual cards, first offset and then letterpress printed at the Melbourne Museum of Printing.

COOKBOOK north/south retails for $100 with all proceeds going to SecondBite, a not for profit organisation committed to the redistribution of surplus food to those experiencing hardship within the community.

More at Craft Victoria here