Ladies a Plate by Alexa Johnston

I have always known that Kiwis are really clever people - that good old No.8 wire attitude, the way we make the most out of whatever is available and grab on to opportunities in life.

This is how I see Alexa Johnston. She is, quite simply, an inspiration. Not only does she have a Masters in Art History, and about 20 years as a professional Curator, she has provided us with three fabulous books celebrating New Zealand's culinary history. By taking her hobby, baking, and utilising her skills and knowledge as writer and historian she has made them more than just recipe books; they are a slice of New Zealand history.

Ladies, a Plate (2008) was followed by A Second Helping (2009) and What's For Pudding? (2011). A beautiful hardback collectors' edition of her baking recipes is also available, Ladies, a Plate: The Collection (2012).

These books are not only a joy to read and use, they bring alive the childhood memories many New Zealander's have; the smells wafting from the kitchen when your mum or nana was doing the weekly baking, the simple yet messy joy of licking the bowl, that first taste of a warm cookie  (or perhaps the sting of the wooden spoon on knuckles if you didn't ask first), the pride of baking your first cake...

Hmm, yummy...

Posted by Cookie Fan

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Ladies a plate by Alexa Johnston

Alexa will be in Hawke's Bay June 14-15 for the Hawke's Bay Readers and Writers Festival