Bloomsbury to publish Polpo cookbook
04.08.10 | Benedicte Page in The Bookseller

Bloomsbury senior commissioning editor Richard Atkinson has bought world rights in a cookbook from Soho restaurant Polpo.
 
The acquisition was conducted via Cathryn Summerhayes and Eugenie Furniss at WME Entertainment, in what was described as a "hotly contested" auction.

Polpo, opened by Russell Norman in Beak Street last year, was inspired by Venetian bacari (back-street taverns serving snacks and small plates) and the book is said to be "a taste of real Venice, with 120 delicious recipes reflecting the seasonal food of that city."
Atkinson said: "At Bloomsbury we’re huge fans of Polpo, which is almost on our doorstep, so we were thrilled to be offered the chance to publish the book.

"It’s one of those rare restaurants where the food and the atmosphere are both pitch-perfect, and you feel as if you’re on holiday the moment you step through the door."

Polpo will be published in spring 2012.