CULINARY ADVENTURES IN MARRAKECH
Peta Mathias
Penguin Books - $50


Where does the irrepressible Peta Mathias, my favourite redhead, get all that energy from? Last week she was working in Paris and now she is back in New Zealand with visits in the next week to Wanaka, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Auckland promoting her gorgeous new book which is based on the six-part television series Peta Unplugged in Marrakech currently screening Tuesday @ 7.30pm on Prime TV.

The stunning book and gorgeous TV series takes us to one of the most fascinating destinations in the world. I spent a week there once a few years back celebrating a friend's 50th birthday and the book and tv series make me want to jump on a plane and go right back, preferably in the company of Peta Mathias who clearly has got to know the place and the cuisine so well. And of course her fluent French is also a bonus.

I wake up in the morning and throw the shutters open. It’s dawn and the first prayers of the day have just hurled over the rooftops of Marrakech. Breakfast is home-made jam, honey, tea, freshly squeezed orange juice and a basketful of freshly baked, still-warm breads — m’lawi, flat bread, pancake and croissant.

With this Peta begins her culinary adventures in  what must surely be one of the most exotic locations on earth, in a book that you will not want to put down as you wile away hours dreaming of all things Moroccan.

 In a culture of luxury, cooks must fly to the limits of their creative abilities. Morocco has a clear culture of food and Moroccans see the world in quite a different set of colours before a good meal than they do after. Not all countries are like this. Not all countries breathe and celebrate their food as an integral part of their culture. Traditional dishes are the product of collective genius. No individual Moroccan invents a dish; dishes are invented by everyone, owned by everyone and can’t be reinvented.  To understand the importance of Moroccan food, you need to delve into the country’s history and changing cultural make-up.

From the beautiful and eccentric Hôtel du Trésor and the souk at Ait Ourir, to the traditional home kitchen of Mohamed and Latifa and the exquisite cafes and pattiseries in the medina, Culinary Adventures in Marrakech takes the reader on a journey to discover the food, people and atmosphere that defines Marrakech.

And of course while this is a  fine travel book it also doubles as a cookbook because there is much about food in the book and it includes some 50 or so recipes which handily have their own separate index at the back of the book in addition to the very comprehensive general index Well done author and publishers.

Here are Peta's New Zealand tour details although as you will see most of the events have already sold out which doesn't surprise me, this woman is a wonderfully entertaining and articulate presenter as well as of course being something of a human dynamo. 
Autographed copies of the book may still be obtained from the booksellers concerned with each event even if the event itself is sold out so contact the bookseller if you are after a signed copy.

WANAKA: Sunday 8 August @ 4.00pm (SOLD OUT)
In association with Jumping Tangents
The Venue, cnr Cardrona Valley & Orchard Road, Wanaka
Tickets: $29.00 (includes a complimentary glass of champagne)
Available from Jumping Tangents on 0800 586786 or go to www.jumpingtangents.co.nz

CHRISTCHURCH: Monday 9 August @ 7.30pm  (SOLD OUT)
In association with Women on Air & Scorpio Bookshop
Grand Chancellor Hotel, 116 Cashel St, Christchurch
Tickets: $15 (a cash bar will be available)
Available from Scorpio Books 79 Hereford St, enquiry@scorpiobooks.co.nz or
by phoning Ruth 03-384 4721 or Morrin 03-329 9789

NELSON: Tuesday 10 August @ 5.30pm (for 6.00pm start)
In association with Nelson ARK, The Margot Foundation & Paper Plus
Maitai Room, The Rutherford Hotel, Trafalgar Square, Nelson
Tickets: $28 plus $2 booking fee (includes hors d’oeuvres – cash bar)
Available from Everyman Records, 249 Hardy Street 03-548 3083

WELLINGTON: Wednesday 11 August @ 6.30pm  (SOLD OUT)
In association with The Dominion Post & Whitcoulls Lambton Quay
Duxton Hotel, 170 Wakefield St, Wellington
Tickets: $20.00 (includes a glass of wine/beer/juice)
Available from The Dominion Post, 40 Boulcott St, Wellington or by
phoning 0800 50 50 90.  Please note tickets are not on sale until 15 July.

PALMERSTON NORTH: Thursday 12 August @ 7.00pm  (SOLD OUT)
In association with Palmerston North City Library & Whitcoulls
Palmerston North Convention Centre, 354 Main Street
Tickets: $5.00
Available from Palmerston North City Library
06-351 4519 or promotions@pncc.govt.nz

NEW PLYMOUTH: Friday 13 August @ 5.30pm
In association with Benny’s Books
Devon Hotel, 390 Devon St East, New Plymouth
Tickets $10.00 (includes wine and nibbles)
Available from Benny’s Books 06-759 4350 or info@bennysbooks.co.nz

AUCKLAND: Sunday 15 August @ 2.00pm  (SOLD OUT)
The Sunday Star-Times Literary High Tea
in association with Whitcoulls
The Grand Tea Room, The Heritage Auckland, Hobson St
Tickets: $50.00 (special subscriber price — account number is required to qualify)
$60.00 (non-subscribers) $500.00 (table of 10).


Whew, The Bookman reckons she'll need a lie down and a cup of tea or two at the end of that tour.