Join me on book tour Online & in London
Two fantastic author talks this week. In conversation with Felicity Cloake & Yemisi Aribisala.
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Africana has been out in the world for a few weeks and what a mindblowing few weeks it has been! It still feels very fresh to me, like my cookbook just came out yesterday. It has been a wonderful mix of emotions, with amazing reviews and so much love and support from you and the public. I have met so many wonderful people, cooked in grande gardens and bookstores, appeared on the news, and a spice girl ate three of my dishes from Africana live on Channel 4 Sunday Brunch. The book hit the bestseller list on Amazon in several categories including the History of Food, African History & African Food. Africana was named book of the week in Waitrose Weekend, and we made it onto Diana Henry’s most coveted Best Books of 2022 list in the Telegraph! (If that link is paywalled click here to see it) I thoroughly enjoyed writing this piece published in the National Geographic Traveller Magazine, featuring my must-try Nigerian dishes and staple ingredients such as the African Blue Basil which is well featured across the book. Although things have been happening far too quickly for me to write to you, some of you have written to me, many have bought the book and I thank you so much for your support.
“Outstanding new book that will wake up your taste buds.” Delicious Magazine
“Leaf through Africana and you’ll be sticking Post-it notes everywhere…There isn’t a dish I don’t want to cook.” Diana Henry, The Saturday Telegraph.
Much too much to list out here and all in less than a month. All this and more while travelling up and down the country. The most heartwarming of all is seeing your posts and messages about the book, your love, and your excitement at merely looking at the recipes and many of you have started cooking, from Bermuda to Scotland. Yes, some of you ordered Africana to Bermuda, Canada and beyond. You have found it in Germany, Ireland, it is everywhere or can be sent anywhere as you will find out below. Please keep sharing your photos as I love to see them.
There is so much to each story and I cannot wait to share them all with you. Soon we will be back to cooking, stirring slowly and sharing recipes and delicious adventures together. But for now here are some upcoming events that I think you will enjoy this week!
THIS WEEK ON AFRICANA BOOK TOUR
VIRTUAL
22nd October 2022, 6.30 pm BST (Tonight & available to watch for 7 days only)
A Night In With Lerato, in conversation with Felicity Cloake - Fane Online
Meeting Felicity was such fun and I cannot wait for you to stream our cracking chat about everything from my obsession with plantains (with an entire section devoted to this veg in Africana|) to the fight for the best jollof (the best being in Africana of course - haha) We talked about my dream for African stories and recipes to be better represented in mainstream media, the adaptability and seasonality of African cooking and much more. Felicity is witty and her fantastic ‘How to series’ in the Guardian have been a must read for many and for so long. Having her support for Africana has been just wonderful. If you haven’t already signed up, click below and head over to ‘REGISTER’ for FREE streaming or choose the BOOK & STREAM to have this fabulous red & gold edition delivered to any UK and international address. Take note USA friends!
LONDON
Tuesday, 25th October 2022
Lerato in conversation with Yemisi Aribisala
I love nothing more than meeting people face-to-face, and chatting away about food! And so I am thrilled to be hosted by Daunt Books in Marylebone, one of the most beautiful bookshops you will ever experience (grande and just so enchanting) for an ‘In Conversation’ event with Yemisi Aribisala, a fellow Nigeria and award-winning author of the tantalizing Long Throat Memoirs as we celebrate African cooking with a deep dive into Africana. I have secured plantain chips for guests and tickets will also include wine and refreshments. This is going to be such a treat that you will not want to miss it! See you in London.
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