Students in the Editing Practicum course at the University of Windsor are hosting a pasta dinner on Saturday to raise funds toward the publication and launch of The Poet's Cookbook.
By Lindsay Charlton
Combining literature with the culinary arts, students in this year’s Editing and Publishing Practicum courses are crafting The Poet’s Cookbook, the inaugural publication of the independent publisher Conspiracy Press.
“The Poet's Cookbook functions as an attempt to bring a human element into writing,” said English and creative writing student Regis Bogahalanda.
“It acts as an examination of authors with vastly different backgrounds and experiences trying to match things that aren't usually combined, literature and cooking — think of it as the literary aspect being the mind, while the culinary aspect represents the body.”
Students in the course are hosting a Poet’s Pasta Dinner on Saturday, Nov. 22 to support the publication and spring launch of the cookbook. The community-focused evening will celebrate food, creativity and local talent, and will include live readings from poets featured in the book.
“The excitement of working in the practicum with real authors, real professionals in the editing and publishing industry, plus creating such a unique landmark piece for Windsor's literary culture, is such an incredible opportunity that I cannot properly articulate,” Bogahalanda said.
The two practicum courses span seven months and engage students in preparing a book for publication — creating, editing, marketing and designing the work to get it ready for print.
Describing the concept as special and creative, Bogahalanda said the book includes recipes from the City of Windsor’s poet laureate and from the head chef for the Montreal Canadiens in one work.
“What the editing practicum is creating, editing, marketing and designing is a sight to behold that won't be found anywhere else, and that alone should speak for itself,” he added.
The book will be the first published under Conspiracy Press, founded by University of Windsor professor and course instructor André Narbonne, adding even more enthusiasm to the project for the students working on it.
“If it's not because we're working on the beginning of an incredible new Windsor-based press, we are passionate about this project because of its unique nature — how many books do you know combine literature with the culinary arts?” Bogahalanda said.
All proceeds from the Poet’s Pasta Dinner will support the book’s publication and launch. Diners can enjoy pasta, poetry and a free raffle with prizes. The dinner will take place Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Giovanni Caboto Club at 2175 Parent Ave. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.ca