University of Windsor students in the editing and publishing practicum course had their first look at the book they spent two semesters editing and publishing, The Poet's Cookbook, which will officially launch on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Courtesy of Regis Bogahalanda/ University of Windsor)
By Lindsay Charlton
The foods we make are often shaped by much more than flavour, carrying stories and sharp or sweet memories that linger long after the meal is over.
The Poet’s Cookbook, produced by the editing and publishing practicum course, brings together anecdotes and recipes from 21 writers, offering an intimate glimpse into their culinary lives.
“Before the course started, we picked whose work we wanted to edit,” said English and creative writing student Regis Bogahalanda.
“It was kind of like a blind date. We were given a document of all the recipes, and we picked one we liked, and we were assigned them and became their editor. It was a great way to get our foot in the door with these writers to be able to contact them and say, ‘I made your recipe.’”
Bogahalanda worked with poet and novelist Robert Hilles, who won the Governor General’s Award for Poetry for Cantos from a Small Room. He divides his time between Nanaimo, B.C., and Khon Kaen, Thailand, and contributed a Thai salad recipe alongside his poem.
University of Windsor students in the editing and publishing practicum course had their first look at the book they spent two semesters editing and publishing, The Poet's Cookbook, which will officially launch on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Courtesy of Regis Bogahalanda/ University of Windsor)
“He was incredible, so kind and very prompt in all of his remote responses,” Bogahalanda said.
Other authors featured in the book include Joyce Carol Oates, George Elliott Clarke and Molly Peacock, as well as Windsor-area contributors such as Renee D. Bondy, Marty Gervais and radio personality Dan MacDonald.
“We’ve also got a recipe from Moisés Palmeros, the head chef for the Montreal Canadiens, and his literature component is an interview he did about his work and how he collaborates with the team. It’s really cute,” Bogahalanda said.
The Poet’s Cookbook, published by Conspiracy Press, will be launched officially at Mackenzie Hall on Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m.
The practicum spans two semesters and sees fourth-year English students involved at every stage of the process, from editing contributors’ work to designing the book’s cover and helping get it into readers’ hands, under the guidance of Dr. Andre Narbonne, a professor at the University of Windsor and publisher of Conspiracy Press.
University of Windsor professor Dr. Andre Narbonne (right) with Marty Gervais (left), who appears in The Poet’s Cookbook as an author and previously ran the editing and publishing practicum course. (Courtesy of Regis Bogahalanda/University of Windsor)
“We’re doing it all,” Bogahalanda said. “I’m out here talking to journalists, we’re sending out emails, talking to people, putting on fundraisers and hosting our launch. We’re really excited about that because it’s usually a full house and we have food there, copies of the book and readings from a few of the authors — it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Students in the course have been working on the book since September and recently had the chance to see it in print when they unboxed the copies last week.
The cover is vibrant, and with each turn of the page comes that fresh-book scent, accompanied by a rich mix of recipes, reflections and illustrations.
“It was almost surreal,” Bogahalanda said of holding the book for the first time. “We saw a digital copy, and we were expecting them to look good, but it was so different actually holding them and looking through them.”
“I went through this manuscript so many times, and now in my hands it is like a manifestation of all the work we put in, the sweat and tears, because it was a lot of work, but definitely worth it. It really is a gorgeous book that looks great on a shelf.”
University of Windsor students in the editing and publishing practicum course had their first look at the book they spent two semesters editing and publishing, The Poet's Cookbook, which will officially launch on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Courtesy of Regis Bogahalanda/ University of Windsor)
For the class, the reward went beyond holding the finished book and seeing their names in print as editors.
Bogahalanda said the practicum, which felt more like an internship, provided them with skills and experience they can take into the workplace.
“This practicum is unique. And it’s very sought after,” Bogahalanda said.
“This is a huge testament to the English department and the University. Students are getting their boots on the ground, doing this entire project that professional people do — people who have degrees and master’s degrees and have been working in their field for five to 10 years. It’s a real testament to what the school can do.”
The book launch, held Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at Mackenzie Hall, will also mark Conspiracy Press’s first publication. The event is free to attend, but attendees are asked to register at Eventbrite.ca.
The Poet’s Cookbook will be available for purchase, and attendees can celebrate with refreshments, enjoy live readings and connect with several contributing authors.
“Buy the book,” Bogahalanda encouraged. “It’s such a unique thing to be able to say we have done, and I think that’s absolutely worth showcasing.”