Book Larder

September 29, 2011

Friends.  I’ve been keeping a little something from you.  That sounds sneaky, I know.  I never meant to be sneaky.  It started out that I was unsure, then I didn’t want to jinx myself, then I couldn’t believe it was real, then I wanted to make sure you could learn as much about it as possible (i.e. I was waiting for a web site to go live).  What on earth am I talking about?

This.  If you are active in the Seattle food community, then you know that an incredible place is about to open its doors.  Book Larder, our fair city’s very own cookbook shop, will open on October 12th.  A bookstore with over 3,000 titles, a gathering space, a place to attend amazing events, a kitchen in which to take cooking classes…and guess who is working there.

Me.  To say I am excited about this new chapter in my culinary life would be an understatement.  Lara, Book Larder’s visionary owner, and I have had multiple conversations about my role in the store and she is currently calling me Culinary Director.  I love that.  Basically, I will be doing a little of everything – working in the store, helping with events – but also overseeing the cooking classes held in the shop’s cozy kitchen space and teaching classes of my own.  When Lara and I had our first real conversation about a possible role for me there, she asked me what path I saw my career taking.  I told her that although I know it sounded a bit “woo-woo”, I felt like there was something out there swirling around in the Universe waiting to make itself clear to me.  And that thing is Book Larder.  I could not be more thrilled.

So!  If you live in Seattle, please come by the store and say hi.  The doors open October 12th.  Sign up for some events.  Come to some classes!  Just come and hang out!  We will be baking yummy things on a regular basis for sampling.  Check the Facebook page to find out about fun things like that or, if you are on Twitter, follow us.  If you don’t live in Seattle, but are planning a trip in the future, same deal.  Regardless of where you live, you can sign up for the Book Larder mailing list to read all about the amazing upcoming events, cool people who are blowing through town, and classes to take.

How about some preview photos?

The kitchen space. Lara and Spencer watching compostible packing peanuts go down the disposal.

The books have been coming in for a week.  Boxes and boxes of cookbooks.  Some of them I may have petted and rubbed against my cheek.  I may have started a list of things I want to buy.  Already.

Where are they all going to go?  The walls are lined with shelves and the next task is to figure out order and spacing.  That is what post-its are for!

We have many categories.  It makes me happy that one of them is called “Quirk”.

There will plenty for the kids to look at.  This is Spencer reading an adorable book called The Star Wars Cookbook: Wookiee Cookies.

Updates coming soon!



33 Comments »

  1. Amazing news! I am so happy for you and this couldn’t be more perfect for you. Sounds like my dream job, too :)

    Comment by Maris (In Good Taste) — September 29, 2011 @ 6:56 am

  2. Oh my gosh! That is so exciting! What a great idea too. One can never have enough cookbooks. I’ll have to make a point of coming to Seattle when I get to the US to come see the Book Larder & come say hi!

    Comment by Liv B — September 29, 2011 @ 7:47 am

  3. Congratulations! I am always so happy to hear people’s new ventures, especially when the universe presents something to you that is just perfect. My hometown, Portland Maine has a fabulous cooking and food bookstore, but alas it doesn’t have a kitchen. That is just the perfect combination, I wish I could come peruse and taste some of your treats!

    Comment by Anna — September 29, 2011 @ 12:33 pm

  4. Congrats – what a great new adventure! I’ve been anxiously awaiting for the store to open – I live right down the street. Really looking forward to seeing how the store adds to the community (and my cookbook shelf)! Thanks for coming to Fremont!

    Comment by Lynn — September 29, 2011 @ 2:41 pm

  5. Dana- this is SO exciting! I couldn’t be happier for you. What an exciting new direction in your culinary career! I love when things like this work out, this position could not be more perfect for you. I will definitely be sure to visit if I’m in the Seattle area!

    Comment by Clara — September 29, 2011 @ 2:45 pm

  6. Congratulations Dana!! How super exciting! I keep wanting to visit Seattle as it’s been over a year since I’ve visited. I’ll definitely stop by & say hello :)

    Comment by kickpleat — September 29, 2011 @ 4:09 pm

  7. This is SUCH exciting news!!! Congratulations. Will definitely be stopping by next time I go visit my sis up there in Tacoma. Yay for you!

    Comment by Lori @ RecipeGirl — September 29, 2011 @ 4:14 pm

  8. omg this is awesome!! can’t wait to see you tomorrow and learn more :)

    Comment by Gaby — September 29, 2011 @ 4:16 pm

  9. This new opportunity sounds so great. Congrats!

    Comment by Jennifer — September 29, 2011 @ 5:10 pm

  10. Dana- That is so amazing!! If I could pick out my own little space of shop it would look something a lot like that. What a great opportunity, and if I’m ever in Seattle (which I certainly expect to be), you can believe I will be stopping by (and hope you’re around to say hello!)

    Comment by elizabeth / sophisticated pie — September 29, 2011 @ 5:46 pm

  11. Dana, what exciting news! Book Larder sounds like my kind of place. Now I’m really wanting to take a trip to Seattle so I can visit.

    Comment by Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction — September 29, 2011 @ 6:23 pm

  12. Congrats, Dana! I wish you every success!

    Comment by Toast to coast — September 29, 2011 @ 7:42 pm

  13. Sounds like heaven! And it’s just one more excuse to visit Seattle! Best of luck!!

    Comment by Pam — September 29, 2011 @ 7:57 pm

  14. Congrats! I can’t think of a better fit. Cheers!

    Comment by Brooke — September 29, 2011 @ 8:34 pm

  15. That is wonderful! So exciting, you are so lucky to have this available!

    Comment by Nettie Moore — September 29, 2011 @ 8:40 pm

  16. Dana, this post makes me want to move to Seattle! So exciting! It sounds like a truly perfect place for you!

    Comment by Emily — September 29, 2011 @ 8:53 pm

  17. This is…the exact reason why I need to move (in with you).

    Comment by Joanne — September 30, 2011 @ 1:11 am

  18. Congratulations…dream job!

    Comment by nik — September 30, 2011 @ 2:05 am

  19. The space looks amazing – can’t wait to see how it develops! I’m mentally adding another stop to my itinerary for when we visit Seattle next spring. :)

    Comment by Jani — September 30, 2011 @ 3:14 am

  20. I’m so excited for you. I hope you will continue writing your blog. When I get to Seattle, the Book Larder will be on my list.

    Comment by linda — September 30, 2011 @ 10:16 pm

  21. Congrats,

    Be sure to include a new cookbook for Quinoa lovers called Quinoa 365 by a pair of CAN sisters. It’s totally wonderful.
    Have fun with this adventure.

    Cheers,
    SG

    Comment by Sylvie Greeniaus — October 1, 2011 @ 1:08 am

  22. How exciting! And I’ll be in town and would love to drop by but it’s just before you open. Guess I will just have to come back so I can drop in! Good luck.

    Comment by Charlotte — October 1, 2011 @ 5:10 am

  23. congrats, dana! I’m so jealous, I wish we had something like that near us. You will be excellent in that shop, so thrilled for you. I truly hope I can visit it sometime, enjoy the chaos of opening and learning and being a part of something new!

    Comment by sara — October 1, 2011 @ 6:05 am

  24. wow, congrats Dana.. sounds like such a fun place… much luck with the opening

    Comment by Cassie — October 1, 2011 @ 11:21 am

  25. Dana this is AMAZING! I will hopefully be out in Seattle again sooner than later and I cannot wait to pay this place a visit! :)

    Comment by natalie (the sweets life) — October 3, 2011 @ 6:56 pm

  26. So freaking wonderful. Dana, I can not WAIT to see you at Book Larder. And I can’t wait to hug those books myself. Congratulations!

    Comment by Ashley — October 4, 2011 @ 6:24 am

  27. This is such an exciting new venture! The space looks amazing.
    Congratulations to you!
    I wish Seattle wasn’t half around the world so I’d visit. Cannot wait to hear more about it!

    Comment by Annika — October 4, 2011 @ 8:30 am

  28. Sounds exciting, congrats!

    Comment by melinda ke — October 4, 2011 @ 9:24 pm

  29. Hi Dana! I am so excited for you, and Book Larder! We live right around the corner and have been watching progress as we walk around the neighborhood.

    Comment by Kimberly Malone — October 4, 2011 @ 11:20 pm

  30. Congrats! Just saw this–that’s awesome that you’ll be working with Lara. Can’t wait to come in and see the space. And I just signed up for the Adam Gopnik reading–see you then!

    Comment by Olaiya — October 5, 2011 @ 7:26 am

  31. How fantastic! Congratulations on this new beginning. Talk about a kid in a candy store. Enjoy!

    Comment by lisaiscooking — October 5, 2011 @ 9:32 pm

  32. Amazing Dana! The next time I’m in Seattle I will definitely stop by :)

    Comment by Rachel — October 6, 2011 @ 5:32 pm

  33. I am jealous! We have nothing like this at home.
    Your cooking classes and just chatting all day about FOOD and RECIPES is enough for me!
    I would work there for FREE!
    Good luck!
    xo

    Comment by stacey snacks — October 13, 2011 @ 7:17 pm



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