Available as Paperback
In this fascinating follow-up to the highly successful Dear Francesca, Mary Contini writes to her other daughter, Olivia, to tell the story of her great-grandparents, the humble Italian shepherds who emigrated to Edinburgh and then helped to transform Britain’s food culture. Sharing some of the recipes that they brought over, the tomatoes, the garlic, the sausage, the wine, this is a mouthwatering memoir of family and food. It is also a brilliant evocation of life between the wars, a triumphant story of survival against all the odds, that captures the sights and smells of Italian life and culture, at home and abroad.
“A charming story … she unravels the family history like a precious thread. Contini’s writing has a naturalness and honesty about it that brings a lump to the throat on occasion.”
sunday Herald
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“A happy blend of epistle, storytelling, memoir.”
the Times
“Refreshingly down to earth, the book is eminently readable.”
evening Times
“Don’t miss it.”
daily Mail
Mary Contini
MARY CONTINI is based in Edinburgh and first generation Italian Scot is a director of the famous delicatessen and wine merchant, Valvona & Crolla. She has written extensively for The Scotsman, appeared on TV and Radio and has co-presented Scotland’s Larder on STV. Her Children’s cookery Books, Easy Peasy, co-authored with Pru Irvine is now in it’s 8th year.