Yesterday I was invited to a double celebration at Bider & Tanner Bookshop in Aeschenvorstadt 2 in Basel, honouring 21 years of Bergli Books and the publication of „Cheese Slices of Swiss Culture“ by Sue Style.
Bergli Books and Dianne Dicks are one: Bergli Books was founded in 1990 by Dianne Dicks to publish the anthology of stories about living in Switzerland Ticking Along with the Swiss because she could not find a publisher in either London or New York who would consider it. Thus, the publishing company was born and many more titles followed, focusing on life in Switzerland, about the Swiss themselves and guides on how to live and integrate in Switzerland as an expat.
From 2002 – 2010 Bergli Books operated a many faceted bookshop in Basel on Rümelinsplatz, in the heart of the town centre. Great customer service, Talk Parties and Book Discussions were well appreciated. I miss the bookshop and its friendly and competent team.
The future of Bergli Books as a publishing company looks promising: Monika Vischer Richter has joined as a partner and will contribute with her skills and experience in the English book business in Switzerland and in publishing.
Many happy returns to Bergli Books and congratulations to Dianne!
We all enjoyed the most talented IMPROVables of the Zurich Comedy Club , who entertained us with improvised sketches and games by suggestions from the audience without a scipt, absolute highlight: the sketch about Dianne and the Matterhorn.
“Cheese slices of Swiss culture” in its unique Edelweiss cotton cover
I met Sue Style some years ago when I had the pleasure to take part in one of her cooking workshops at her home in lovely Bettlach, in Alsace, France. It was a workshop on Mediterranean food and her recipes have become my all time favourites. Thanks for a lovely time and a most enjoyable lunch outside in your beautiful garden, Sue!
She is a most accomplished food, wine and travel writer and has written 8 books so far.
Combined with a lovely cheese and wine tasting she presented her 9th book „Cheese Slices of Swiss Culture“ (ISBN 978-3-905252-20-0, textile-bound hardcover, 256 pages, 270 illustrations, CHF 49.90).
It is truly an awesome work of art: she takes you on her quest through Switzerland to meet prize-winning and talented artisan cheese makers, beautifully photographed by Nikos Kapelis, carefully researched, with historical documents and works of art, with the additional bonus of 20 of Sue Style’s delicious recipes.
Great cheese and wine tasting, it was a lovely evening meeting old friends and in the end I concentrated more on catching up with my friends, so I missed out on getting to know all the producers present (hint: you will find them all in the book!). My apologies but priorities first!
Städtlichäsi from Lichtensteig, SG
Willi Schmid and his charming wife presented their wide range of cheeses, outstanding their world award winning Jersey Blue (this will go nicely with a white wine such as a Riesling Sylvaner), and to think that he produces his lovely cheeses on a mere 50 square meters!
Some links
Comments 23
Hi Barbara – great to catch up with you yesterday evening and glad you enjoyed the evening – I had a ball launching my new book (Number Nine!). Dianne was very happy too with how it all went, as were the two cheese makers – they were delighted to meet so many English-speaking fans, impressed at their cheese-y knowledge – and their command of German! BTW Willi Schmid is indeed in Lichtensteig, but it’s in the Toggenburg in eastern Switzerland, not Lichtenstein – even closer to us all, YUM!!
sue
@style_sue Hi Sue, great to see you here! And congratulations on your 9th book, so sorry! I will take care of it in the post (as well as moving Willu Schmid a little bit closer to us!).
Some of those cheeses look quite enticing.
@TheJackB Hi Jack, they all were enticing and I ate far too much!
Cheese! You tempt me so!
@JanineRipper Temptress – my vocation! How are you doing dairyless? I find that I feel much better eating food which is not treated in any way, organic as much as possible and – well, I do not heed it that much – as some wise men say: the dosage does it!
@Late_Bloomers I’m actually feeling a lot better this week (internally) which is great! I’ve been upping the vege intake, washing my vegetables well, trying to eat food with minimal additives etc, and still no coffee : )
I have cheated/treated myself though 🙂
I’m finding it hard to find organic fruit and veges which is a shame. Will keep looking!
@JanineRipper Janine, why do you not grow them in your garden?
We are starting! We planted herbs 2 weeks ago (and they are still alive) and some chilli plants. We have a lemon and lime tree (in pots) but they aren’t fruiting, so I think we need to put them in the ground. Next up I think I will try growing some leafy greens : )
@JanineRipper So good! I wish you tons of luck and happy harvesting! Always here for advice (not weeding though!)! When planting out the lemon tree, mix some sand with the soil, they love it. Leafy greens? What are you planning? How I envy you, our garden is far too shadowy (being surrounded by high trees and tons of roots in the ground) to grow any vegetables, that’s why I grow them in pots on my balconies!
I am soo hungry right now. I miss my cheese…That’s what London does for you!
@JSJ2020 when I ived in London ages ago … I missed my cheeses, too! But there are so many fine English cheese producers now, cannot you find them in London? Maybe I should do some field work for that issue (working titel: The Cheeses of this World), I would only have to find a sponsor to finance it …. and I would need volunteers for the tastings of course!
Oh, wow. Just the thought of that Jersey Blue has me drooling. Maybe some pears, a little port. Heaven …
@oneshoeshy ahh, Thom, another cheese afficionado! How I love them (cheeses)! Maybe you could organise some cheese tasting of small cheese producers in the States? I’d book the next flight!
LOVE cheese!….even though I’m a semi-lactose intolerant in denial *sigh* …Oh what a feast it must have been for you! Thanks for sharing Barbara 🙂
@jpage.manuel Joy, I feel for you, does it mean you cannot eat any cheese? And being in denial: does it mean you are indulging in spite of? Courageous you!
It was really lovely and I overdid it! I ate so much cheese without any bread, I felt quite queasy (to put it mildly!) afterwards …
Sounds like a wonderful cheesy evening. Hmm I’m thinking I may have to host a wine a cheese party in the near future =)
@laliavoce Yes, yes, yes! 😉
What an event — I love it when there are tons of things to celebrate! I’m especially interested in the story you shared about Dianne’s publishing process. I wonder how complicated it is to set up your own publishing company. =P
I also second everyone else’s comments about the cheese! I’ll have to try the specialty cheeses at the supermarket soon. You’ve started a craving, Barbara! =)
@Samantha Bangayan Setting up your own publishing company: probably easier today than 20 years ago. From am a marketer’s viewpoint I’d say the main object is DISTRIBUTION!
Do you not know local farmes who produce their own cheeses? Try those if they are around. I do not trust supermarkets unless they sport gourmet in their name! Cut and prepacked cheese (think industrial cheeses) is a no go! Have fun exploring, Sam 😉
@Late_Bloomers Ooh! I guess that’s why it’s so important to have an online marketing presence! =)
Actually, all the local farmers who make cheese only produce one kind — it’s hard cheese and is eaten with toasted kernels of corn. =P
Amazing. It shows where there is a will there is a way. And I love celebrations. Bookshops, cookery workshops, my idea of heaven
@Hocam With you all the way! My idea of heaven is to publish a cookbook with all my stories and pictures in it! What is your dream?