A great gift and a very cool book
It’s always wonderful to find something really cool that you can’t wait to not only buy for yourself but also for as many friends as possible. The other day, S came home with the cutest new book. Irene’s Peranakan Recipes, published by uber-cool design and custom-publishing firm Epigram, was originally produced as a Christmas gift for the company’s clients. The very slick and slim volume was so well-received that Epigram has since decided to release the book for sale to the general public.
As design addicts, S and I were thrilled by Irene’s Peranakan Recipes. While published in just 2 colors, it is gorgeously designed, with artful borders and cute illustrations. Everything from the choice of fonts to the fill-in-the-blanks shopping pages are stylishly and artfully well-thought out.
Not only is this great little book beautifully designed, it was produced with a lot of love. The project was brought to Epigram by Singapore Symphony Orchestra oboist Elaine Yeo. The recipes are her late mother’s. Irene Yeo was a Teochew housewife and active volunteer who, in her later years, taught very popular cooking classes. I have to admit that I haven’t had time to test Ms Yeo’s recipes yet. S and I have already flagged a number of things we’re itching to try. Hopefully, we’ll get to them as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we’ll be picking up a couple more copies to give to friends in the upcoming weeks. Irene’s Peranakan Recipes makes a gorgeous and very cool gift. Currently, the book is available in most major bookstores in Singapore.
About Aun Koh
Aun has always loved food and travel, passions passed down to him from his parents. This foundation, plus a background in media, pushed him to start Chubby Hubby in 2005. He loves that this site allows him to write about the things he adores--food, style, travel, his wife and his three kids!
When done with love and passion, sometimes the most simple of things are the most beautiful. This book looks absolutely stunning from here!
wow- nonblack, and multiple bookmarks… nice details. I alse love the mandala design on the cover there. This is very inspiring.
Anyway we can order from States? I’ve googled this book and can’t seem to find it.
Do you know any website that ships internationally? I really want to get one too.
Anonymous and GM: It’s really hard for non-North American based companies to get listed on Amazon. I suggest that you email Epigram, the publisher, directly. I am sure they would be happy to sell the books to you and post them. Their email address is enquiry@epigram.com.sg. Cheers.
can we get this book from the singapore airport?
I can’t wait! I just reserved a copy at Times the Bookshop, orders have apparently been placed with the publisher but not delivered yet ;P
Anonymous: I just emailed Epigram about the airport thing. They said, “not yet but within the next 2-3 weeks it will be available there.”
Just a Girl: I got my copy at Kinokuniya. They should still have stock.
Thank you! Was going to go over to Kino this weekend as suggested but got the call from Times yesterday and now I have the book in my hands! Gorgeous!
Thanks Chubby Hubby. I emailed the publisher..still haven’t heard back but hopefully I can get a copy as well. It looks too good to pass…GM
Yes, yes, nice design, but any good cookbook has to have PICTURES, IMHO.
Ok, so it is beautiful, but how were the recipes? You must have tried them by now!
To be honest, we haven’t tried that many. (We own so many cookbooks, that with just a few exceptions, we’ve only cooked a handful from each.) The ones we did try though, worked very nicely.
I wish I’d picked up a copy of this when I was last at Changi. I had a look through it but couldn’t decide at the time!
I only discovered about this book on my last trip home to Singapore, when my mother gave me a copy. Turns out that Irene was her cousin and these were the dishes that I grew up with. Glad you like the book – I love the simplicity of the copy in this age of hardcover, glossy prints. The satay and otak recipes are pretty good!
Hallo Aun! I have just come across your blog and I cant get enough 🙂 Cant wait to visit Singapore and Im happy to have some restaurant references now as good food is among the most important things for my family on holidays 🙂 What is “Peranakan” actually? Thank you for this wonderful blog and greets from Switzerland
Just stumbled across your website – obviously been in the market for a couple of years – do you still have them in the market or has it been updated?