Cookbook & Supper Club Celebration — 30 April 2026
On 30 April 2026, we hosted a truly special evening at CanD’s Kitchen as we gathered for our latest Cookbook & Supper Club—this time with an added layer of celebration. The event marked The Book Cottage’s 30th birthday, and we could not have imagined a more fitting way to honour such an incredible milestone.
We welcomed guests into our newly renovated function space, where the atmosphere felt warm, lively, and filled with anticipation. The evening centred around a discussion of the best-selling books from the past 20 years at The Book Cottage. It quickly became clear that South African non-fiction holds a special place on readers’ shelves, with many of the top titles reflecting our country’s rich history, culture, and stories. The conversation flowed easily, sparking insights, laughter, and a shared appreciation for local literature.
The theme celebrated the top 10 bestsellers of the past 20 years (as far as records allow). Missed it? Sorry… no top 10 for you 😉
To complement the theme, we created a proudly South African-inspired menu that brought bold, familiar flavours to the table. Guests enjoyed a beautifully prepared springbok wellington, served with rooibos mashed sweet potato and a vibrant spekboom salsa. The dish balanced richness with freshness, showcasing local ingredients in a refined and memorable way.
For dessert, we leaned fully into celebration. We served a decadent vanilla cake layered with buttercream frosting, white chocolate ganache, and salted caramel. It felt like the perfect tribute to three decades of storytelling, community, and passion for books. Needless to say, the cake disappeared quickly.
We added a fun pop quiz to the evening, with an incredible stack of new reads up for grabs. Congratulations to Victoria for taking top spot—her face said it all! 📚✨
Throughout the evening, guests connected over food, stories, and shared experiences. The combination of literature and cuisine once again proved to be a winning recipe. As the night came to a close, the sense of celebration lingered, and we felt incredibly grateful to be part of such a meaningful occasion.
We look forward to many more evenings where books and food come together to create something truly special.
