Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Interview with award-winning author/illustrator Pierre Lamielle of Kitchen Scraps


I didn’t even make it past the foreword to Pierre A. Lamielle’s award-winning cookbook, Kitchen Scraps, before I was chuckling to myself and asking the one question I continued to ask aloud for the next 200 odd pages:

How does he come up with this stuff?!

This ‘stuff’ is brilliant and 100% original illustrations, paired with succulent recipes, and rounded out with downright hilarious captions and anecdotes.

It’s nutty, it’s wacky --it’s entirely engrossing.

If I hadn’t recently met Pierre in person (oh yes I DID!), I would have had a jolly time conjuring up what he must be like to produce such an off-the-wall cookbook. However, we recently sat down over coffee to talk about Kitchen Scraps and chew the fat over the publishing industry, food blogging, and the tireless work of Jamie and Julie (not together, although it’s not a bad idea), and I’m reporting back to you in all honesty when I say that Pierre seems like a fairly normal guy. A downright sweetheart, I may even go as far as to say.


So, wait, who is this fellow anyway?
I don’t think Pierre would mind me alluding to his obscurity, as he admits to keeping a low profile. Among being a chef-illustrator, Pierre is a semi-reluctant blogger, can’t get into Twitter, and modestly insists his life hasn’t drastically changed since Kitchen Scraps won a major international award.

Yes, that’s right, Calgary's Pierre A. Lamielle represented Canada in the recent Gourmand International Cookbook Awards and brought home the top prize in the Illustrated Cookbook category!

I’m nearly as patriotic as I am competitive, and was bursting with national pride when I heard this news via Twitter. (where I get all my news, these days.)

To think, I’ve even been published in the same cookbook as this fellow! Which he was kind enough to autograph for me. Thanks Pierre!
As if winning international recognition wasn’t enough, Kitchen Scraps has sold nearly 5000 copies and is close to making the Canadian Bestsellers list. Really, it’s pretty awesome. Despite Pierre's modest statement that life is more-or-less the same since his cookbook and award, I say, keep your eye on him. He is destined for great things.

Back to that cookbook foreword for a second though, if I may. The illustration of a handful of celebrity chefs squabbling over the honor of writing the foreword to Kitchen Scraps and accompanying self-written forward is reason enough to buy Pierre’s book. And that’s all I’m going to say.

Go pick one up right now and see if you don’t agree.

Kitchen Scraps is a cookbook for the whole family, well, the over-18, anyway, as some of the subject matter is -ahem- decidedly mature. It's easy to imagine the book traveling from the kitchen (where I whipped up the dead simple and deadly delicious Half-Baked Pot Brownies) to the bathroom with Danny (forget Calvin & Hobbes, this is perfectly suitable throne room reading material) to the nightstand, where my copy currently resides.

Again, let me reiterate, it's unlike any cookbook you've ever seen.

Here's what else I think: you need a copy. Like today.


Fortunately I can help out with that need for one luck reader...

Yep! It's giveaway time!

The folks at Whitecap have offered one copy of Kitchen Scraps to UtHC readers.

Just leave a comment below to enter
- that's IT!

Giveaway ends Saturday, June 5 at Midnight, EST. Good Luck!

* * *
You can read more about Pierre in this interview where he talks about his work ethics, income sources and where he stands on 'selling out'. You can also read his chat with The Hot Plate, the official blog of Pierre's old stomping grounds, the French Culinary Institution.

Both interviews are infinitely more professional than mine.

Pierre, thanks for taking the time to meet with me--and for Kitchen Scraps. Best of luck for the future!

76 comments:

Amber said...

I've see his articles/recipes in Calgary's Swerve magazine, I always love his illustrations :)

Shaina said...

I adore the illustrations. The stone soup in the Blog Aid Cookbook won me over.

Anonymous said...

I would love a copy of his book!

Natalie said...

I'm so curious to check this out--would love to win a copy!

Anonymous said...

Oh this just sounds wonderful!! Love that photo of him!

marybeth

Anonymous said...

This book would be great to have in my kitchen!

Steph M

Allie Z said...

Count me in to win! I would love love love a copy!!

Tracy said...

looks like a really interesting cookbook. I'm really diggin' the illustrations!

Anonymous said...

looks more than worthy to be on our cookbook shelf! great!

cheers,

*heather*

Anonymous said...

I want this book! A great cook with a fabulous sense of humor is the best.

JenT said...

Sounds like a terrific cookbook. Good illustrations, good humour and good recipes all together, wow!

mlindley said...

I love the idea, can't wait to win my own copy : )

Angela said...

I've read about this cookbook elsewhere, and I'd love to own it!

Michelle said...

Ooooo, I'd love to win a copy!!

Jane said...

Me, me, me.

ExpatCentral said...

I would love to win a copy. Either way, I'm putting in a request for my local library to purchase it!

Lizzie said...

cookbooks! pictures! sounds wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Ha! Just looking at the brief illustrations in this post make me smile. Obscurity no more Pierre!

Hettar7 said...

The recipe titles don't really tell you what kind of book it is, neither does the description. But ... Irreverent Wit and Provocative Chickens? Sounds interesting. And the illustrations do seem really fun.

Terrie said...

Please, please, please, pick me! Pick me! I love you, I love Under the High Chair, I love your kids, I love you cooking, I love your hubby, I'm so glad you married him! Your the best blogger in my world. I love your cooking. I'll bring you scones.

Lis said...

Ooo! Ooo! Pick me!

missweb said...

Perfect timing. I recently got a fat gift certificate to spend at Appetite for Books and was actually going to e-mail you for title suggestions. Adding this one to my list but also crossing my fingers that I win too!

Jan (Family Bites) said...

Sounds like a fun afternoon! I'm utterly fascinated by his illustrations.....

Melissa said...

I love his illustrations. Now that is someone you'd want to sit and sip coffee with. How cool!

Linda Murray said...

This books sounds deliciously good. Fun recepies to try...

Kirsten said...

Sounds like a great cookbook!

Lynne Faubert said...

I admit, I didn't know him. But that's quite an appetite appeal story, I might want to dig in :)

Susan said...

Hhhmmm... I'm very intrigued! Fingers crossed!

Kariane said...

A cookbook giveaway! Yes, please!!

Thanks for hosting!

Kariane

Anonymous said...

I love Pierre's illustrations! I would love to see the recipes that accompany them! Kelly

olivia said...

yummm! need more cookbooks!

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

I adore cookbooks! And I adore Canada! And I am Canadian! And I want to win this giveaway!

Good luck Me! Thank you you!

Sara said...

I would love this book! I really enjoy your blog - it is on my list of "everydayers" :)

StereoQueenBee said...

I would love to win this!!!

Roving Lemon said...

Love the foreword illustration! It's okay to get *another* cookbook if it's free, right?

Hannah said...

I've been a big fan of his blog for quite some time now- I'd sure love to win the cookbook!

RoseMillsOhio said...

Pierre's illustrations are so clever!

Unknown said...

Lovely lovely illustrations!

Amber2Zoe said...

The illustrations are great!

Ingvild said...

This looks like a neat cookbook - I would love to win!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Pierre is so much fun to be around. Such a funny and generous soul.

Meghann said...

This is a perfect addition to my book collection!

Lee said...

Ooh, I love his illustrations! What a talented man!

Sharon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sharon said...

That drawing of the ladies and child in the cornfield totally makes me think of "Children of the Corn" - the 1984 version. AHH!

Looks like an awesome cookbook!

Chocolatesa said...

comment Comment COMMENT!

*dances*

denise said...

These illustrations just make me smile!!

Staci A said...

It sounds like an amazing, and entertaining, cookbook. I'd love to have it in my kitchen!

Jennifer Jo said...

I've been hankering after that book...

Gale Reeves said...

I love the art work.

Jodi said...

love the picture of him, would love to win the book

Amanda said...

Love your blog, and would love to have his book!

Anonymous said...

A beautiful cookbook is always so tempting, isn't it? Thanks for highlighting this one!

CookiePie said...

Looks fabulous!!! I would be so excited to peruse.

Elaine said...

What a delightful looking book!

Adrienne said...

Wow, sounds like a super fun book!

Claire said...

This cookbook looks amazing! I love the illustrations and your description has me very curious.

Godlesscook said...

Neat book

Gabrielle said...

What an amazing book! Thanks for the chance.

Unknown said...

I'm intrigued about this book, now!

Andrea Dekker said...

Oh, I LOVE a good cookbook...and have several on my nightstand as well!

Kate said...

If I don't win, I think Terrie should win since she said she'd bring you scones. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Please. Por favour. This could and should be my first cookbook!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great cookbook! I'd love to win your contest.

Ruth

Hilary said...

I love the whimsical illustrations - this book looks like so much fun!

Peter M said...

I've never heard of the fella but he's intriguing and I always have room for another book!

Vincci said...

I love his stuff and would love a copy of the book!

Anonymous said...

Would love to own this book have been following his adventures vicariously through you and Julie

Missie said...

Would love to see the works of thus chef- illustrator!!
Who knew one actually existed?! There may be hope for me to finally merge my two loves!
Love the blog Aimee, keep it up!
M.

Andrew said...

Looks like an adorable book

vertie said...

Looks delightful and delectable!

Lorraine T said...

He is sooo talented and creative. I chuckle every time I see his illustrations in Swerve, they always bring a smile to my face. If I had 1% of his talent in creating delectable food, and capturing our attention with his eye catching and thoughtful drawings, I would be very very fortunate ..and happy!

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