Revisiting Culinaria
Collecting Culinaria: Cookbooks and Domestic Manuals Mainly from the Linda Miron Distad Collection
September 2024 – March 2025
Curators: Caroline Lieffers & Merrill Distad
Back by popular demand, this visually compelling exhibition of books and ephemera relating to the preparation and enjoyment of food over several centuries was a tribute to a generous donor and a remarkable woman. From national and regional cookbooks to manuscript and corporate cookbooks, this exhibition features highlights from the collection of librarian-researcher-editor-chef Linda Miron Distad (1944–2012) who had a special ability to “combine, separate, enhance, reduce, clarify, liaise,” and thereby to make magic. The catalogue for this exhibition may be purchased in person in the Peel library for $25 (cash only, no dealers) or through University of Alberta Press or Indigo.
Class/group exhibition visits may be arranged on Monday afternoons (only) and require advance booking; drop-in visitors are welcome on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons (1-4pm).
Check out a related digital exhibition: Culinaria: A Taste of Food History on the Prairies.
