Celebrating Dame Alison Holst's 100th Book

Alison Holst’s name regularly occurs on most trusted, most Googled and bestseller lists and this November sees the publication of her 100th book. But it’s not a cookbook this time, it’s a memoir.

Visiting bookshops and libraries and raising funds for assorted charities as she goes, the author tour for ‘A Home-grown Cook: The Dame Alison Holst Story’ begins in Southland on Tuesday and carries on up the country over the month of November.

“The 100th book seemed a milestone that would be good to celebrate,” says Alison. “When I first set out I was simply looking to teach young mothers how to cook tasty, healthy meals for their families. That’s what I most wanted to do. I hadn’t planned to write, or be on television, or do any of the things I ended up doing! Somehow, my working life just happened, and I’ve loved it. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

This book is a slice of our social history,” says publisher Neil Hyndman. “There’ll be stories in here that everyone will recognise from their own lives and families. And Alison has included some recipes in this book (of course!). We’ve called them ‘Alison’s All Time Favourite Recipes.’”

‘A Home-grown Cook: The Dame Alison Holst Story’, is available from bookstores and libraries nationwide. More information about Alison’s tour dates is copied below:


Winton Paper Plus, Tuesday 1st November
1 – 1.30pm, 244 Great North Road
For more information phone: 03 236 7636

Gore Paper Plus, Tuesday 1st November
7 – 8.30pm, 44 Irk Street
This event is being run as a fundraiser for West Gore Home & School. Tickets are $10 from the school and Paper Plus.
For more information phone: 03 208 7528

Dunedin Paper Plus, Thursday 3rd November
1 – 1.30pm, Golden Centre, 251 George Street
For more information phone: 03 477 8898

Dunedin City Library, Thursday 3rd November
5.30 – 7.30pm, 4th floor, Dunningham Suite
Tickets cost $5 from any library branch.
For more information or to book your place phone: 03 474-3690
or email library@dcc.govt.nz

Oamaru Western Gardens, Friday 4th November
10 – 11.30am, Airedale Road
This event is being run as a fundraiser for Save the Children. Tickets are $10
For more info, and to book, please phone: Oamaru Paper Plus, tel. 03 434 7498

Timaru Paper Plus, Friday 4th November
1 – 1.30pm, 248 Stafford Street
For more information phone: 03 684 3315

Ashburton Paper Plus, Friday 4th November
3.30 – 4pm, 212 East Street
For more information phone: 03 308 8309

Christchurch, Middleton Grange School, Friday 4th November
7.30 – 9.30pm, Acacia Avenue (car parking available in Arthur Street)
This event is being run as a fundraiser for Women On Air. Tickets are $12
For more info, and to book, please phone Merivale Paper Plus 03 964 3836 or the fabulous Ruth Todd on 03 384 4721

Merivale Paper Plus, Saturday 5th November
10.30 – 11am, Shop 2, Merivale Mall, 189 Papanui Rd
For more information phone: 03 964 3836

Wellington, Saturday 5th November
3.30 – 5.30pm, Marsden Books, 159 Karori Road
Places are limited, RSVPs are requested to Marsden Books, tel. 04 476 8066

Coastlands Paper Plus, Monday 7th November
1pm - 1.30pm, Coastlands Shopping Mall, State Highway 1, Paraparaumu
For more information phone: 04 298 8900

Levin Paper Plus, Monday 7th November
4 – 4.15pm, 201 Oxford Street
For more information phone: 06 368 5013

Palmerston North Central Library, Monday 7th November
7 - 9pm, 1st Floor, Central Library
Tickets are $5 from the Issues Desk or Paper Plus (and includes refreshments)
For more information contact Paper Plus:
06 359 4635
palmerstonnorth@paperplus.co.nz
or the Palmerston North Central Library:
06 351 4519
promotions@pncc.govt.nz

Masterton Paper Plus, Tuesday 8th November
6 – 7.30pm, 18 Queen Street
For more information phone: 06 378 8300

Te Awamutu Paper Plus, Wednesday 9th November
11 – 11.20am, 263 Alexandra Street
For more information phone: 07 871 5257

Cambridge, Wright’s Bookshop, Wednesday 9th November
12.15 – 12.45pm, 54 Victoria Street
For more information phone: 07 827 4360

Hamilton, TheBase Paper Plus, Wednesday 9th November
3.30 – 4pm, Shop 112, The Base Retail Park, Maahanga Drive
For more information phone: 07 849 0945

Hamilton, Penny’s Books, Wednesday 9th November
7.30 – 9.30pm, Westfield Chartwell, Cnr Hukanui & Comries Rds, Chartwell
This event is being run as a fundraiser for Hamilton Plunket and the Waikato Family Centre. Tickets are $10 from Penny’s, Hamilton Plunket and Waikato Family Centre (drinks & nibbles included)
For more info, and to purchase tickets, phone: 07 854 8389

Thames Club, Thames, Thursday 10th November
11.30am – 1.30pm, Corner Mackay and Mary Streets
Join Alison for conversation and a light lunch. Tickets cost $20 and are available from Carsons Bookshop and the Thames Club bar. Profits from this event will be put towards Club renovations. Doors open at 11am.
For more information, phone Carsons Bookshop: 07 868 6301

Pukekohe Take Note, Thursday 10th November
4 – 4.30pm, 43 King Street
For more information phone: 09 238 5771

Auckland, Westgate, Saturday 12th November
11.30 – 11.45am, The Warehouse, Westgate, Fernhill Drive
For more information phone: 09 833 4417

Auckland, Sylvia Park, Saturday 12th November
12.30 – 12.45pm, The Warehouse, Mt Wellington Highway
For more information phone: 09 985 0510

Auckland, St Helier’s Community Library, Saturday 12th November
2 – 2.30pm, corner Polygon & St Heliers Bay Road
For more information phone St Helier’s Take Note, tel. 09 575 4971

Auckland, Eastridge Paper Plus, Saturday 12th November
3 – 3.30pm, Shop 16, Eastridge Shopping Mall, 209 Kepa Road
For more information phone: 09 521 5402

Auckland, Howick Paper Plus, Saturday 12th November
4.15 – 4.45pm, 71 Picton Street
For more information phone: 09 534 8715

Auckland Central Library, Monday 14th November
6 – 7.30pm, 44 – 46 Lorne Street
This is a free event but bookings are highly recommended. Call 09 377 0209 to reserve your place.

Auckland, Cook the Books, Tuesday 15th November
6 – 7.30pm, 139 Richmond Rd, (corner Norfolk St), Grey Lynn
Spaces are limited for this event. Tickets are $5 (redeemable against the purchase price of the book)
Please RSVP to books@cookthebooks.co.nz or Tel. 09 360 6513

Napier, Municipal Theatre, Monday 21st November
7 – 9pm, 119 Tennyson Street
This event is being run as a fundraiser for Napier Central School, Tickets are $20 from the Municipal Theatre or Ticketek (plus booking fees). The ticket price includes $10 off the purchase price of A Home-grown Cook on the night. Audience members are encouraged to bring along some extra cash for cake and cookbook raffles.
For more information phone Beattie & Forbes, tel. 06 835 8968
To purchase tickets visit www.ticketek.co.nz or phone 0800 TICKETEK (0800 842 538)

Orewa Library, Wednesday 23rd November
11am – 12.30pm, 12 Moana Avenue
Tickets are $5 (includes a light lunch) and are available to purchase from the reception desk.
Phone Orewa Library on 09 426 8249 to reserve your place.

Auckland, Eden Park Function Centre, Sunday 27th November
2.30 – 5.30pm, 10 Reimers Avenue, Kingsland
This event is a Fabulous Foodies occasion with Kerre Woodham and 3 other authors. Tickets cost $40 and more information is available from www.paperplus.co.nz/events

Auckland, Glenfield Paper Plus Christmas Party, Tuesday 29th November
6 – 8.30pm, Shop 306, Westfield Glenfield Shopping Centre, Cnr Glenfield Rd & Downing Street
For more information phone: 09 441 7084


ENDS