Collecting Culinaria exhibition runs September 2024 to March 2025

Curators: Caroline Lieffers and Merrill Distad

3 September 2024 – 31 March 2025

Back by popular demand, this visually compelling exhibition of books and ephemera relating to the preparation and enjoyment of food over several centuries is 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.