Fuchsia Dunlop at the Cambridge Public Library

RSVP is required for this event.

Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Fuchsia Dunlop—James Beard Award–winning author The Food of Sichuan and the IACP Award finalist Invitation to a Banquet —for a discussion of her new cookbook, Five Tastes: Delicious Recipes for Chinese Flavors.

RSVP for free to this event or choose the "Book-Included" ticket to reserve a copy of Five Tastes and pick it up at the event. Following the presentation will be a book signing.

Note: Books bundled with tickets may only be picked up at the venue the night of the event, and cannot be picked up in-store beforehand. Ticket holders who purchased a book-included ticket and are unable to attend the event will be able to pick up their book at Harvard Book Store up to 30 days following the event. This offer expires after 30 days. Please note we cannot guarantee signed copies will be available to ticket holders who do not attend the event.

Celebrated cook Fuchsia Dunlop returns with a master class on harnessing the magic of traditional Chinese flavoring techniques to bring joy into everyday home cooking.

The magic flavors of China, in your kitchen.

“When people in ancient China spoke of the ‘five tastes,’ they were talking not only literally about the five tastes recognized in Chinese gastronomy—sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, and salty—but also metaphorically about all the ingredients and flavors at a cook’s disposal. They were part of the dynamic process of the cosmos, like the five elements and the constant flux of yin and yang. A chef was a kind of magician, someone able to harness the virtues of the five tastes and combine them harmoniously in a dish, observing the Chinese philosophy that good health and pleasure are inseparable when it comes to food.”

Fuchsia Dunlop is a James Beard Award–winning author specializing in the cuisines of China, where she trained as a chef. A fluent Chinese speaker, she is the author of several books, including IACP Award finalist Invitation to a Banquet and James Beard Award finalist The Food of Sichuan. She currently lives in London. Photo Credit: Kristin Perers

The Cambridge Public Library inspires minds, and empower community. They support a Cambridge where everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, people live their best lives and democracy thrives. The Library’s programming provides an opportunity for civic dialogue, conversation, and learning, which includes exploring a wide range of views. Visit their website to learn more. Subscribe to their email list to stay up to date on their events.