Calling all SINners

And the people who appreciate them. SINners (Service INdustry workers), readers, and eaters who want to understand the secret lives of gourmet chefs can start with a novel by local author, Thomas Fox Averill, Secrets of the Tsil Cafe.

There will be two opportunities to discuss the book and one will include a visit with the author. On Saturday, July 19, at 2 pm, travel out to the Trails West branch for a discussion with the Trailblazers book group led by Kaite Mediatore Stover. On July 26, come downtown to the Central Library at 10:30 am for a discussion with the Common Grounds book group led by the author.

Although the story is told by Wes Hingler, the primary characters are his passionate, talented parents who share ownership of The Tsil Cafe and Buen AppeTito catering. Roberto Hingler will only cook with New World ingredients: nuts, berries, peppers, and spicy earthy ingredients that he uses to present traditional food in challenging ways. Maria Tito Hingler is drawn to the ingredients of the Old World of her ancestors: garlic, fish, tomatoes, pasta and delicate spices invoking the airiness and light of her kitchen.  Maria’s goal is to please her customers by creating fond culinary memories for them.

Averill cleverly drops in the history of his recipes and ingredients and astute readers will notice how well the story is propelled or the characters described by the recipes and ingredients they gravitate towards.