A Newfoundland cookbook and photo album all in one
Review of Taking A Chance: The first 25 Years of Fishers’ Loft Inn by John and Peggy Fisher and Roger Pickavance.
Taking A Chance: The First 25 Years of Fishers’ Loft Inn by John and Peggy Fisher, with Roger Pickavance, is an enchanting coffee-table recipe book that includes the journey of the Fisher family and the establishment of Fishers’ Loft Inn in Port Rexton, N.L.. In 1989, the Fishers ventured to Port Rexton for a summer getaway from their home in Peterborough, Ont.. Their temporary escape would evolve into a lifelong love affair with the town, leading them to permanently relocate and build their inn, which now celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Throughout the book, the Fishers share their remarkable story of how Fishers’ Loft Inn came to be, alongside the fascinating people they encountered and the valuable discoveries they made along the way, in life and business. As readers embark on this narrative, they are enveloped in a sense of intimacy with the Fisher family and their inn, as the Fishers make people feel at home on the page, just as they do with their inn.
The allure of Taking a Chance deepens as it progresses, featuring a foreword from Dame Judi Dench, who was one of the inn’s celebrity guests when she was filming The Shipping News. Interspersed with personal anecdotes and stories of the people who have crossed paths with the Fishers on their journey, the book includes 136 vivid photographs of rugged Newfoundland landscape and over 80 delectable recipes.
The backdrop of Newfoundland, as highlighted in the photos, is absolutely gorgeous. The author describes it as having a sort of siren effect, and this stays absolutely true in the book, calling you to the Rock’s shores. As I was reading it I found myself wanting to uproot my own life and move to Newfoundland.
The selection of recipes enhances the book’s appeal. These colourful and fresh recipes have been adapted from the inn’s kitchen, with portion sizes adjusted to cater to readers’ needs. Through these recipes, readers can savour the unique taste of Newfoundland cuisine without venturing all the way to Port Rexton.
The Fishers’ story provides hope and shows it is never too late to start over. The Fishers found taking risks and staying true to themselves to be vital in the pursuit of happiness. Reading this story full of joy, colour, and culture, where everything seems to work out the way it was intended, was as satisfying as any of the meals encoded inside.
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