Lunch at the Shop

Peter Miller makes lunch every day at his bookshop in Seattle. It may only be a salad or a soup or a sandwich, but he and his team put it together every day, with no formal kitchen, no formal table, no pans, no cooktops. It is a moment set aside, a moment off the line and the computer and the clock. Part cookbook and part manifesto, Lunch at the Shop is a primer for making lunch for a few people at work or even at home. However, the essence of the book is about adopting a lifestyle that allows everyone to savour food and to make and combine exceptional ingredients, every day, in a way that keeps lunch simple, fresh, healthy and a pleasure--it is about spending time enjoying fresh food, conversation and a respite from the stresses of the work day. The book includes 35 recipes and photographs by the Canal House team, as well as an explanation of the philosophy behind this unique approach to lunch and the basic techniques that are needed to make this a realistic and enjoyable task.