All Of It Podcast Summary: "Tables of Contents Makes Literature Edible"

Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Evan Hanzor, Chef and Founder of Tables of Contents
Release Date: March 3, 2025
Podcast: All Of It by WNYC
Duration: Approximately 15 minutes

Introduction to Tables of Contents

In the episode titled "Tables of Contents Makes Literature Edible," Alison Stewart delves into the innovative world of culinary arts inspired by literature. She introduces listeners to Tables of Contents, a Brooklyn-based initiative founded by chef Evan Hanzor, which bridges the gap between the literary and culinary worlds by creating meals inspired by books.

Alison Stewart begins by highlighting the concept:

"Have you ever read a description of a meal in a book and thought, wow, that sounds so good? Thanks to the Brooklyn based company Tables of Contents, you can enjoy said meal." (00:39)

Evan Hanzor’s Journey: From Chef to Literary Culinarian

Evan Hanzor shares his passion for both cooking and literature, detailing his path to founding Tables of Contents. He recounts his culinary beginnings in New Orleans while attending Tulane University, where he first gained hands-on experience in restaurants like Ye Olde College Inn.

"I started working a restaurant in Westport called the Dressing Room, which was kind of appropriately situated next to a playhouse, the Westport Playhouse. So there was, you know, art and food sort of proximate to each other, that place." (01:36)

Evan emphasizes how his love for storytelling and food systems converged, leading him to explore the intersection of these passions through cooking inspired by literary works.

Founding Tables of Contents: Bringing Books to the Plate

Alison Stewart introduces the genesis of Tables of Contents, highlighting how Evan transformed literary scenes into culinary creations. The first event centered around Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises," where Evan crafted dishes that mirrored key moments in the novel.

"We chose that book and we did everything ranging from a scene of trout wrapped in ferns that sort of echoes this moment where two characters are fish... to a bullfight scene with a plate dusted with mushroom powder and some tartare and beets and a sort of bloody splatter." (03:14)

This inaugural dinner solidified Edward's commitment to continuing literary-inspired culinary events, blending direct interpretations with more abstract, emotional representations of literary moments.

Creative Process: From Page to Plate

When discussing his creative process, Evan explains how he extracts inspiration from various elements within a book, not limited to explicit food scenes. He delves into the nuanced aspects of literature, such as colors, textures, and emotions, to craft unique dishes.

"We can make gnocchi inspired by the description of a baby's fontanelle. Like the soft texture of a head. So it can range into the kind of the weird, the interpretive, when there are sort of less direct or obvious options to look for." (05:53)

Evan illustrates this with examples like choux pastries inspired by the description of a bruise and concentrated tagine flavors reflecting the compactness of a poem's emotion.

Expanding Culinary Horizons Through Literature

Evan discusses how collaborating with contemporary authors and exploring diverse cuisines through literature has broadened his culinary repertoire. This continual infusion of fresh ideas keeps the project vibrant and ever-evolving.

"There's something about cooking from the text that gives the dish a whole different identity and heft." (07:17)

He highlights the integration of cocktails into the experience, enhancing the literary and culinary fusion.

Table of Contents Digest: Capturing the Experience

To extend the reach of his culinary-literary endeavors, Evan introduces the Table of Contents Digest, a zine that compiles recipes and insights from their monthly events. This publication serves as an annual recap, allowing those who couldn't attend in person to experience the essence of Tables of Contents.

"This has, I think, 13 events from sort of the 2023, 2024 season, roughly three dozen authors, a bunch of different dishes and cocktail recipes." (11:01)

Working with Poetry: A Unique Challenge

Evan shares his unique approach to translating poetry into culinary art, emphasizing the concentrated emotional resonance of poems.

"There is a description in one of the poems of the flavors of a tagine and carrot is mentioned and uni... We wanted to take that and channel it into a small poetic bite." (12:11)

This approach allows him to distill the essence of a poem into a single, impactful bite, mirroring the brevity and depth of poetic expressions.

Impact on Little Egg and Future Endeavors

Balancing his role at Little Egg, Evan explains how Tables of Contents complements his restaurant work, fostering community through different culinary expressions.

"Little Egg is a restaurant for the community... Tables of Contents shares a different space and different goals in a lot of ways." (13:34)

Looking ahead, Evan expresses interest in developing a comprehensive cookbook that encapsulates the spirit and creativity of Tables of Contents, expanding its reach and impact.

Connecting with Tables of Contents

Evan provides listeners with avenues to engage with Tables of Contents through their website, newsletter, and social media platforms. Upcoming events and publications offer opportunities for literary and culinary enthusiasts to participate and experience the fusion firsthand.

"Our next reading is next week, March 11th. I think there's still a few tickets so people can check it out in person if they want." (15:27)

Conclusion

In this episode of All Of It, Evan Hanzor exemplifies the harmonious blend of literature and culinary art through Tables of Contents. His innovative approach not only celebrates the richness of literary works but also fosters a unique community where food becomes a medium for storytelling and emotional expression. Whether through intricate dishes inspired by classic novels or the intimate creation of poetry-infused bites, Evan transforms the act of eating into a profound cultural experience.

For more information and to engage with future Tables of Contents events, visit tablesofcontents.org and follow their Instagram @TablesOfContents.

This summary captures the essence of the "Tables of Contents Makes Literature Edible" episode, highlighting Evan Hanzor’s journey, creative process, and the innovative fusion of food and literature. Notable quotes are included with accurate timestamps to provide depth and authenticity to the summary.