Gathering in the kitchen to chat and sample the food being cooked is a common pastime in many homes over the holidays. On Sunday, December 10^th, Christmas shoppers at Stauffacher’s English Bookshop in Bern were invited to join “the family” at the launch of Helvetic Kitchen, a new Bergli Books cookbook written and illustrated by Swiss-Canadian author Andie Pilot (photo, right).

“It was delightful to celebrate the book with some Brunsli and bubbles!” says Pilot, who provided a plate of the traditional Swiss cookies (freshly baked!) for the launch. Besides pouring Prosecco, Andie signed copies of her book, available in Swiss bookstores and online at www.bergli.ch.

Andie even gave an on-the-spot interview to Carmela Reyes (pictured, left), who bought five books as presents for the recent graduates of Neuchatel Junior College, which Andie attended in 2001.