The Cuba Street Project

Place, Food, People

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An intimate look at Wellington's beloved Cuba Street - the place, the people, the food.

More than just a cookbook.
Cuba Street has many faces. Restaurants, cafés, record shops, fashion outlets — and the bucket fountain. Cuba Street has iconic status in Wellington – its colour and character over the last few decades have made it a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. From the late lamented Matterhorn and Mighty Mighty, to Midnight Espresso, Logan Brown and Ombra, the street is filled with places and people worth remembering.
Beth Brash is a Wellington-based foodie and blogger. She knows the local food scene extremely well, having been the manager of the popular Beervana festival and now programme manager for Visa Wellington On a Plate. She and her photographer sister, Alice Lloyd, spent a summer capturing the essence of Cuba Street, visiting all the eateries and off-beat shops, with Alice taking the photographs and Beth researching, interviewing and gathering recipes. The fascinating result is The Cuba Street Project.
Great production values (hardback with blunt cut edges) and a very contemporary look make this a highly desirable package.

Published: 29 October 2018
ISBN: 9780143772347
Imprint: Random House NZ
Format: Hardback
Pages: 272
RRP: $55.00

Categories:

Food & drink

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About the authors

Beth Brash

Wellington-based Beth Brash’s love of food was ignited by growing up around a culinarily curious mother (in the 1980s hummus wasn't something you could buy from the supermarket). Having studied film and theatre at Victoria University she took on a role in sales and marketing at the New Zealand Film Commission. It was while working there that Beth recognised her passion for food, beer and great hospitality, and started the popular Eat & Greet blog with her sister Alice. Together they told the stories of the ‘people behind the plates’ by interviewing local chefs, brewers, and coffee roasters, which led to her next role in sales and marketing at People’s Coffee.

Beth then switched coffee for beer as she took on the role of manager of Beervana in 2015. As a huge fan of craft beer, she significantly raised the profile of New Zealand’s much-loved national beer event. In late 2017 she moved within the Wellington Culinary Events Trust to the mammoth role of programme manager for Visa Wellington On a Plate. Her new role involves working with the industry to help facilitate events and experiences, turning creative ideas into reality. Beth has always been a passionate advocate for the hospitality industry and enjoys telling their stories.

Alice Lloyd

Alice is a designer and photographer with a young family living in Berhampore, Wellington. She has fond memories of Cuba Street as a student: wide-ranging and quality food, good coffee and the chance to people watch. Much has changed in almost twenty years, but the spirit remains the same - you can still hop up on a stool in the window at Midnight Espresso and watch the world go by (but unlike the old days you won't cop an eyeful of the pole dancers over at Lik's Strip Club). Alice has enjoyed photographing the people and food for The Cuba Street Project and the opportunity to celebrate all that is great about this iconic Wellington street, but the highlight has been working with her sister to bring this book to life.
You can see more of Alice's work at daughterandson.co.nz

Praise for The Cuba Street Project

...an atmospheric, beautifully crafted book...
New Zealand Listener

The ultimate love letter to one of the capital's most popular districts. Brash and Lloyd's book captures the distinctive flair of Cuba St's signature restaurants, quirky cafes, vintage fashion stores, old-school records and collectable curiosities. Equal parts coffee table keepsake and recipe book, its tasteful black-and-white portraits capture the people at the heart of Wellington, while colour photographs showcase the food and interiors of popular neighbourhood eateries, such as Loretta and Fidel's.
Gianina Schwanecke, North & South