Corfu cooking on display tonight

Corfu is an island belonging to Greece, but Corfu cuisine has very little in common with traditional Greek food. Area residents will have the chance to find that out about the island’s cuisine tonight at an event sponsored by Columbia Books and Village Wine & Cheese.

Alice Padova Anderson, a Corfu native, will speak about Corfu cuisine. Her book, “Corfu Cooking,” will be on sale and recipes will be set up buffet-style at the event.

Anderson, who travels to Corfu three times a year to visit family and friends, said many people confuse Corfu cooking with Greek cuisine.

“Greece has many regions and influences,” Anderson said. “Corfu has been very much influenced by the West.” Those influences include Italian, French and especially British cooking, as can be seen in the island’s selection of puddings.

Anderson said the recipes in her book primarily come from her mother, with a handful coming from the Greek mainland and other places.

Madeline Matson, coordinator of the event for Columbia Books, said she wanted to use the event to promote local businesses and local authors.

Matson also said the event is a good chance to showcase the bookstore’s specialty in food-related books.

Village Wine & Cheese owner Kathy Fluesmeier said the evening should be enjoyable for people interested in trying new cuisine. Her business will prepare the food and offer a selection of Greek wines and beers.

Fluesmeier said customers have already expressed excitement about the event.

“A lot of people don’t really know what Corfu cooking is,” she said. “They’re excited about it because it’s not the typical thing they’re used to hav-ing at home.”