A Bit on the Side

by Virginia Trioli

Virginia Trioli knows that the enduring joy of life is often found not in the big moments but in the small.

When the main course is heavy going or unappetising, the 'bits on the side' make life really delicious. Our small, meaningful selections are the ones that make life glorious, and the side dish is the perfect metaphor for what many of us need right now.

A Bit on the Side is Virginia's ode to joy, fi lled with wisdom, stories, memories and recipes, all told with her renowned insight and wicked sense of humour.

This is a book to be read, treasured and shared with anyone who wants life served with a side of delight.


Prasie for A Bit on the Side

'A humorous reminder that the smallest things often carry the biggest rewards.' BONNIE GARMUS,

'Utterly delightful. Trioli's passion for life - and food, glorious food - crackles through every joyous page. A book so rare and so bloody well done.' TRENT DALTON

'Each page is full of zest, wit and joy; Virginia writes like an angel.' CHLOE HOOPER

'A warmly engaging epicurean masterclass on the pleasures of companionship and the table.' CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Food

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Jaclyn]

A joyful read about the pops of happiness to be found in daily simple things – classic French sauces, crunchy bread, crisp perfectly dresses green salad. Virginia has lived a big life with much conviviality. The book climaxes with her burning down her kitchen in the service of cooking a good steak that is worth it for the story. It’s all delightful reading and very charming. Virginia reads the audiobook so I listened on walks but then snuggled with the beautiful physical book of an evening. Thanks so much @cate_blake for knowing me so well.

[Janine Hills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit ho hum, some nice tales. I speed-read it mostly.

[Tim Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virginia Trioli's book revolves around the "side dishes" in meals and how, at least in her life, they have often played a bigger role than the centrepiece. Really, this is a book about food and how it has played a pivotal role in Virginia's life; her childhood, her friendships, how she met her husband, how she connected with her step-kids, and even how we might deal with difficult aspects of our upbringing.
Virginia shares a number of recipes (in a pdf attached to the digital version of the book for those not listening to the audio version), but covers many more meals, chefs, and food journeys. I particularly like the concept she discusses, of love expressed through labour poured into seemingly inconsequential things.
I could pay this book no greater compliment than saying that I'm now thinking about how I might be more adventurous in my Saturday evening cooking forays. Here's to creating memories!

[Cameron Beer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bit of the Side is heartwarming and full of charm. I loved the gentle, reflective writing—so much of it reminded me of a French culinary writing course I did at uni. The Melbourne references added an extra layer of warmth and familiarity. A quietly lovely read.

[Neve Epis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lowkey forgot I was listening until yesterday but glad I finished, very wholesome and lovely.
Excited to try a few recipes

[D'face · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anecdotes around food arguing that side dishes make life worth living. I am not that interested in food and was hoping for something more than this.

[Anna Persian · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
I shouldn’t be shocked that virginia trioli wrote such a lovely collection of stories, but I was delighted! The joy of cooking and sharing was interwoven between tales from travel, childhood, and career. I would buy this for everyone’s mum, except I think that the audiobook format is what made it so special!

[Chanel Chapters]

DNF

[dangerous at every speed · Rating 3 out of 5]

an unexpectedly warm and moving reflection, trioli was able to convey her connection and fondness for food and all it brings - conversation, connection, new experiences, so on and so forth - in a genuinely passionate and not arrogant way. it was sweet, the way a conversation with a friend is when they’ve spent hours making an elaborate meal, endearing in its honesty.

[Maddison Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got me back into reading. Devoured in 2 days. So many parts I felt were written just for me. Could taste the love poured into it. Loved that it was part memoir, part cookbook - Virginia feels like an old friend. Just excellent.

[Lyn O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging read particularly if you're interested in food.

[Susan C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think most people have been in a situation where they have daubed a finger into a smear of gravy or dressing on a plate, then discreetly licked it and pronounced "now that was good". So was my reaction to this book. Part memoir, part discussion of how to cook something specific, part how to eat; it was full of the vignettes of her life, and cooking in general. There were little nuggets about how and why some things are done, the discussion, for example, about vinaigrette and the science about the using a third ingredient to facilitate the emulsification process, minimising the need to continuously shake the dressing in a jar to keep it combined. I perhaps knew this at a cellular level but never the why. There were other examples of this scattered throughout the book. The why.

It was a book I read slowly, relishing each chapter, much the same way that a meal should be savoured and enjoyed. In her opening chapter she talks of ikigai - your purpose in living, whose fundamental concept is understanding that a happy life isn't a long-term project, but is an accumulation of daily experiences and small joys, taken where they are found. You get the sense that this is part of her philosophy of life; and its probably a good one to adopt personally.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a soul replenishing book this is.

A book that extols the virtues of those tiny elements that can be overlooked but can also bring so much joy. Virginia Trioli links the comfort and connection of food to many life experiences, ones we can all relate to.

It is those small, simple pleasures, like dipping your bread into the remains of a delicious sauce, that cement memories of flavour, friends, family and happiness in your mind.

It is such a lovely distraction from all of the current uncertainty that we find ourselves in. A balm for frazzled nerves.

[Shan Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always wondered if a memoir filled with so many personal stories could lack personality… sadly, I don’t anymore. It wasn’t terrible…just…kinda…well, detached. Like, for a memoir, it really lacked connection and relatability — like she kept the reader at a distance the whole time. But the stories about travelling were interesting and the cover is gorgeous, so that’s a positive.

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to read an autobiography from Virginia whose career I have followed through radio and tv, and admired as a forthright and engaging presenter.

Whilst the personal accounts are great, they are linked closely with food and the recipe at the end of each chapter is a satisfying way to wrap each account up.

4 stars.

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a non-lineal format, Virginia reflects on different moments in her life and the importance of food associated with it. Includes many yummy recipes, definitely a book from the heart.

Read by Suzie

[Lesley Shears · Rating 5 out of 5]

After 50+ years of putting food on the table, I thought I could cook but this book has been a revelation. Read it for Virginia's joy of life and easy story telling - it's like talking to a friend - and take note of the recipes along the way.

[Sally Hopwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. Am not a true foodie like Virginia and nor do I love cooking but I have always enjoyed listening to Virginia on radio and reading her articles. This book was a joy to read - and provided some wonderful insights into Virginia’s life and the role of food and cooking within it.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written.

[Gezza]

Enjoyable 😉

[Alma G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a joyous, wonderful read.

[Hutch Hussein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely quick and easy read and reminisce on side dishes. Loved her mention of food and its importance in bonding with her step kids.

[Jamie Raabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a light and pleasant read!

It has inspired me to get busy in the kitchen - I love the underlying them of this book and its focus on finding the small joys in life.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trioli on finding joy through food.

[Roxanne Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely devoured this. Loved loved loved it.

[Grace Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wouldn’t it be fab if Virginia ran the country

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars.

[Jade O'Donohue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cream is the cheapest date ever…

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. I didn’t realise it was a bit of a memoir with some recipes. It was okay but that’s all.