It was a morning of books and bites at the Ottawa Public Library’s main branch, where Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Chief Librarian and CEO Sonia Bebbington joined prominent chef Joe Thottungal for the launch of The Literary Feast 2026: Food, Wine and Words, coming May 6.

Invited guests helped themselves to the snacks and mango mimosas. The alcohol-free version was appropriate, given it was barely 11 a.m. and nobody wanted to get shushed in a library.

“We believe that food tells a story,” Thottungal, the executive chef and owner of Coconut Lagoon and Thali restaurants, said at the podium. “Every recipe carries memory, every dish carries heritage, and every shared table builds community.

“With The Literary Feast, we are bringing together two beautiful art forms, culinary craftsmanship and storytelling, under one roof.”

The special evening will take place in the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park. Tickets, priced at $75 each, are now on sale. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the St. Joe’s Women’s Centre, which offers support and services to disadvantaged women and their children.

Along with wine and food, the evening will feature chefs, a winemaker and culinary artists who have transformed their personal journeys into books “that inspire, educate and preserve culture,” said Thottungal. “Through their words, they pass on tradition. Through their food and wine, they bring those traditions to life.”

Thottungal has published two award-winning cookbooks, Coconut Lagoon: Recipes from a South Indian Kitchen and My Thali: A Simple Indian Kitchen. Both publications celebrate the South Indian flavors and traditions he grew up with.

He was joined at the launch by Ottawa chefs Justin Champagne-Lagarde (Perch) and Raghav Chaudhary (Aiāna) and Marlene Haley, owner of The Merry Dairy ice cream business, all of whom have published their own cookbooks. Also in attendance was one of Ottawa’s most famous cookbook authors, Margaret Dickenson, as well as flautist Flute Siva, who’s putting together an ensemble to perform a mix of Indian and jazz music at the May 6 event.

The mayor briefly reminded guests that Ottawa’s new flagship library, Ādisōke, is taking shape near LeBreton Flats. “Like everyone else, I’m very excited about the new library that will be opening soon,” he said.

Sutcliffe thanked Thottungal for being “a truly committed member of our community” and “someone who genuinely cares about our city and its most vulnerable residents.” Thottungal has been on the receiving end of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Order of Ottawa, AFP Ottawa’s Outstanding Individual Philanthropist, a United Way Community Builder Award and an honorary degree from Algonquin College.

“We know Joe for his exceptional work in the kitchen but what I really love and admire about Joe is his work in the community,” said the mayor. “He is a community builder; he has used food as a way to connect people, and this is one more example of that.”

The event is taking place during Ottawa’s 200th anniversary year, Sutcliffe pointed out. “Our story is not just told in history books and archives but it shows up around kitchen tables and recipes that families pass down from one generation to the next. The themes of food and literature work so well together. They’re both means of connecting people, of sharing our culture and stories and bringing people together around the table.”

Tickets and details for The Literary Feast 2026 are available online.

From left, cookbook authors and culinary artists Marlene Haley (The Merry Dairy) and Joe Thottungal (Coconut Lagoon, Thali), Jennifer Clark and Jane Tenthorey from event beneficiary St. Joe’s Women’s Centre, and Justin Champagne-Lagarde (Perch), who’s also a chef and cookbook author, at the launch event for The Literary Feast 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

A collection of cookbooks on display at the launch for The Literary Feast set for May 6 at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Joe Thottungal hosted a launch event at the Ottawa Public Library to promote The Literary Feast 2026: Food, Wine and Words, slated for May 6 at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Margaret Dickenson, cookbook author of From the Ambassador’s Table, smiles after being recognized by chef Joe Thottungal during launch event for The Literary Feast. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe shares a laugh while in conversation with the Ottawa Public Library’s Chief Librarian and CEO Sonia Bebbington at the launch event for The Literary Feast 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Syntax Strategic, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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