The Pavlova Story
While Australians and New Zealanders have long debated which country invented the pavlova – a large meringue dessert cake said to emulate the lightness of the famous ballerina Anna Pavlova – the real story behind the dessert has often been overlooked.
In The Pavlova Story, Helen Leach traces the origins of the pavlova, from the ballerina’s visit to the Antipodes to the emergence of three distinct pavlova types. Along the way, she uncovers the contributions of a gelatine manufacturer, a Dunedin spinster and numerous inventive New Zealand housewives.
This fascinating work of culinary history shows how creative cooks shaped and reshaped the recipe, transforming a fashionable afternoon tea cake into New Zealand’s most iconic dessert.
Winner, ‘Food Book of the Year’, New Zealand Guild of Food Writers’ Culinary Quills Awards 2009
Lifestyle and Contemporary Finalist, Montana New Zealand Book Awards 2009
‘The Pavlova Story will set your sweet tooth singing. From gelatin to meringue, little to large, uncooked to microwaved, Leach explores pavlovas of all shapes, sizes and ingredients ... Leach’s thorough research is relayed in a relaxed, readable style and is nicely complemented by a range of colour illustrations. Even more delightful is the inclusion of classic pavlova recipes – converted to metric, remade and photographed by food-writer Mary Browne.’ – New Zealand Memories, Issue 80 October/November 2009
‘The Pavlova Story is superbly written, informed and informative, making it highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in distinctive regional and cultural culinary traditions in general, and the pavlova tea cake in particular.’ – Wisconsin Bookwatch, November 2009 (Midwest Book Review)
‘The carefully placed illustrations, old advertisements, and book covers from Leach’s collection enliven her book and make it fun. Written in a style that is somewhat chatty, it will appeal to both interested cooks and more serious students of culinary history with its well researched and documented details.’ – Gastronomica, Summer 2009
Helen Leach
Helen Leach ONZM (1945–2026) was an Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at the University of Otago. Her research explored the history of food, cooking and kitchens in New Zealand. Her book The Pavlova Story traced the origins of the pavlova. She was a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
More About Helen Leach
From Kai to Kiwi Kitchen 
Kitchens 
The Twelve Cakes of Christmas