A book about the cuisine of Islamic countries has won the prize for Finland’s science book of the year 2010. The prestigious prize, worth 10,000 euros, was awarded to co-authors Helena Hallenberg and Irmeli Perho.
In their book Ruokakulttuuri islamin maissa, which is published by Gaudeamus, Doctors of Philosophy Hallenberg and Perho are not content to merely describe dishes or give recipes. Instead, food is a vehicle through which the history, culture and societies of the Islamic world are explored.
The prize is annually awarded by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies and the association of Finland’s science publishers, Suomen tiedekustantajien liitto. Outstanding science books published in the preceding year are eligible for the prize.
The science book of the year 2010 was chosen by a committee including Professors Henrik Meinander and Jouko Rikkinen from Helsinki as well as Professor Eeva Jokinen from Joensuu.