LECTURES

I love to share my knowledge and inspire curiosity by presenting food history
lectures​and workshops at libraries, community and 
​senior centers, and for hobbyist groups.

Request a Booking

Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

     ​Since the 1950s, the name Duncan Hines has been synonymous with boxed cake mix. But who was Duncan Hines? And how did he influence American food history? Join writer and history enthusiast Amy Gail Hansen for an in-depth look at this Chicago-based traveling salesman’s fascinating life, from the coveted restaurant recommendations included in his Christmas card that became "Adventures in Good Eating" to the products still bearing his name on today’s grocery shelves.

Audience: Adult, Seniors
Length: 75 minutes (60 minute presentation, plus 15 minutes
​Q & A)
Format: Power Point, Lecture,
​Q & A

A Taste of New Orleans

Sweet Treats of the Midwest

NEW: Debuting
​February 26, 2025
​        Step into the French Quarter and explore the culinary history of the Big Easy with former NOLA resident and food history enthusiast, Author Amy Gail Hansen, whose novel The Butterfly Sister is set in New Orleans. Learn the compelling origins of the city’s most celebrated gastronomic treasures—Café au lait & Beignets, Gumbo and King Cake—as you travel from the  iconic Cafe Du Monde to the heart of the Bayou.

Audience: Adult, Seniors
Length: 75 minutes (60 minute presentation, plus 15 minutes
​Q & A)
Format: Power Point, Lecture,
Q & A

          Join author and food enthusiast Amy Gail Hansen as she uncovers the fascinating history of four desserts all originating in the Midwest, from Bertha Palmer’s brownie to the invention of the Twinkie, from the birth of Rice Krispie Treats to the creation of the Bundt cake. Amy will also share tricks to making seasonal variations of these treats, perfect for celebrations and holidays.





​Audience: Adult, Seniors
Length: 75 minutes (60 minute presentation, plus 15 minutes
​Q & A)
Format: Power Point, Lecture,
Q & A

UPCOMING EVENTS...

Thursday, January 30, 2025 @ 7pm
Itasca Community Library
Sweet Treats fo the Midwest

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 @7pm
VIRTUAL (Zoom)
Lake Forest Library
Sweet Treats fo the Midwest

Wed. Feb 12, 2025 @ 1pm
​Glenview Park District
The Eastwing Wing Senior Center
Sweet Treats
of the Midwest

Thursday February 13, 2025 @ 11am
Cary Community Center
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 @ 7pm
​Glenview Public Library
A Taste of New Orleans (NEW PROGRAM)

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 @ 7pm
​Chestnut Square at the Glen
A Taste of New Orleans

Friday April 4, 2025 @ 10 am
Main Township Mainstreamers
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

Thursday April 10,2025 @ 6:30 pm
Green Hills Public Library, Palos Hills
Sweet Treats of the Midwest

Wednesday May 21 @ 2pm
Villa Park Public Library
Sweet Treats of the Midwest

Thursday
July 17,2025 @6pm
Creekside Cookers
Del Webb, Elgin, IL
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

Tuesday, Sept 30, 2025 @ 7pm
​Chestnut Square at the Glen
Glenview, IL
​Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

PAST EVENTS...

​Monday, November 18, 2024 @ Noon
Town & Country Public Library
Elburn, IL
Sweet Treats of the Midwest

​Wednesday, November 6, 2024 @ 1pm
Sisterhood Ezra Habonim,
the Niles Township Jewish Congregation
4500 Dempster Street
Skokie, IL 60076
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

​Monday, November 4, 2024 @ 1pm
Prospect Heights Public Library
Sweet Treats
of the Midwest

Wednesday October 16 @ 6pm
Villa Park Library
Sweet Treats
of the Midwest

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024 @ 1:30 pm
Vernon Township Community Service Building 
2900 N. Main Street, Buffalo Grove
Sweet Treats
of the Midwest

Tuesday July 9, 2024 @ 2pm
Park Ridge Public Library
Sweet Treats
of the Midwest


Thursday June 27, 2024 @ 7pm
Elmhurst Public Library
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix


Tuesday June 18, 2024@ 7pm
Palatine Public Library
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

Monday May 6, 2024 @ 7pm
Indian Trails Library (Wheeling, IL)
Sweet Treats of the Midwest

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 @ 1:30 pm
Geneva Public Library
Sweet Treats of the Midwest


Tuesday May 21, 2024 @1pm
The Hadassah Society  Temple Beth Israel 
​Skokie, IL
​Duncan Hines:
More Than Cake Mix


Thursday May 23, 2024 @ 6pm
Oak Park Public Library
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix


​The East Wing Glenview Senior Center- April 10, 2024 @ 1pm
Duncan Hines: More Than Cake Mix

​Bartlett Library-February 21, 2024 @ 7pm
Sweet Treats of the Midwest

​Gail Borden Public Library-February 14, 2024 @ 7pm
Sweet Treats of the Midwest-ZOOM 

Cary Area Library-January 17, 2024 @ 7pm
Sweet Treats of the Midwest

Fremont Public Library - November 13,2023 @ 7 pm

JCC Chicago-November 15, 2023 @ 12pm

​Vernon Area Public LIbrary-December 5, 2023 @ 1 pm

Geneva Public Library District-October 5, 2023 @ 1pm

Cary Area Public Library-September 20, 2023 @ 7pm

Elgin Public Library-August 29, 2023 @ 7pm

Park Ridge Public Library-August 24, 2023 @ 7pm

Vernon Area Public Library-July 25, 2023 @ 1pm

Bartlett Public Library-July 19, 2023 @ 7pm

Indian Trails Library (Wheeling)-June 26 @ 2pm

Prospect Heights Public Library-June 12, 2023 @ 1pm

Algonquin Library-January 11, 2023 @ 6:30 pm

Fremont Public Library-November 28, 2023 @ 7pm

I have also presented lectures, facilitated 
workshops or served on speaker panels
​at the following venues:

• Curious Kids Museum Benefit 
• ​Des Plaines Public Library
  
• Ela Public Library​
• Glenside Public Library
• Illinois Library Association
• ​Love is Murder Conference​​
•  Barrington Writers' Workshop

• Palatine High School
• Off-Campus Writer's Workshop
• ​Palatine Library
• Printer's Row Literary Fest
• Schaumburg Library
• Wooddale Public Library
• ​Woodstock Public Library