Araxi and Blue Water Cafe win Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

A note from TopTable proprietor, Jack Evrensel:

“Cookbooks may take years to compile and months to edit, but their real joy comes when you bring them home, and just cook.”

Our entire Top Table team is delighted to share with you that our two recently released cookbooks, Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant and Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbook have won Gourmand World Cookbook Awards for Best Chef Book in Canada and Best Seafood and Fish Book in Canada respectively, joining West: The Cookbook, which won Most Innovative Cookbook in Canada in 2008.

This great news came to us just yesterday from Madrid, and we wanted to let you know right away.
Araxi and Blue Water Cafe will now be entered in the Gourmand Best in the World competition, with the results announced at the Paris Cookbook Fair on February 11th, 2010.
I would like to especially acknowledge the efforts of chefs James Walt and Frank Pabst, each of whom spent many hours relentlessly testing their recipes, and making them accessible for the home cook.
Wishing you and your family a warm and happy holiday season.

With best regards,

Jack Evrensel
Proprietor

Island Lake Lodge Cookbook Class

Ski buffs may be familiar with stunning Island Lake Lodge near Fernie, B.C. Originally known for its world class ski amenities, the restaurant at Island Lake Lodge has become well known for its decadent local, regional cuisine. On Wednesday, October  21 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., drop by for a signed copy of Island Lake Lodge: The Cookbook by Keith Liggett and meet Head Chef Keith Farkas and General Manager Steve Kujit. This is a free event.

On Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 p.m., Chef Glenys Morgan gets crafty in the Books to Cooks kitchen with Jam It, Cure It, Pickle It and Other Cooking Projects by Karen Solomon. Chef Glenys will demonstrate several better-than-store-bought kitchen creations–just in time to put up the last of the fall harvest and to start planning culinary holiday gifts. The cost of this event is $95.00.

After offering last Saturday’s Essential Baking class that covered the basics of baking, we are pleased to offer Better Baking with Chef Glenys Morgan this coming Saturday, October 24 at 10:30 a.m. This week, our Saturday Baking class will feature Bakewise by Shirley Corriher and will cover the why’s and how’s of baking. Chef Glenys bakes her way through Bakewise and will discuss and demonstrate unique and exclusive science-based baking tips to ensure successful home baked goods. This event is $90.00.

For more information about these and other events, visit our website at www.bookstocooks.com and please call 604-688-6755 to register.

Mid Autumn Treasures from Books to Cooks

Autumn in Vancouver is filled with little gems: warm sunny afternoons, the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables and colourful fall leaves. Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks has a few mid-Autumn treasures in our Events schedule to share with you:

Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30 p.m., Slow: Life In a Tuscan Town Slideshow Evening
Join author Douglas Gayeton for a magical journey to a small Tuscan town through a slideshow featuring images and narrative from Slow: Life In a Tuscan Town. Slow uses beautiful photography and mixed media to capture the traditional seasonal rhythms of this old-world town. Guests will enjoy a delightful Tuscan-inspired menu while taking in the sites of Tuscany.
The cost of this event is $75.00.

Thursday, October 15 at 6:30 p.m., Araxi at Books to Cooks
This evening Whistler’s Araxi Restaurant celebrates the launch of its book, Araxi: Seasonal Recipes by Chef James Walt at Books to Cooks. Chef James will demonstrate and serve a menu that reflects some of Araxi’s award-winning recipes that focus on local seafood and produce. Tickets are $115.00

Friday, October 16 at 6:00 p.m., Kitchen Scraps Art Night Out
Author and illustrator, Pierre Lamielle gets scrappy at Books to Cooks with his book, Kitchen Scraps. Pierre, known for his witty cartoons, combines his culinary training and his artistic talent in Kitchen Scraps, a collection of creative recipes and clever illustrations. Join us for a deliciously fun evening of great food, humour and hands-on art. The cost of this evening is $55.00.

Saturday, October 17 at 10:30 a.m. Saturday Baking Series: Essential Baking
Chef Glenys Morgan demonstrates the essentials of baking using the newly published Baking by James Peterson. Peterson’s books are best known for their well written, concise explanation of techniques and illustrations. Chef Glenys will teach guests several of these techniques to give them a strong foundation in being a successful home-baker. Cost is $85.00.

Sunday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m. Afternoon Tea with Lucy
Books to Cooks is pleased to host afternoon tea with one of Canada’s favourite food writers, Lucy Waverman and her latest book, A Year in Lucy’s Kitchen. This book takes us through the year, month by month, with innovative recipes and ideas for using the best ingredients available at any given time of the year. Join us for tea and goodies, a signed copy of A Year in Lucy’s Kitchen and a chance to meet Lucy. Tickets are $60.00.

For more information about these and other events, please visit our website at www.bookstocooks.com and call 604-688-6755 to register.

Slow Cooker Comfort Food by Judith Finalyson

275 Soul-Satisfying Recipes – by Judith Finlayson

“My concept of comfort food is warm and welcoming and provides a sense of sustenance — a kind of culinary haven in a heartless world. But most of all it is delicious. When things seem grim, there is nothing like a mouth-watering bite of something delectable to set things right.  Or, as the ever-elegant M.F.K. Fisher reflected, “At the end [of a good meal] you know that Fate cannot harm you, for you have dined.”” – Judith Finlayson

This outstanding collection of 275 recipes combines the convenience of the slow cooker with dishes that make us feel better, evoking the warmth of home and family.  With everyday favorites, elegant entertaining, and meals that embrace a diversity of international flavours, Slow Cooker Comfort Food is a perfect addition to the kitchen, (especially during those frenetic back-to-school days,) and is destined to become a favourite in Canadian homes.

Responding to requests from her readers, in a unique colour guide on every page, Judith has included tips on halving recipes for single people and couples and has highlighted dishes suitable for entertaining as well as vegan and vegetarian friendly recipes, and a comprehensive feature on “understanding  your slow cooker” and food safety.

Judith Finlayson is a food writer, journalist and author.  After a long career as an author, journalist, editor, speechwriter and consultant, Judith Finlayson decided to transform her passionate love of cooking and interest in the culture of food into a second career. Her slow cooker books, The Healthy Slow Cooker, 175 Essential Slow Cooker Classics, The Best Diabetes Slow Cooker Recipes, The 150 Best Slow Cooker Recipes and Delicious & Dependable Slow Cooker Recipes have now sold over 750,000 copies.  She is also the author of 125 Best Rotisserie Oven Recipes and The Convenience Cook and The Complete Whole Grains Cookbook.  Judith Finlayson lives in Toronto.

Judith will be in Vancouver September 30^th and October 1^st and available for interviews.

She will also be teaching at Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks Wednesday September 30^th 6:30pm

Books To Cooks

News from Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks

Mark September 20 to 27 on your calendars! It’s Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks’ Annual Cookbook Sale. We are offering a 25% discount on all regular priced merchandise with deeper discounts on selected items. Magazines and cards will be discounted by 10%. Shop early for the best selection.

This Autumn we celebrate locavore eating: buying and eating food that is grown and produced close to home. We begin our season with some upcoming classes:

On Monday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m., author and chef Jeff Crump, formerly of Lumiere, Chez Panisse and The Fat Duck, presents his book, Earth To Table. He will demonstrate recipes that celebrate great food while being earth friendly. Wine for the evening will be sponsored by Farmstead Wines. The cost of the evening is $105.00.

In Season by well-known UK author Sarah Raven combines gardening with eating seasonally in one beautiful and informative book. In Season weaves stories, tips and recipes into a lush volume on how to grow and eat a bounty of fresh produce year round. On Thursday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m., Chef Glenys Morgan shows guests how to make the most of fresh produce every season and how to feature fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit as the centrepiece of every meal. Tickets are $105.00.

On Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. author Terry Walters joins us with her book, Clean Food. Clean Food is a book dedicated to improving your health, the environment and future through eating seasonal, local and sustainable food. This evening, Terry will discuss and demonstrate innovative and delicious recipes that are prepared in harmony with the changing seasons. The cost of this class is $85.00.

For more information about these and other events, visit our website at www.bookstocooks.com and call 604-688-6755 to register.

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