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Biography & Memoir M. F. K. Fisher: Among the Pots and Pans, Celebrating her Kitchens Joan Reardon July 3rd this year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher. This charming book captures the culinary legend's spirit through her many kitchens. Beautiful water colours, 27 recipes and of course her kitchens recreated through Reardon's loving celebration of Fisher's life. A wonderful gift or a treat for yourself. Hardcover, 170 pp, $27.95. Secret Ingredients The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink Edited by David Remnick With essays from A. J. Liebling, M.F.K. Fisher, Adam Gopnik, Calvin Trillin, Ogden Nash, Mark Singer, Nora Ephron, Julian Barnes to name but a few, need we say more?  Yes, we can, don't forget the cartoons. Hardcover, 583 pp. $35.95. Table Talk A.A. Gill Subtitled Sweet and Sour, Salt and Bitter, this collection of columns from the Sunday Times and Tatler reveals the peripatetic restaurant/television critic at his rapier-witted best. Whether whale or Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Gill can mine any dish for the greater truth about a culture. Hardcover, 271 pp. $34.95. The Tenth Muse - My Life in Food Judith Jones Legendary editor of ground breaking cooks such as Madhur Jaffrey, Claudia Roden, Edna Lewis, Joan Nathan and Marion Cunningham. But it is her early work work as editor of Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking that created publishing and gastronomical history. This is a long overdue charming memoir from Jones, who has played a major role in the American food revolution. Hardcover, 290 pp. $29.95. Spilling the Beans Clarissa Dickson Wright The living half of the revered Two Fat Ladies, Clarissa Dickson Wright’s unflinching memoir is full of paradises gained, lost, and regained. The offspring of a gifted but alcoholic surgeon and an Australian heiress, she became, at age 21,  the youngest woman ever called to the Bar. After her legal career drowned in a sea of alcohol following the sudden death of her mother, Dickson Wright found solace and then fame, though not always fortune, in cooking. Paper, 328pp, $29.95. Week In Week Out Simon Hopkinson Drawn from his columns in The Independent, the 52 seasonal “ stories” features a current event, ingredient, or iconic dish. As in his earlier books (including Roast Chicken and Other Stories,$29.95), Hopkinson celebrates enduring culinary pleasure over fleeting culinary fashion. In the wake of the declaration of Roast Chicken as most useful cookbook ever, this book is more glamorous than Hopkinson’s earlier books with quality paper and glossy colour photos yet content still trumps looks. Hardcover, 255 pp, $54.95. The Fight for Fordhall Farm Ben & Charlotte Hollins The Fight for Fordhall Farm is the inspiring tale of how a young brother and sister saved their Shropshire farm, in the family for seven centuries - from the threat of land developers and the multinationals. With the help of more than 8000 investors they saved their home and livelihood by setting up the not-for-profit Fordhall Community Land Initiative. Supporters include Prince Charles, Sting, and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Colour photos. HC, 336 pp, $34.95. Gordon Ramsay's Playing with Fire Gordon Ramsay Following in the wake of Humble Pie (aka Roasting in Hell’s Kitchen, $32.95), the second installment of Gordon Ramsay’s autobiography, Gordon Ramsay’s Playing with Fire, focuses more on the business aspects of his life from how he went from sous-chef to chef-owner to international television star with a Bentley in the drive and two kitchens in his house. Coloured slices of Ramsay’s life. Hardcover, 296 pp. $44.95. Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant    Edited by Jenni Ferrari-Adler Subtitled Confessions of Cooking for One and Dining Alone, this collection, sometimes poignant, often exhilarating, confirms that eating alone and being lonely do not need to equate. M.F.K, Fisher, Ann Patchett, Laurie Colwin, Marcella Hazan, Mary Cantwell, and Nora Ephron are among the stellar writers who have realized the pleasures and myriad ways of feeding oneself. Hardcover, 272 pp. $28.50. Sotheby's Cafe Cookbook With seasonal recipes from head chef Laura Greenfield and wine selections from wine department head, Serena Sutcliffe, this book features a double celebration: the 10th anniversary of the venerable auction house’s café, and of the intersection of food and art. In support of the latter there are essays from such contributors as food historian, Sara Paston-Williams, artist Vik Muniz, and Mrs. Beeton’s biographer, Kathryn Hughes.The recipes themselves feature a blend of the traditional and contemporary - asparagus, smoked salmon, poached egg & maltaise sauce, Eton mess with hazelnut crunch. Colour photos of food , art and objects. Hardcover, 160 pp. $56.50. Alice Waters and Chez Panisse Tom McNamee Even authorized biographies can make headlines The shock horror here is the revelation that some of Chez Panisses's early cash infusions came via freelance pharmaceutical sales, albeit the hippy variety rather than South American cartels. The transformation from wide-eyed student arriving in France with little knowledge of food to a restaurateur who changed the way Americans view food makes for fascinating reading. Now that we have Alice's version of the life and times of Chez Panisse as well as Jeremiah Tower's rather hissier take on the matter (California Dish, $20), we probably need a third view from a neutral party for the true picture. Black and white photos. Hardcover, 380 pp, $35.00. Chef’s Story Edited by Dorothy Hamilton and Patric Kuh In the companion to the French Culinary Institute’s Public Television series, 27 celebrated chefs, many of whom have worked with each other, tell the story of how they came to the food industry and made it their home. In a more narrative and, at once, in a both more and less specific way, Chef’s Story reiterates for the general public what Becoming a Chef (Dornenburg and Page, $35.99) imparts to those working, or wanting to work, in the industry. The moral of both is that being a chef is a labour of love with a high price attached, both in a business and personal sense. Black and white chef photos. Hardcover, 279 pp, $34.95. The Last Chinese Chef Nicole Mones The author of Lost in Translation blends friendship, love, and food into a voyage of self-discovery. Drawn to China in a quest to unravel a paternity claim against her late husband combined with an assignment to write about a rising culinary star, heroine Maggie McElroy immersion in a different culture brings her a new understanding of self. Hardcover, 278 pp. $32.95. Roasting in Hell's Kitchen Gordon Ramsay Titled Humble Pie in the UK, Gordon Ramsay's autobiography is an unflinching look back at a difficult home life, the football career that almost was, and the wildly successful cooking career that is. Yes, he employs the "s" and "f" words almost as frequently in writing as he does in speaking. Colour and black and white photos trace his life from the angelic-looking four year old he was to the furrow-browed businessman he has become. Softcover, 284 pp. $17.50. The 100-Mile Diet Alisa Smith & J.B. MacKinnon Imagine going a whole year without olive oil or citrus fruit. In fact , within living memory people who lived in northern areas did do just that. After learning that most ingredients for the North American diet travel 1500 miles from earth to table, Smith and MacKinnon decided to try a year of eating locally. Becoming "celebrities of the blogosphere" in the process, they ate only what was grown within a 100 mile radius of their Vancouver home. This book reveals the pleasures, pitfalls, and environmental implications of the "100- mile diet." Hardcover, 266 pp, $32.95. Alice Let's Eat Calvin Trillin One of the great humorists of his generation, Calvin Trillin is also one of the champion connoisseurs, particularly of Kansas City barbecue. Originally published in 1978, Alice, Let’s Eat is a side-splittingly funny account of Trillin’s cross cultural culinary adventures. More than that it is a love story, a tribute to his wife, Alice, who played the voice-of-reason George Burns part to Trillin’s madcap Gracie Allen. For anyone already familiar with the book, a re-reading is especially poignant in light of Alice’s death in 2001. Softcover, 182 pp. $16.00. Feeding A Yen Calvin Trillin A familiar voice at The New Yorker for 40 years, Trillin treats us to another journey in gastronomy, particularly dishes of local specialty across the U.S. Tantalizing. Hardcover, 197 pp. $34.95. Back to top

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The Hour of the Goddess Chitrita Bannerji Part memoir, part anthropological study, opening this slim paperback invites the reader into a rich experience of Bengali food and culture. With personal rembrances, recipes, and social commentary Banerji examines the relationships between food, art, and ritual among women in Bengal. Among other topics, she covers religious restrictions and obligations and the various customs associated with eating. Black and white photographs. Softcover, 144 pp. $15.00. Eat Pray Love Elizabeth Gilbert A New York Times bestseller about Gilbert's travels through Italy, India, and Indonesia, and rediscovering herself after divorce and depression. Engrossing and funny, with the occasional profound spiritual insight about life and love. Softcover, 334 pp. $18.50. The Diary of an Honest Mum Jools Oliver Funny, honest, helpful and surprising, Jamie’s wife Jools’ diary of pregnancy and motherhood is charming and informative. Lots of helpful hints, laughs and reality, with kid friendly recipes and candid suggestions of what not to buy make this a must for new or expectant mums. Hardcover, 315 pp. $31.95. Julie & Julia Julie Powell Originally conceived as a blog, the book is disappointing for fans of Julia Child. Hardcover, 309 pp, $32.95.     How I Learned to Cook Edited by Kimberly Withspoon & Peter Meehan The delicious sequel to Don't Try This at Home. How I learned to cook takes us inside the Culinary Educations of the Worlds Greatest chefs. 285 pp. $24.95. Back to top

Insatiable Gael Greene A sort-of biography from the New York magazine restaurant critic this volume includes her rise to the top of the gourmand heap, intimate portraits of culinary stars, and detailed remembrances of meals at the best of New York's restaurants. Hardcover, 368 pp. $34.95. Life, Death & Bialys Dylan Shaffer An intensely moving memoir of an dying father and his estranged son reconnecting over a weeklong bread-making course at the French Culinary Institue. A tale of family, forgiveness, and the restorative power of food. 264 pp. $29.95. Heat Bill Buford If you have now finished My Life in France and are looking for another food book to read then pick up this latest arrival. It couldn't be more different, but no less passionate, or well written. A highly readable book from this engaging former New Yorker writer. When Mario Batali invites amateur home cook Buford to work at Babbo, well, you can imagine what ensues when you have a dysfunctional group of people in a cramped area with sharp objects, hot equipment, who really don't like each other, yes, welcome to the Babbo kitchen! Buford combines humour, kitchen soap opera drama, the common goal of perfection on every plate and a highly volatile Batali to keep the rollicking pace. When Buford heads off to Italy however, the pace lags somewhat as he sets to work with the Dante quoting butcher. In spite of this his layman's curiosity as to the origins of Italian food, ingredients & techniques both at Babbo and in Italy keeps the reader engaged. And you will never again order pasta after 10 pm in a restaurant! Nasty Bits Anthony Bourdain Bourdain is back with his candid and over the top passion for food. A writer/chef who is never afraid to take on the establishment and the activists, individually or at the same time, in the quest for taste. Back to top

Climbing the Mango Trees Madhur Jaffrey From the award winning actress and cookbook author this is an engaging story of growing up in India in an age and society that no longer exists. Of course the writing is full of food memories, the tastes, the smells, the colours, thank goodness recipes have been included! Hardcover, 264 pp, $44.95. Few Eggs and No Oranges: The Diaries Vere Hodgson 1940-1945 Persephone Press's elegant re-issue of Vere Hodgson’s wartime diary perfectly captures the daily fight of ordinary citizens trying to maintain their regular lives against a backdrop of bombs, rubble and food shortages. Softcover, 590 pp, $34.95. Dish Marion Kane Sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes amusing, this collection presents the best columns from veteran Toronto Star food writer Marion Kane. Whether reminiscing about the food of her youth or her friendship with Julia Child, Kane is always charmingly entertaining. Recipes, no photos. Hardcover, 304 pp, $24.95. Around the Table Lela Nargi Fifteen women from diverse backgrounds -- science mathematics, editing, marketing, writing, real estate -- share with the readers their perspective on the part food plays in their lives illustrated by recipes both sweet and savoury -- green tomato chutney, foie gras sandwiches, bread pudding and sand tarts. Softcover, 208 pp, $28.00. Of Pageants and Picnics Elizabeth David Part of the Pocket Penguin series in celebration of the publisher's 70th anniversary, this mini Elizabeth David mini-sampler features a selection of writings on al fresco dining from some of her most admired works (published by Penguin, of course) Softcover, 57 pp, $4.00. Tough Cookies Simon Wright Those who were fascinated with Anthony Bourdain's tales from the kitchen, Kitchen Confidential ($19.95) should find Simon Wright's tale of the rise of four of Britain's top chefs (Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, Shaun Hill and Marcus Wareing) equally entertaining. B & W portraits of the chefs. Hardcover, 197 pp, $19.99.   At Grandmother's Table Edited by Ellen Perry Berkeley Tales of ingenuity, of triumph, of feminism before it was invented, of adversity and woe along with the recipes which most conjure their presence memorialize several generations of grandmothers. Jane Jacobs, herself an octogenerian and whose grandmother was born in1842, is one of the contributers. B & W photos. E is for Eating An Alphabet of Greed Tom Parker Bowles A future king's stepson with something of a Good Time Charlie reputation, nevertheless, Tom Parker Bowles can really write. His evocative musings on everything from doner kebabs to quiche and the horrors of school food are as enchanting as Tim Rice's whimsical illustrations. Hardcover, 174 pp, $28.95. Come to the Table Louise Luiggi The co-owner of the Nottingham shop/restaurant, French Living, Louise Luiggi chronicles her love affair with the French way of life from her youthful experience as an au pair. She includes recipes for many of the French classics such as l 'échalote and mousse au chocolat. Hardcover, 291 pp, $29.95. Last Chance to Eat Gina Mallet It is not just you -- apples, eggs, tomatoes , indeed many of our most common foods, do not taste the same anymore. Through the memory filter of English food after the second world war, the former theatre critic examines how we veered off onto the road to bland. Hardcover, 384 pp, $34.99. softcover, $21.00. A Fool and Forty Acres Geoff Heinricks Occasionally dry (the historical bits),often seductive(the bits about grafting), this tale of a fledgling vineyard in Ontario’s Prince Edward county is a must read for anyone who has thought of chucking city life for farming. Softcover, 275pp, $21.99. The Duchess of Devonshire's Chatsworth Cookery Book The Duchess of Devonshire If one can manage an army of household help, then one should be able to write a cookbook even if one last cooked during World War II! The author's well-honed wit Garnishes dishes that range from the nursery to the banquet table. Hardcover, 208 pp, $24.95. Counting My Chickens The Duchess of Devonshire A lack of formal education is no barrier to good writing. Like her sisters Nancy and Jessica Mitford, the Duchess is a wittily brilliant essayist whether describing the joys of Elvis Presley's voice or of raising sheep and chickens. Hardcover, 192 pp, $33.00. Remembrance of Things Paris Ruth Reichl, editor Although representing six decades of Gourmet observers of the Paris culinary world, much of the space belongs to Joseph Wechsberg and the 1970’s. Includes some recipes. Hardcover, 344 pp, $37.95. Women Who Eat Edited By Leslie Miller Comprised of honest and amusing essays by an eclectic array of women writers, this collection describes culture, motherhood and social activism through food. Delicious and insightful. Softcover, 281 pp. $23.95.   To Experience Wonder: Edna Staebler, A Life Veronica Ross A glimpse into the extraordinary life of a Canadian culinary icon who found her calling late in life. Hardcover, 326 pp. $35.00. Toast Nigel Slater Nigel Slater has long been regarded as a national treasure in his native Britain for his witty musings about food and this book demonstrates why. Discover the author as a fussy eater living in a strictly chops-n-peas household, then developing his tastebuds to become one of the most respected food writers in the world. Hardcover, 247 pp., $39.95. Wife Of The Chef Courtney Febbroriello Courtney Febbroriello has only a passing interest in food and readily admits that she is a picky eater, but she married a chef and helps him operate a small restaurant and catering business. She has candidly described the fierce competition for ingredients, wines and employees; the politics of reviewing; the financial headaches; and, very briefly, the quirky regulars and indecisive customers. Hardcover, 281 pp. $36.00. Kitchen Confidential Anthony Bourdain The tales of sex, drugs and rock 'n'roll behind closed kitchen kitchen doors has restaurant workers nodding their heads knowingly. On the other hand, after reading this the general public may think twice about dining out. Softcover, $19.95. Comfort Me With Apples Ruth Reichl This delightful second autobiography continues where Tender at the Bone left off, chonicling her adventures in life, love, and, of course, food. Funny and touching, it is a must for foodies everywhere. Softcover, $21.00.   Tender at the Bone Ruth Reichl Reichl's witty look at not only her life but her life in the context of California's food awakening in the 70's and 80's. $20.00. Best Thing I Ever Tasted: The Secret of Food Sallie Tisdale A lively mixture of history, memoir, sociology and family recipe. This highly readable book explores our public and private attitudes about food with discussion on topics ranging from Betty Crocker to factors behind our food choices, and our desire to save recipes we'll likely never use. Softcover, $19.00. Becoming a Chef Andrew Dorenburg & Karen Page Subtitled Recipes and Reflections from America's Leading Chefs, this book is packed with tips and inspiration for anyone thinking about entering the culinary industry. $41.95   Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen Laurie Colwin Equal parts cookbook and memoir, Laurie shares her culinary triumphs along with adventures in eating such as "Repulsive Dinners" and "Stuffed Breast of Veal: A Bad Idea." $18.50. Harvest of the Cold Month Elizabeth David Softcover, $24.99. Out of print.   Man Who Ate Toronto James Chatto If you've ever dined out in Toronto, you'll want to read this book. The restaurant critic James Chatto's memoirs are witty, urbane and eminently readable. $22.99. Out of print. Back to top

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Last modified June 17, 2008 .