Freshly Pressed : Blog

This is one fresh food & beverage blog!

Taste Canada 2021 Shortlist Announced

Taste Canada announces the 2021 shortlist of Canadian cookbooks competing for Canada’s one and only food writing awards. 

In yet another year where cooking has taken centre stage in the homes of Canadians across the country, it has never been more important to promote the incredible Canadian cookbook authors that inspire our great nation to come together through their love for cooking, and so, we are proud to introduce the theme for this year: One Canada. One Kitchen.

Think we are kidding about people cooking in record numbers?

According to BookNet Canada, “In our Canadian Leisure & Reading Study 2020, we asked Canadians about the leisure activities they participated in on a weekly and daily basis in 2020: cooking was in the top three on both lists. Every week, 86% of Canadians can be found in their kitchens, closely behind the 87% of Canadians who listen to music, and the 92% who watch TV, movies, or videos weekly. Day by day, 68% of Canadians are cooking, not far from the 74% of Canadians who browse social media or the web, and the 76% who watch TV, movies, or videos every day.” 1.5 million cookbooks were sold in Canada in 2020 at a value of $54 million.

That’s a lot of inspired cooking!

“We all heard about the shortage of some specific ingredients at grocery stores such as flour and yeast which were flying off the shelves, yes, together with toilet paper! Baking and cooking have been a much-welcomed source of enjoyment and “togetherness” during these past several months,” said Karen Baxter, Director, Taste Canada.

“Families found the time to dust off old recipes and proudly showcase their gastronomic creations over Zoom calls. Canadians have found inspiration to plan, prepare, and re-gather at the table. This ancient custom, known as food prep, has been rekindled. That is welcomed news. Canadian culinary authors continue to provide unparalleled content for your kitchen journey, and we are happy to have the honour to showcase them,” said Karen.

Each year, Taste Canada presents awards to some of the best cookbook authors in both official languages. The jury is comprised of volunteers from Canada’s culinary profession, appointed by an independent selection committee.

Now in its 24th year, the Taste Canada Awards / Les Lauréats des Saveurs du Canada (tastecanada.org) announced the shortlist of cookbooks competing for a coveted culinary writing award as well as the virtual gala hosts. 73 cookbooks entered the competition, featuring authors from a record-setting 9 provinces. The shortlist narrowed the competition to 46 entries, featuring authors from 6 provinces.

Glass clink please…


2021 SHORTLIST

English-Language Books / Les livres langue anglaise

Culinary Narratives

Flat Out Delicious: Your Definitive Guide to Saskatchewan’s Food Artisans by Jenn Sharp, TouchWood Editions, Victoria

Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest- Free Vegetable Garden by Niki Jabbour, Thomas Allen & Son (Storey Publishing), Salem, MA

Peace by Chocolate: The Hadhad Family’s Remarkable Journey from Syria by Jon Tattrie, Goose Lane Editions, Fredericton

The Kitchen: A Journey Through History in Search of the Perfect Design by John Ota, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver

The Taste of Longing: Ethel Mulvany and Her Starving Prisoners of War Cookbook by Suzanne Evans, Between the Lines, Toronto


General Cookbooks

Diala’s Kitchen: Plant-Forward and Pescatarian Recipes Inspired by Home and Travel by Diala Canelo, Penguin Canada, Toronto

Flavorbomb: A Rogue Guide to Making Everything Taste Better by Bob Blumer, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver

Hawksworth: The Cookbook by David Hawksworth, Jacob Richler and Stéphanie Nöel, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver

Mandy’s Gourmet Salads: Recipes for Lettuce and Life by Mandy Wolfe, Rebecca Wolfe and Meredith Erickson, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver

Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery by Matty Matheson, Abrams Books, New York, NY


Regional/Cultural Cookbooks

Bisous & Brioche: Classic French Recipes and Family Favorites from a Life in France by Laura Bradbury and Rebecca Wellman, TouchWood Editions, Victoria ***
Eating Out Loud: Bold Middle Eastern Flavors for All Day, Every Day by Eden Grinshpan, Penguin Canada, Toronto

Kiin: Recipes and Stories from Northern Thailand by Nuit Regular, Penguin Canada, Toronto

The BC Wine Lover’s Cookbook: Recipes & Stories from Wineries across British Columbia by Jennifer Schell, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver

The Vegan Armenian Kitchen Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora by Lena Tashjian, Author, Richmond Hill


Single-Subject Cookbooks

Baking Day with Anna Olson: Recipes to Bake Together by Anna Olson, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver

Cooking Meat: A Butcher’s Guide to Choosing, Buying, Cutting, Cooking, and Eating Meat by Peter Sanagan, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver

Jenna Rae Cakes and Sweet Treats: Over 100 Recipes for the Modern Baker by Ashley Kosowan and Jenna Hutchinson, Penguin Canada, Toronto

The Hunter Chef Cookbook: Hunt, Fish, and Forage in Over 100 Recipes by Michael Hunter, Penguin Canada, Toronto

You Wanna Piece of Me? More Than 100 Seriously Tasty Recipes for Sweet and Savory Pies by Jenell Parsons, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver


Health and Special Diet Cookbooks

Buck Naked Kitchen: Radiant and Nourishing Recipes to Fuel Your Health Journey by Kirsten Buck, Penguin Canada, Toronto

Eat Good Fat: Nourish Your Body with Over 100 Healthy, Fat-Fuelled Recipes by Lee Capatina, Penguin Canada, Toronto

Oh She Glows for Dinner: Nourishing Plant-Based Meals to Keep You Glowing by Angela Liddon, Penguin Canada, Toronto

The Bite Me Balance Cookbook: Wholesome Daily Eats & Delectable Occasional Treats by Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat, Appetite by Random House, Vancouver ***
The Primal Gourmet Cookbook: 120 Easy and Delicious Recipes for a Paleo Lifestyle by Ronny Joseph Lvovski, Penguin Canada, Toronto


Les livres langue française / French-Language Books

Les narrations culinaires

Bon vivant ! par Marc Hervieux, Flammarion Québec, Montréal

La jungle alimentaire : comment s’y retrouver par Julie DesGroseilliers, Les Éditions La Presse, Anjou

Le cidre au Québec : histoire, cidreries et coups de coeur d’ici par Stéphane Morin, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal

Santé! Une sommelière démystifie le merveilleux monde du vin par Jessica Harnois, Pierre Huet et Eric Godin, Les Éditions La Presse, Anjou

Supernaturel : Immersion dans le monde du vin nature par Vincent Sulfite, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal


Livres de cuisine générale

Chez Lesley – Mes secrets pour tout réussir en cuisine par Lesley Chesterman, Les Éditions Cardinal, Montréal

Le coup de grâce – tome 2 par Samuel Joubert, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal

Les recettes de Mandy : salades gourmandes et autres délices par Mandy Wolfe, Rebecca Wolfe et Meredith Erickson, Les Éditions La Presse, Anjou

Petit Prix par Geneviève O’Gleman, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal ***
Petits festins de tous les jours par Alexandra Leduc, Modus Vivendi, Montréal


Livres de cuisine régionale et culturelle

Défi des p’tits chefs les recettes – Volume 4 par Béatrice Savoie-Frenette, Les Éditions Cardinal, Montréal

Mangez local. Recettes et techniques de conservation pour suivre le rythme des saisons par Julie Aubé, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal


Livres de cuisine sujet unique

À la plaque par Ricardo Larrivée, Les Éditions La Presse, Anjou

BBQ Santé par Geneviève O’Gleman, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal

Ces muffins dont tout le monde parle par Madame Labriski (Mériane Labrie), Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal

Les brownies de Juliette par Juliette Brun, Les Éditions La Presse, Anjou

Révolution Kombucha : Tout ce qu’il faut savoir pour le brasser vous-même par Sébastien Bureau et David Côté, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal


Livres de cuisine santé et diète particulière

3 Fois par Jour- Un Peu Plus Végé par Marilou Bourdon, Les Éditions Cardinal, Montréal

Caro Kéto – 80 recettes pour faire le plein d’énergie par Caroline Dumas, Les Éditions Cardinal, Montréal

La Cantine Végane – Recettes Pour Bons Vivants par Marie-Michelle Chouinard, Groupe Ville-Marie Littérature (VLB éditeur), Montréal

Presque Végé par Geneviève O’Gleman, Les Éditions de l’Homme, Montréal


Check out Taste Canada for more information on the 2021 Taste Canada Awards and the 2021 shortlist.