Most of us love it. Some of us have a complicated relationship with it. But we all need it. Food. Any of these nine books would be a great choice for the friend that always hosts dinner parties, the grandparent who insists on packing leftovers for you, and the family member whose mouth waters just looking at cookbooks.
Sustenance: Writers from BC and Beyond on the Subject of Food by editor Rachel Rose (Anvil Press) brings to the table some of Canada’s best contemporary writers, celebrating all that is unique about Vancouver’s literary and culinary scene. Sustenance would be a thoughtful gift for someone who is critical of the consumerism that runs rampant around the holidays. Anthology contributors have donated their honoraria to the BC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupon Program, and a portion of sales from every book will go towards providing a refugee or low-income family with fresh, locally grown produce, which will also support BC farmers, fishers, and gardeners.
The Vegetarian’s Guide to Eating Meat: A Young Woman’s Search for Ethical Food by Marissa Landrigan (Greystone Books) is part memoir and part investigative journalism. Marissa Landrigan grew up among food-loving Italian-Americans, but it wasn’t until college that she explored animal rights activism. Yet as she learned more about ethical eating and veganism, she realized that the most ethical way of eating was to know her food—whether meat or vegetable—and prepare it herself, on her own terms, to eat with family and friends. An excellent and insightful book that is as much a search for identity as it is a fascinating treatise on food, this book would be devoured by any ethical foodie.
All the Sweet Things: Baked Goods and Stories from the Kitchen of Sweetsugarbean by Renée Kohlman (TouchWood Editions) will delight your family’s resident pastry chef—you know, the one who is always creating new confections for every occasion and sending you home with tins full of homemade cookies. All the Sweet Things has more than 100 recipes for delectable desserts and wholesome baked goods from the kitchen of Renée Kohlman, aka sweetsugarbean, one of Canada’s top food bloggers.
Dutch Feast by Emily Wight (Arsenal Pulp Press) is a modern take on Dutch cuisine, influenced by its colonial history, with bold flavours from places like Indonesia and the West Indies, and by its proximity to its European neighbours. In the same way that British, Scandinavian, and German food have undergone a renaissance in recent years, Dutch cuisine is going to be the next big thing. Dutch Feast is a fantastic choice for anyone with Dutch heritage, an interest in food trends, or just a love of butter, cheese, and gin in cooking (and who doesn’t?).
What the Mouth Wants: A Memoir of Food, Love and Belonging by Monica Meneghetti (Caitlin Press) is a mouthwatering, intimate, and sensual memoir. The story traces Monica Meneghetti’s unique life journey through her relationship with food, family, sexuality, and love. As the youngest child of a traditional Italian-Catholic immigrant family, Monica learns the requirements of conformity both at the table and in life, which deeply affects her. Through risk, courage, and heartbreak, she ultimately redefines and recreates family and identity according to her own alternative vision.
First We Brunch by Rebecca Wellman (TouchWood Editions) is a carefully curated collection of recipes from Victoria, BC, “the brunch capital of Canada”. It would be ideal for an out-of-town friend or family member as both a souvenir and gift. Whether you’re after a quick, budget brunch, a hearty vegan breakfast, or a much-needed hangover cure, Wellman helps you choose the ideal mid-morning eatery or menu. If you want a sneak peek, take a look at the recipe excerpt we posted in October.
Home and Away: Simple, Delicious Recipes Inspired by the World’s Cafes, Bistros, and Diners by Darcy Shore & Randy Shore (Arsenal Pulp Press) is a cookbook inspired by how food from around the world not only connects us all but also reminds us of home. Cooking outside one’s comfort zone is now easier than ever: ingredients once considered exotic are available at supermarkets across the country, and we’re more open to exploring the far reaches of the world through food. Home & Away is a perfect gift to take home cooks on a delicious trip around the world, no passport required.
From Scratch by Gail Anderson-Dargatz (Orca Book Publishers) is a short novel from Orca Book’s Rapid Reads program—quick, high-interest reads intended for adults who struggle with literacy, ESL students, or reluctant adult readers. From Scratch follows the life of Cookie, who dreams of owning her own bakery but doesn’t think she has the skills, money, or self-confidence to do it. This is the story of Cookie’s journey and struggles to fulfill her dream.
Cooking with the Wolfman by David Wolfman and Marlene Finn (Douglas & McIntyre) would be an alluring choice for foodies who want to try locally foraged ingredients or for Indigenous cooks looking for new ways to enjoy familiar traditional foods.As a classically trained chef of First Nations heritage, David Wolfman’s easy-to-follow recipes make Indigenous Fusion available to everyone by bringing traditional Indigenous food sources together with European cooking techniques.