The Cookbook Store

I think I’m in love with this store for their in-​store events.
Recently they added a little passageway to a soon-​to-​be-​open café.
I showed up here for the Anna Olson Book Q & A and book signing — kinda wish there was more seating to be had, since there was quite a few of us standing around. But still the plus outweighs the minuses, seriously.
The Q & A happened in the Café’s section; where they are going to sell kitchens by day — which means that there might be demos here in the future during a book signing.
So the new extention is great, because it’s a fully equiped cooking area. So after Anna did the Q & A, we had the sampling of some of her cookies that in the new book she is promoting. Best part is the fact that we got to decorate our own cookies, as well as eat them and they also gave us free coffee (latte and caps too!)
So all in all, I would come back here. Plus their customer service here is great; if you’re looking for a particular cooking related book and they don’t have it, they take your number and they do call you when they arrive with it.

I walk by this place quite a lot. I finally actually went INSIDE the store and while I was not actually looking for a cookbook, if I WAS then this is where I would first go. Wall-​to-​walls full of ‘em.
Ok, but five stars? Two words: window displays. The Cookbook stores always has it going on. It makes a difference. I probably wouldn’t look at this store, or be so curious about it if not for the glorious, ever-​changing window displays. Right now, there are about seven microwaves decoratively stacked on each other with cookbooks mixed in. Only once I saw them with an empty window but there was a sign, apologized for the «lack of visual stimulation» or something like that.
You go, TCS.

I would describe The Cookbook Store as the Jamie Oliver of Cookbook Stores in Toronto. Most of it’s collection of Books are related to some sort of Television/​Celebrity Chef in the Entertainment Industry.
Not necessarily a bad thing as that’s a normal passage to get the General Public to get involved more in food and be educated or interested in Food Sciences. I mean that’s how Food Network got me when they first started (Ming Tsai, Emeril Lagasse).
Cookbook Store is FLASHY and most things you see is Celebrity Books with their photos while the outside notes (Cookbooks with Signatures) brings you inside for those aware of Gordon Ramsey, Nigella Lawson, Anthony Bourdain, Jamie Oliver, etc…
The French Classics was slightly lacking but at least Julia Child was there in attendance but what about the pure Classics? I guess they would have just collected dust in this small shop and would be unprofitable but at least Professional Cooking Seventh Edition is available for those in education.
I like Classics more than Modern at this moment so Cookbook Store sous-​vides it’s way to 3.5’d.

I was a little disappointed at the vegetarian selection at this store. They had more vegan selections than they did veg. The staff were really nice though other than a hello and the service at the register there wasn’t much more. Though the store carriers less titles than your average Chapters or Indigo they have some of the less known options.
I’d probably go back here but only if I was looking for something specific.

When I’m overwhelmed with goodness, I revert to making lists. As such, my list of the Cookbook Store, which I visited today to take part in their «Haunted Happening» Halloween party!
— GIANT selection of cookbooks, literature on food, and wine & spirits
— Wonderfully accommodating staff
— Chairs to sit and read the plethora of books from which you have to choose
— Awesome events (I just bought a ticket to the Thomas Keller event in November that comes with an autographed copy of his new book «Ad Hoc at Home»)
— They have a Facebook page, a blog that is kept current & a Twitter feed
— Did I mention the huge selection of books? ;-)
Bottom line: if you ever need anything in the way of food/​cooking, go here.

This is probably the best cookbook store I’ve ever been to – it’s well-​organized and stocked with pretty much any book you’d ever want. The staff is friendly & helpful, and there’s a small selection of general-​interest nonfiction books as well as a healthy assortment of periodicals. Definitely worth a visit for any gourmand!