Local cookbook nominated for Taste Canada Awards

“The Art of Herbs,” a locally created cookbook by renowned Canadian encaustic artist, Susan Wallis, and Cynthia Peters, chef and owner of From the Farm Cooking School, was recently nominated for the Taste Canada’s annual food writing awards.

Nominated in the Single-Subject category, The Art of Herbs is the only self-published nomination in this category. This new category has the largest number of titles, 25, and holds almost a third of the entries. Topics range from classic preserves to exotic tagines, healthy meals to decadent baked goods.

“We are honoured to be part of this year’s nominees. It is thrilling to be recognized for our first book and thank Taste Canada for including us in this nationally acclaimed awards program,” commented Peters and Wallis

The cookbook, launched in August 2011, is a collection of Wallis’ Garden Series of herb encaustic paintings (the ancient medium of mixing oil pigment with molten wax) paired with herb infused recipes from personal chef, Cynthia Peters.  The book is now in its third printing and is available on-line and through numerous retail outlets in Ontario, including newcomers, Shop AGO at The Art Gallery of Ontario, Collected Works and Red Apron in Ottawa.

Taste Canada—The Food Writing Awards is the new home of the former Canadian Culinary Book Awards. Working in partnership with the University of Guelph, they recognize and celebrate the best in Canadian food writing. In its 15th year, they honour books in the following four categories in both English and French: General Cookbooks, Single-Subject Cookbooks, Regional/Cultural Cookbooks And Culinary Narratives.  http://tastecanada.org/