Foodie Alert ... Best Cookbook Store in Toronto

My son opened his birthday present from his sister.  It was

wrapped in red-orange paper and tied with a dark blue 

grosgrain ribbon.  Such a beautiful presentation and 

the books inside the wrapping were a treat to read.

As I am oohing and ahhing over the gift, both of the kids

said "Mom, just walk 4 blocks south from your house

to find the Good Egg."

I did and I was besotted with this small neighborhood

 bookstore.  I had to meet the owner.

  
Mika Bareket set up the Good Egg over 5 years ago 
 and the store is part of a trendy neighborhood

called Kensington Market.   The area is a foodie
haven.  A perfect place for the Good Egg.

The lady with the red scarf? .....  that's Mika. 

Mika learned about book retail after having spent
several years learning the ropes in other bookstores around
Toronto.  She has always had an interest in food and to combine
a foodie bookstore and Kensington Market seemed like a great idea.

Mika calls the Good Egg a food lifestyle store.  There are your
usual cookbooks but also books on restaurants, food
travel experiences, and other trendy ideas related to food.

 
At one time, many of the independent bookstores lost ground to the large

chains like Borders and Barnes and Noble.   "You've Got Mail" was a
 movie about a small children's bookstore

closing because of a major chain moving in it's neighborhood.

Now, even the chain stores are under pressure from e-books and an

industry that is going from print to digital books.  Tables have turned.

As people go to on-line book purchases or e-books,  the chains like

are having to readdress the market place.

Some indie bookstores are starting to come back but they

are carving a niche with unique books, events and as a

place for locals to gather.  Unlike the chains, the smaller

bookstores don't have to have the large diverse inventories

and thus the high overheads.  If they are plugged into
their clients' interests and needs, they are getting in return
customer loyalty.  Foodies and their love of all things
eatible are huge right now  and the
Good Egg ....  definitely on trend.

Mika also carries a lovely assortment of kitchen

tchotches which makes the Good Egg a great place to shop

for the foodie gifts.  A number of their products are

made by local artisans as well as Creuset and Staub.

Little corners of the store are set up like you may have

walked into Mika's kitchen. 

Mika says her strength in this business comes from her

hardworking and loyal staff.  They are encouraged to come

up with new ideas in books, events and classes.

Mika also pulls in local chefs and sommeliers to

teach specialty food courses. 

I truly loved this little bookstore.  The books are so 

unique and beautifully crafted.  Some of the new

self-publishing companies are creating very arty

and gorgeously presented books.

I remember a good friend of mine who is a caterer

say that her idea of relaxing is sitting down with a glass

of wine and reading cookbooks.  The Good Egg just

takes this activity to a new level.

Here are some of the books Mika has recommended

in the last several months.

The Art of the Restaurateur

Nicholas Lander

This Financial Times Restaurant critic spills the beans about 20

well-known restaurants talking to owners about the joys and

challenges of running their businesses.  

Take Away

Jean-Francois Mallet

This book has beautiful photographs of delicious Take Away

food from around the world.  Sounds like a pictorial

travelog like Anthony  Bourdain's "No Reservations." 

Odd Bits

Jennifer McLagan

This author has taught a class at the Good Egg.

Mika calls Jennifer Canadian's Julia Child.

This is Jennifer's best book.  Not for

the faint of heart but intriguing.....

Visit the Good Egg website and if you live in

Toronto, take a trip to Kensington Market and

support this unique indie bookstore.

267 Augusta Avenue 

Pillow Ladies:

Rose writes books in The Muses of Amour

series .... just not foodie books.

She may change her mind if

she visited The Good Egg.

Priscilla Mae et al