Barbara-Jo Mcintosh

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Prior to opening her own restaurant, Barbara-Jo’s Elegant Home Cooking, in 1990, Barbara-jo McIntosh learned her culinary skills at Pierre Dubrulle Culinary School. As an avid reader, she was inspired to open a specialty cookbook shop when she saw an article in Saveur Magazine on Notting Hill’s famous book store, Books For Cooks. In 1997 she opened her own bookstore Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks which included a demonstration kitchen for visiting culinarians.

Her book store is now a gathering place for everyone from avid foodies, to visiting chefs and authors. It is because of her love for books, attention, and desire to connect with people that allowed her to build her business for over 25 years. People come to gather at her book store for culinary inspirations while perusing through the hundreds of titles offered.

“I believe in the preservation of libraries and the knowledge that comes from real books. The idea of holding a book in your hand, of spending time to savour the gift of turning each page, is something that should be passed on to each generation.”

For six years Barbara-jo served on the James Beard Awards cookbook selection committee. The prestigious annual awards are given to celebrate and honor chefs, restaurants, journalists, cookbook authors.

In 2003 she was honoured with Vancouver Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the culinary scene. She is also the author of three books – bestseller Tin Fish Gourmet, Great Chefs Cook at Barbara-Jo’s, and Cooking for Me and Sometimes You. In 2010 Barbara-jo launched French Apple Press – an independent boutique publisher of fine books and culinary inspiration.