Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks: So Much More Than a Book Store

Barbara Jo at Books to Cooks Tim Pawsey photo

Barbara-Jo McIntosh: a truly welcoming touch, Tim Pawsey photo

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Vancouver’s Books to Cooks (1740 West 2nd. Ave., 604-688-6755). We’ve followed Barbara-Jo McIntosh’s progress since she pulled the wraps off the original Yaletown location on September 7, 15 years ago this past week.

In 2005, Barbara-Jo upped stakes from Yaletown in favour of a more spacious and accessible location just across Burrard bridge, across from the Seaforth Armoury and a short hop from Granville Island. New neighbours included iconic Les Amis du Fromage and equally irresistible Patisserie Lebeau.

The concept, that combines comprehensive book store and demonstration kitchen (not to mention a whole lot of love for all things food and wine-ish), is unique around these parts.

Michael Pollan at Barbara Jos Books to cooks Tim Pawsey photo

Michael Pollan talks “In Defence of Food” at Barbara-Jo’s, TP photo

However, not only does Books to Cooks stock just about any cookbook on the market, this beautifully arranged, truly welcoming space (complete with grand piano) is the busiest host in town to visiting chefs and authors. Over the years, Barbara-Jo and her team have welcomed the glitterati of the international culinary world: everyone from Michel Roux, Mark Bittman and Michael Pollan to Jennifer McLagan, Donna Hay, Tom Douglas, Anthony Bourdain, Gordon Ramsay— “and many more whom I truly admire and now have the great fortune of calling my friends,” she says.

In fact, by providing the venue, the event and a reason to come, Barbara-Jo McIntosh has truly put Vancouver ‘on the circuit’; and in doing so contributed immeasurably to the reputation it now enjoys as one of the continent’s top culinary destinations.

Barbara Jo in the stacks at Books to Cooks Tim Pawsey photo

In the stacks … TP photo

Making a go of things in these challenging times is an achievement on its own. But to flourish as an independent bookseller? Well, that deserves more than one glass of bubble, for sure.

Congratulations, Barbara-Jo! And here’s to many more.

And by the way, if you think I’m kidding about the frequency with which things happen here, check out the events page.

You might just find something you like. But you’d better book fast …

And one more thing—the ticket price to virtually all events includes a copy of the relevant book.

By Tim Pawsey|2018-01-21T15:05:33-08:00September 8th, 2012|Uncategorized|3 Comments

About the Author: Tim Pawsey

Tim has been covering the food and wine revolution for about 20 kilos. Count 15 kg alone thanks to the blossoming cuisine and wine culture of British Columbia, Canada. His awards include: BC Restaurant Assn. Hall of Fame, Okanagan Wine Festivals Harry McWatters Founder's Award, BC Wine Growers Industry Recognition Award, Vancouver International Wine Festival Spirited Industry Professional award. Tim’s hallmark is seeking out and recommending value wines from BC and around the world that offer quality at every level. He also scopes out noteworthy restaurants that live up to their promises—and often over deliver. For several decades Tim wrote columns in the Vancouver Courier and North Shore News. He currently contributes to several magazines, including BCLS Taste, Vitis and others. Tim is a frequent judge for wine competitions and was a founding judge of The BC Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Wine. He is frequently invited to judge at The BC Wine Awards, and others. Tim has traveled to taste in many of the world’s leading wine regions, across Europe, in North America, Argentina and Chile, Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa.