Cookbooks from Toronto restaurants and chefs save us the trouble of traveling around town to sample the creations of local culinary legends - it brings those dishes right into the kitchen. Thankfully, we have chefs and culinary masterminds throughout the city who don't mind sharing their mastery with the food-obsessed in the form of the written word.

Here are the top cookbooks from restaurants, chefs and food personalities in Toronto.

TOP PICKS

Fresh
Whether you're vegan or not, you've probably eaten at Fresh (and wondered how to re-make their Buddha Bowl at home). Thanks to Ruth Tal's book, you can stop wondering: Fresh offers up 200 recipes from the four Fresh restaurants while offering tips and tricks on juicing at home.

Rustic Italian: Great Italian Recipes Made Easy for Home
Mark McEwan is a powerhouse in the Toronto food scene. Who wouldn't want to cook like this top chef at home? Take home dishes from his restaurant Fabbrica, including Northern Italian takes on pizza, pastas and proteins.


Bunner's Bake Shop Cookbook


Who knew that vegan and gluten-free baking could taste so delicious? Ashley Wittig of Bunner's Bake Shop, that's who! With recipes from gluten-free pizza crusts or how to recreate her favourite cookies, this will be a hit with those who love the original bakery.


The Bar Chef: A Modern Approach to Cocktails
Frankie Solarik's BarChef has been voted one of the top seven new bars in the world by Food & Wine magazine. This is a man dedicated to the art and science of the cocktail. For inspired mixologists, Frank offers up chapters on the art and craft of mixology and recipes for syrups, infusions and bitters.


Pitchin' In: More Than 100 Great Recipes From Simple Ingredients


Lynn Crawford is all about from farm to table cooking - even at her restaurant Ruby Watchco. In her book Pitchin' In, she takes you on a journey throughout North America and shares many homestyle recipes, including mac & cheese and pecan blueberry cobbler.

Out to Brunch: At Mildred Pierce Restaurant
In Toronto, brunch is a rite of passage and a way of life. Mildred's Temple Kitchen is one of the best-known brunch spots in the city, topping best brunch lists year after year. Experience the delights of Mildred's Temple, including bacon and asiago crumpets and cinnamon sugar beignets, right in your own home with Donna Dooher
's amazing recipe book.

ALSO NOTEWORTHY

3 Chefs: The Kitchen Men


Three distinct chefs and one distinct moustache - all very well-known in the city of Toronto. Learn how to master the food stylings of Michael Bonacini, Massimo Capra and Jason Parsons through some of their best recipes, including wild rice and gruyere risotto and cornish hen with mushrooms.

Share: Delicious Dishes from FoodShare and Friends
Share is another one of Toronto's cherished non-profit community organizations, committed to provided healthy food for all. The cookbook delights in contributions from FoodShare's chefs, staff, volunteers and program participants, with recipes from noted chef Jamie Kennedy.


Good Food for All


The Stop Community Food Centre is such an amazing asset to helping communities' access healthy foods. With this cookbook penned by Joshna Maharaj, a local food activist, the focus is on making healthy, local, seasonal eating foods with are fun and economical. All recipes were developed in The Stop's community kitchens.


The Canadian Craft Beer Cookbook


Beer is more than just a cold beverage - it can also be used in a variety of different recipes. Author David Ort, a noted beer connoisseur, has shared 75 different recipes (gluten-free recipes included) ranging from desserts to things you'll want to keep in your pantry and more.

COMING SOON

• Michael Hunter (executive chef at REDS Wine Tavern) is self-publishing a cookbook, The Hunting Chef, which will feature and highlight hunted or foraged ingredients.
• Matt Basile - or as many people know him, Fidel Gastro - will release a cookbook from Penguin Canada in mid-fall tackling street food culture in North America.
• Matt Dean Pettitt, of Rock Lobster Food Co. fame, is showing us the Maritime way in his book, The Great Lobster Cookbook, which will hit shelves in early October via Random House Canada.

• Ivy Knight of Swallow Daily is currently in the midst of writing three cookbooks for HarperCollins Canada. Two will be released this fall, and one will be out in the fall of 2015.


Writing by Amanda Scriver.