This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Introducing our little blond, brown or red heads to gastronomy is not limited to (trying to) make them eat fruits and vegetables. Food and the art of cooking it are excellent ways to discover cultures, learn lots of information, gain independence, carry out a fun activity… and enjoy yourself, of course! We have therefore selected for you a few local books, practical or inspiring, to slip under the tree for our little chefs in the making.
Have a finger in the pie
Miniminimenu Collection
Jeanne Joly, Jens Ruoff, Elizabeth Delage, Cardinal, Montreal
Adorable. That’s the first thing we say to ourselves when we leaf through the three little hardback books in this series concocted for young people by the chef-owner of the Butterblume restaurant, his blended family and a talented illustrator. But beyond their charming presentation, we especially love these books for the very simple and fun approach of the 12 delicious recipes they contain, with lots of images and little text. They can also be supplemented with short videos accessible by QR Code to master several techniques, such as washing vegetables and cutting safely.
I cook with you
Hélène Laurendeau and Catherine Desforges, Édito Jeunesse, Montreal, 2018, 112 pages
Nutritionist and host Hélène Laurendeau often addresses adults, but in 2018 she co-produced a guide to first steps in cooking aimed at children. His vision ? Support young people who wish to taste, discover, experiment; and get a little dirty, too, because it’s fun. Full of color and humor, this book teaches how to use the right tools, how to decipher and follow a recipe, how to understand the concepts of hygiene and food chemistry, how to taste and even how to do the dishes. A real bible for apprentice chefs… and their parents!
My first recipe book
Ricardo Larrivee, La Presse, Montreal, 2015, 200 pages
Everyone loves Ricardo, young and old alike. The popular chef, for his part, has been there for young people for a long time, whether through specialized activities on his platforms, or his commitment to the Tablée des chefs and to the next generation. In 2015, he wrote a book perfect for scullions, as well as for young adults who want to start in the kitchen. Through more than fifty simple recipes, from sunny-side-up egg and alphabet soup to chicken vol-au-vent and quesadillas, Ricardo guides his readers step by step and gives lots of interesting tips.
Read, learn, salivate
Amandine Series
Diya Lim, Dominique and company, Saint-Lambert
It’s not just recipe books that allow children to explore gastronomy. The adventures of Amandine, a very greedy little girl who one day wants to become a cook – or a baker-pastry chef, or a bit of both – have captured the hearts of many first readers since 2014. A dozen short, amusing fictionalized stories and well illustrated allow them to learn the origins of the galette des rois and the pumpkin pie. They also take us on a journey through English and Japanese culinary cultures. And of course, at the end of each volume there is a real, tested and approved recipe for young people.
Charlie and the Chantilly Brigade series
Karine Lambert, Dominique and company, Saint-Lambert
It takes talent to mix crime fiction, teenage subjects and cooking, and make it all hold together like a good Chantilly cream. This is what author Karine Lambert accomplished in this series with gourmet covers in which Charlie, a colorful young girl, attends a school specializing in pastry. In each volume (there are five), Charlie is at the heart of an enigma, while immersing us in the history and pastry techniques, as well as the personal, friendly and romantic tensions specific to adolescence. A simply irresistible series.
Yum Magazine
Launched in 2022, Yum is the very first Quebec youth magazine (for 7 to 12 year olds) dedicated to food. With a local, sustainable and healthy vision, this beautifully crafted quarterly revolves each issue around a food (rhubarb, cantaloupe, corn, etc.), which is explained with comic strips, illustrated stories, technical sheets , photos, recipes and games made by local talents. Enough to abundantly nourish our children’s neurons, imagination and appetite all year round. A subscription for Christmas?
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.