Kitchen Bliss is written by Laura Calder, whom I learned while reading is from my home province. Each chapter is devoted to a different theme, such as memorable kitchens she's had over the years. She finishes each chapter with a selection of recipes that were either mentioned in the telling of her memories or that simply correspond with the theme. Some of the recipes sound amazing, and some seem like such a strange combination of ingredients that I can't begin to imagine how she came up with them, and which would take a seriously adventurous eater to try them. I find the stories very easy to relate to for the most part. If it had been a bit shorter it would have been perfectly fine, rather than grasping for the last few chapters which seemed like a struggle to write and didn't really add to the book. Some of my favorite recipes which I look forward to trying are, simply cherry tart, ginger and green onion sauce, chili sauce, and one-pan chocolate cake. I do really wish the recipes had pictures to go along with them, then maybe I'd be willing to try some of the more oddly interesting ones. Overall I do recommend this memoir/cookbook.

This had been compared to Stanley Tucci’s book, so I was excited to read it but I found his ability to tell stories far more entertaining! I felt like this book was treated more like a classic and king lesson than an opportunity to tell the story of the author’s life. I think this author would’ve been better suited to writing a cookbook

I deliberately took my time reading Laura Calder's appetizing "food memoir" - <u>Kitchen Bliss</u>. I savoured every nostalgic description of the "made from scratch" meals of her childhood, and I wanted to devour along with her the many exotic delicacies that she uncovered in various European bistros and restaurants..

I own several of this famous Canadian author's beautifully illustrated cookbooks. Her popular Food Channel show made her famous all over Canada. Such a lovable, bubbly personality - and she can cook too! My youngest brother definitely had a huge crush on this pretty young chef who cooked with a huge dose of European Panache!

This book is full of her very well-written (indeed, engrossing!) reminiscences of her childhood in rural New Brunswick, and then the various parts of the world that she sauntered off to in pursuit of culinary excellence.

The time capsules of her life and food journeys are capped off by the recipes that Calder referred to in each respective chapter. Calder's mother's "aged chicken soup" recipe, as I have come to refer to it, is a keeper. I will definitely give that one a try.

Come travel the world and experience vicariously dinner parties put together on a shoestring in a cramped French flat with a stove hardly bigger than a shoe box to work with.

This entire book is a delight and I didn't want it to end. I eked out my time reading one chapter a day of this book for as long as I could, but I inevitably felt compelled to share this wonderfully aromatic memoir with the rest of my friends on GoodReads.

All the stars for this witty, captivating trip down memory lane with the incomparable Laura Calder! My thanks to the author, her publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Standing ovation time!

This is a super cute book. Not quite a recipe book in the traditional sense but has a fun personal story with each chapter making it so much more personal. I feel like this book would be for a collector of cookbooks it’s more unique than normal books. I think my favourite chapter is desserts be dammed though the stories from earlier on are more in depth and fun to read. This would be a book I’d probably want autographed with a little personal message from the author for the collection rather than a practical cookbook.

This is the delightful book we all need after 3-plus years of pandemic to remind us of the irreplaceable value that getting together over good food brings. Written with such joy and reverence for good, thoughtful food, it will make you want to break out the fine china and invite your closest friends for an evening to savour.
I have been a fan of Laura Calder since her cooking show 'French Food at Home', where her enthusiasm for cooking radiated through the small screen, and her helpful tips gave this novice cook the courage to try. This book evokes the same warm feelings; peppered with food essays, interesting tidbits about society dining, memories from her own life and lived experiences, and of course must-try recipes, all finished with a garnish of humour and wit.
This book of (life) musings is approachable yet aspirational - you won't regret purchasing a copy for yourself, and your favourite dinner guest. Would also make a great hostess gift!

This is a great book! It is part memoir and part recipe book. Calder takes the reader on a journey that weaves childhood memories with current events. She talks about the importance of human connection and the role that food so often plays in uniting people. She reminds us that food is so much more than just nourishment for the body when we gather together it also feeds the soul.

Having read all of Laura Calder's previous books, I was eagerly looking forward to this one as well. I find her recipes can sometimes be hit-and-miss but I usually find a couple of gems in each book and this books no exception. Although many of her recipes were intriguing, my favourites by far are the One-Pan Chocolate Cake and the Salted Caramel Ice Cream. These are recipes that I imagine I will turn to again and again.

My major critique of this book is that I am a fan of beautiful food photography, as much as I love good food writing, and this book sadly fell well-short in that department. I have a digital version of the book so perhaps the print version will have more photographs but they were sadly lacking from the version I received.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a combination of food essays and recipes. This one fell short in the essay writing but the recipe I tested was beautiful!