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Barbara-Jo's Books To Cooks
Categories: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Bookstores Education Specialty Schools Cooking Schools Bookstores, Cooking Schools [Edit]
1740 2nd Ave WVancouver, BC V6J 1H6
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
(604) 688-6755
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 6 pm
Sun 12 pm - 5 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
9 reviews for Barbara-Jo's Books To Cooks
9 reviews in English
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Review from Annie W.
9/9/2011
Barbara Jo's Books To Cooks is a place that deals in "Literary Crack For Foodies."
If it's printed and in circulation, chances are they'll have it...and if they don't, I've had them offer to try and find it for me. But don't be fooled by the eager to help smiles of the staff, or the smell of fresh baked goods wafting from the oven- it's all part of their master plan to ensnare you in their chocolate covered clutches for life.
Speaking of which I'm due for a fix. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
7/8/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Just like selling a house, when it smells like baking you know you're going to make a sale.
The friendliest staff work here - and why wouldn't they? Not only do they get to work amongst oodles and oodles of cook books spanning every genre, but they actually get to sample the recipes being made.
Heading in to buy a specific type of cookbook as a gift, I was greeted and shown exactly where to look. And as I picked up the book I had already been considering, the chef announced approvingly, "Good Choice." That sealed the deal, much like a server making a recommendation I was already considered.
Book in hand and the smell of baking filling my nostrils, I looked wide eyed as he pulled some shortbread (?) out of the oven. They were too hot to have a bite, the but the biscuits that were likely baked a few minutes earlier were heavenly. Full of brown sugar, I only ate a few bites before giving the rest away, but still, those few mouthfuls were worth stopping in any day! -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
9/6/2008 1 photo
An entire store full of nothing but cookbooks, food books, and food magazines, plus a full demonstration kitchen and occasional free treats made from the pages of the merchandise? Yes, please! But wait, there's more. Barbara-Jo's is an institution, the head office and library of the Vancouver foodie scene.
In addition to cookbooks and cooking classes, if you want to meet a famous chef or cookbook author when they roll through town, or want a restaurant recommendation, Barbara-Jo and her staff can help you there, too.
Sometimes there is a charge for author receptions, but they include the book, the signing/talk, and often snacks and wine. The classes are also good, but they're pricey - just think of them as a very interactive dinner date. Local chefs like Vikram Vij and John Bishop often guest-star as demonstrators, and their classes are really popular. More often than not, though, if you're lucky, you'll spot celebrity browsers when you're perusing the vast selection.
I especially like that they carry a lot of imported and hard-to-find titles, particularly from the United Kingdom. Plus, if you do have trouble with a recipe after the fact, they'll often try to give some cooking advice over the phone. The service and knowledge are just that excellent.Listed in: Books and Coffee
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Review from Reena M.
Updated - 5/14/2009
Great books! Great store for anyone obsessed with food like me! I could probably be here for hours and peruse. What gives it the 5 stars is that they do full cooking demonstration! We happened to go in during one of them and it was interesting to listen to.
The service is great. I was looking for a Mexican Cookbook and the person there helped me find a good one very easily that suited my needs and had tons of pictures. I would totally go back! Maybe for a proper event or something?Listed in: Reena M's Guide to Kitsilano, Give a *good* GIft!, Granville Island Must-eats…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/14/2009
This bookstore is fun for those obsessed with food like I am. I bought a really cool cheesecake… Read more »
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Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2008
Does everyone remember Hugh Grant's character in Notting Hill? He worked in a travel book shop. No fiction, no children's and no science fiction, JUST travel books. Well, Barbara-Jo's is just like that, except she sells JUST cook books (and to be fair, books about food, but you get the idea).
Barbara-Jo's is so much more than cook books, but the cook books they do sell are of the best and most diverse variety, from all over the world and for all occasions. If you are hankering to find the newest of the new books from such chefs as Gordan Ramsey and Farran Adria, amongst a plethora of nearly every chef and food writer/critic you can imagine.
As mentioned, Barbara Jo's is much, much more than just cook books and what I meant by that was that BJ's offers fantastic nightly courses and book signings with some of the best in the industry, from cooking to knife skills and much more. The only thing I can say is to keep checking back with the events calendar because the very in-demand courses sell out very quickly and they can usually only accommodate a couple dozen people, if that. -
Review from Allen W.
11/22/2009
If you enjoy cooking or are looking for a gift for a foodie, Barbara Jo's offer the best selection of cookbooks you'll find in Vancouver.
The bookstore focuses solely on cookbooks and other food writing. You'll find tables and shelves filled with every type of book you could ever want or need. I found several books that I hadn't been able to find elsewhere.
And, then there's the staff. The staff also loves cooking and are knowledgeable of current writers, chefs, etc. I've heard they also have author signings and events on occasion but haven't yet attended any. I will try that next! -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
9/29/2008 1 photo
A bookstore devoted solely to cook books?! I love it! The staff seems very knowledgeable. I overheard one employee recommend book after book based on what customers were looking for and providing lots of interesting information along the way. When I asked about Swedish cook books, the employee knew just where to look.
Check out the "Online Test Kitchen of Barbara-Jo's Books to Cooks": http://blog.bookstocoo.... This new blog has recipe reviews by staff members. If you mention any book that was featured on the blog will get 10% off.
Make sure to check out Barbara-Jo's main website for information about book signings, demonstrations, and classes. Olive oil tastings! Knife skills! Foodies rejoice!Listed in: The Best of Granville Island
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Review from Michael A.
Vancouver, BC
5/29/2011
Nice looking store, great selection of books, friendly staff except the actual owner that hides her snobby thoughts behind the most fake smile one can imagine. You know those people... right? They look at you, they smile and behind all that....well, you can only imagine what they think of you. Don't get me wrong people, nothing personal against this woman. I've only been there once and got out in 10 min. My friend even bought a book.Ok, this is how it happened. :) I asked for some books about braising and she was very quick in pointing out a few different ones, I give her that,(All About Braising by Molly Stevens and another book by a french author) The books looked great but they were both around 44 plus tax .That makes it almost 50$. No, I'm not a cheap bastard if that's what you're thinking, I'll gladly pay 50$ for a book if it's worth it. What I usually do before I buy something is that I google the product for reviews. Good vs Bad, then I decide whether I should buy the product or not. I don't know about you guys but I think that's fair. So I was typing the names of the books in my IPhone and a second later she gets all jumpy and tells me, and I quote, " We don't allow customers to use electronics (electronics...lol ) in our store. If we'd let them write down the names of the books, they would look them up somewhere else and never buy from us" Hmm ok, I get it, I said to myself, she's protecting her store end everything, I mean it's a business after all but it was the last part that clicked..."they never buy from us". I mean why is that? Got out of the store, googled the book, and Chapters, http://Amazon.ca, Home Sense and a few other places had the same book for 27$. That"s a bit over 30 with tax. Now let's see 50 vs 30, that's quite the difference people. My friends book was around 30. Googled that one to. Found it for 18. What?!? So the idea is: EVERYTHING IN THAT STORE IS OVERPRICED. If you're in a hurry to buy a few cooking books and don't mind spending the extra bucks for instant gratification then it's a great store. If you have some time to spare and just shopping for fun you'll find better prices in lots of other places. If you decide to go there but you're annoyed by snobs just don't deal with the owner. The rest of the people working there seemed very nice and helpful.
My advice to Miss Barbara :) GET A BOYFRIEND!!! Maybe I'm wrong but that's the vibe I got...that she really needs one...boyfriend that is.
Am I an asshole for saying that? Aghhh to late now anyways... :)
Cheers people. -
Review from Noa G.
Vancouver, BC
9/29/2008
Neither a great chef nor a die-hard foodie, even I can appreciate this bookstore, which is dedicated to all things culinary. Located in Granville Island's Net Loft building, you may even be lucky enough to catch a visiting chef doing a demo in Barbara-Jo's in-store kitchen.
