The shortlist for the “Best in the World” at the Gourmand World Cookbook 2014 Awards which will take place in China during the Beijing Cookbook Fair, 19-21 May, have been announced. Thirteen Irish cook books have qualified in six of the different categories.

The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards were founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau. It is free to enter the competition and open to publishers in all languages and countries. The Gourmand Awards celebrate global cookbook and wine book publishing and it features many world renowned chefs each year. There is also a focus on self-published books which is considered the fastest growing segment in publishing today.
 
The founder and president of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, Edouard Cointreau, was born into the families of Cointreau Liqueur on his dad's side and Cognacs Frapin and Remy Martin on his mum's side. His family has had vineyards since 1270 so he should know a thing or two about food and drink!
 
The six categories that the Irish Cookbooks qualified in, are: Best Authors & Chefs, Publishers, World Cuisine, Lifestyle, Body & Soul, Subjects and Charity & Fundraising.
 
The 13 Irish Cookbooks up for the Best in the World Awards 2014 are:

1. BEST AUTHORS AND CHEFS

Chef

Chapter One - An Irish food story - Ross Lewis, Photo: Barry McCall - pub Gill MacMillan
Buy the Book HERE
 
Professionals

Master it - Rory O’Connell - pub Fourth Estate

Buy the Book HERE
 
First cookbook

Apron Strings - Recipes from a family kitchen - Nessa Robins - pub New Island

Buy the Book HERE
 
Blog

A Modern Irish Cookbook by Goodalls - Roisin O’Shea, Margaret Smith - pub Lettertec

Buy the eBook HERE

2. PUBLISHERS

Corporate book

Simply Starwood, From our kitchens to yours - Starwood Customer Contact Center Employees in Cork City - pub Starwood Hotels

Buy the Book HERE
 
3. WORLD CUISINE

Local cuisine

Ireland - A culinary journey in the North East - Dermot Seberry - pub Dermot Seberry

Buy the Book HERE

Foreign cuisine

The International Charity Bazaar Cookbook - Compiled and edited by Siobhan Denham - pub International Charity Bazaar

Buy the Book HERE

4. LIFESTYLE, BODY AND SOUL

Health & nutrition

The Healthy Ways Cookbook and Lifestyle Guide - Claire Kerins, Neil Johnson - Photo: Zahra Media Group – pub CROI, Zahra Media Group

Buy the Book HERE

Culinary travel

Ireland - A Culinary Journey in the North East - Dermot Seberry - pub Dermot Seberry.

Buy the Book HERE
 
5. SUBJECTS

Easy recipes

From Lynda’s Table - Lynda Booth, Photo: Joanne Murphy - pub Dublin Cookery School Publishing

Buy the Book HERE

Barbecue

Relish Barbecue - Rozanne Stevens, Photo: Sean Calitz - pub Delish Publishing

Buy the Book HERE

Vegetarian

Blazing Salads 2 - Lorraine Fitzmaurice, Photo: Joanne Murphy - pub Gill MacMillan

Buy the Book HERE
 
6. CHARITY AND FUND RAISING

The Little Fighters Cookbook - Chloe Kelleher - pub Inspire Print

Buy the Book HERE

The International Charity Bazaar Cookbook - Compiled and edited by Siobhan Denham - pub International Charity Bazaar.

Buy the Book HERE

30 Years at Ballymaloe - Darina Allen - is also up for an award although it is included as a UK listing.

Buy the Book HERE