Top chefs across Canada are reinventing bistro cooking, using the best of seasonal, local ingredients in creative menus with innovative, affordable dishes that are relatively simple to prepare. Catering to the way that Canadians are shopping and cooking now, the recipes in Fresh Canadian Bistro showcase the quality and flavours of market fresh and locally obtained seafood, meats, vegetables and fruit.

Author Craig Flinn, chef of Chives Canadian Bistro in Halifax, has persuaded many of Canada's leading chefs to share some of their best recipes for this collection. Among the 35 contributors are Michael Smith (Food Network); Jamie Kennedy (Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner & Wine Bar, Toronto); Ned Bell (Cabana Grill, Kelowna); Martin Ruis Salvador (Fleur de Sel, Lunenburg); Paul Rogalski (Rouge, Calgary); Antony Walsh (Canoe, Toronto); and Michael Allemeier (Mission Hill Winery,Okanagan).

The dishes include Foie Gras Poutine (Black Cat Bistro, Ottawa) and Okanagan Fruit Upside Down Cake with Lemon Thyme Ice Cream (Cabana Grille, Kelowna). Dishes showcase choice ingredients, such as Smoked Wild Arctic Char, Crab and Asparagus Wraps (Ray Lovell, Nunavut); Buffalo Mozzarella, Heirloom Tomato and Polenta Salad (Millcroft Inn, Alton-Caledon); and Rhubarb Glazed Scallops (Rhubarb Grill, Indian Harbour).

The 80 recipes have been tested and adapted for home use. To stress the commitment to fresh local ingredients, they are keyed to the appropriate season.

Full-colour photography throughout the book will encourage home cooks to try these delicious and innovative dishes.

CRAIG FLINN studied contemporary and classical cuisine in Europe, Canada, and the US before opening his restaurant Chives Canadian Bistro in 2001. He opened his second restaurant 2 Doors Down in 2013. He is a frequent guest on regional and national TV and radio shows talking about Maritime cooking. He is also the author of three previous cookbooks Fresh & Local: Straight from Canadian farms to your table, Fresh Canadian Bistro: Top Canadian chefs share their favourite recipes and Fresh & Frugal: Easy and affordable recipes for market-fresh local food. He lives in Dartmouth.

Craig Flinn's profile page

"We commed Mr. Macnutt on this beautiful book that will be of great interest to students, teachers and all Islanders."

The Guardian