The persistence of misconceptions about Italian-Canadian food culture raises many questions for us. Are we gluttonous, inebriate and too loud? Do we force-feed guests? Are we in fact food-obsessed? How many grains of truth can a stereotype hold? We had to know, so we asked articulate and thoughtful Italian-Canadian writers and simpatico friends from British Columbia to Newfoundland. The responses were surprising, thoughtful, entertaining and often touching, making my co-editor, Delia De Santis, and I very glad we asked, as every piece which streamed over the internet's ether was a gift and a joy to read. And the result is Italian Canadians at Table, a passionate literary feast of poetry and prose.

Italy is a country synonymous with style and beauty in all aspects of life: the rich history of Rome, Renaissance art of Florence, graceful canals of Venice, high fashion of Milan, signature pasta alla bolognese of Bologna, colorful architecture of Portofino and winking blue waters of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, among many others. Italians themselves live effortlessly amid all this splendor, knowing instinctively just the type of outfit to throw on, design element to balance, or delectable ingredient to add.

Italians came to Canada to seek a better life. From the 1870s to the 1920s they arrived in large numbers and found work mainly in mining, railway building, forestry, construction, and farming. As time passed, many used their skills to set up successful small businesses, often in Little Italy districts in cities like Montreal, Toronto, Hamilton, and Winnipeg. Many struggled with the language and culture in Canada, but their children became part of the Canadian mix. When Canada declared war on Italy on June 10, 1940, the government used the War Measures Act to label all Italian citizens over the age of eighteen as enemy aliens. Those who had received Canadian citizenship after 1922 were also deemed enemy aliens. Immediately, the RCMP began making arrests. Men, young and old, and a few women were taken from their homes, offices, or social clubs without warning. In all, about 700 were imprisoned in internment camps, mainly in Ontario and New Brunswick. The impact of this internment was felt immediately by families who lost husbands and fathers, but the effects would live on for decades. Eventually, pressure from the Italian Canadian community led Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to issue an apology for the internment and to admit that it was wrong. Using historical photographs, paintings, documents, and first-person narratives, this book offers a full account of this little-known episode in Canadian history.

Through a historical and economic analysis of Italian Canadian migration in the second half of the 20th century and through the study of Italian and Canadian archival sources, this book provides an analytic and in-depth tool for the study of the economic and cultural relations between Italy and Canada, from the Golden Age until the present. It focuses, in particular, on the analysis of migratory flows between the two countries, on the evolution of integration, work and assistance problems, and on the promotion of Italian-Canadian culture. The book also retraces the evolution of some relevant non-profit organizations and their role in the enhancement of Italian-Canadian cultural heritage.

For more than three years, Aline Coquelle, the well-known globe-trotting photographer, and Count Gelasio Gaetani d’Aragona Lovatelli, a member of one of the oldest aristocratic Italian families, have followed the map of Italy’s best wines. Guided by Gelasio, readers are introduced to a tribe of artistic and wine-loving amici who share their passion for their country’s heritage and bounty. The Italian Dream: Wine, Heritage, Soul is an escape into the effortlessly elegant Italian lifestyle, savoring wine behind the private gates of family castles and vineyards, from the foothills of the Alps to the hill towns of Tuscany to the relaxed southern seasides.

Traditional trattoria fare is the essence of Italian food - honest, fresh and satisfying. Maxine Clark has collected authentic recipes from all over Italy and adapted them for the home cook. Simple Starters to try include Fresh Tuna Carpaccio and Three Marinated Antipasti. Warming Soups are always welcome - here you'll find Tuscan Bean Soup and Cream of Chickpea Soup with Wild Mushrooms. Mouth-watering Pasta dishes are enduringly popular. Try Spaghetti with Aubergine and Tomato Sauce or Lasagne al Forno. The ultimate in Italian comfort food, Risottos to indulge in include Red Wine, Mushroom and Pancetta Risotto. Making your own Pizza & Bread is surprisingly easy and hugely satisfying - enjoy a classic Pizza al Margherita or a freshly baked Rosemary Focaccia. Rich and hearty Meat & Poultry dishes to try include Pork Loin Roasted with Rosemary and Garlic; Beefsteak with Rocket; and Devilled Grilled Chicken. Traditional dishes for Fish & Seafood include Seabass Baked in Parchment and Grilled Tuna Steaks with Peperonata. Choose the perfect accompaniment to your meal from Salads & Sides. Recipes include Orange, Endive and Black Olive Salad and Pumpkin Roasted with Sage and Onion. Finish with something delectable from Sweet Things such as Caramelized Fig Tart. - A collection of recipes that offer home cooks simple ideas for authentic Italian food to be enjoyed with family and friends. - Food writer and cookery teacher Maxine Clark is a best-selling author for Ryland Peters & Small. - Features beautiful images by award-winning photographer Martin Brigdale.

"An exciting new perspective on a cherished cuisine" (The San Francisco Chronicle), the Vegetarian Table series celebrates the rich diversity of flavors, fruits and vegetables, grains and legumes, and the variety of enticing spices found all over the world, providing the perfect opportunity for indulging the vegetarian palate. Lavishly illustrated with stunning full-color photography and text by some of the finest food writers in the industry, this popular Chronicle Books series is now available in paperback. Featuring distinctive vegetarian recipes for appetizers, soups and salads, pastas and noodles, main dishes, breads, and desserts, the cuisines are as delicious as they are exotic. The Vegetarian Table series offers an enticing and nutritious way to bring the sumptuous food and flavors from around the globe to any vegetarian tablewherever it may be.