The Cookbook Shop - Tasty Tips at the Top of the Walk

Bite’s interest goes beyond simply tasting and sipping on your behalf. Sometimes, as on a recent evening, we have the chance to explore where tasty ideas are hatched, and a new independent launch, The Cookbook Shop, situated on the lower section of Haddington Place, provides the opportunity to stoke some sweet and savoury dreams in this lavish repository of food & drink inspiration.

Conceived by Martyn & Liz Bryson as a ‘community base’ as well as a prime resource for hospitality industry and home cooks alike, this charming basement is full of fresh ideas as well as classic techniques in every nook. There’s also a children’s corner to awaken imagination for the future. At every twist & turn I find items catching my interest, from very special editions of niche creative cookbooks/food theses to ‘best-of-the-classics ‘bibles’ and manuals to cherish lifelong. For the nerdier amongst our numbers, I note the surprisingly slim ‘UK Crisp Packets 1970 - 2000’. (Much as I love Nigella’s breezy editions which colonise all the big chains, it’s refreshing to see her marginalised to a secondary spot in favour of more exciting, contemporary & fun prospects here.)

The spaces are enhanced from the central cash desk (do not fail to collect your loyalty card before you pass go - you will be back!), which does double duty as a not-your-usual-fare café (cardamom limeade or prickly pear sparkler, anyone?). In every room there are comfy reading/ sipping spots to take the weight off while you realise you can’t live without purchasing what you browse for more thorough investigation at home. After all, print books make far more decorative, useful & easily referenced furniture than audiobooks.

They’re preparing a list of regular events and workshops to attract a diverse clientèle of chefs, writers and food lovers to add to the community vibe which already at this early stage appears to be ‘baked in’.

Meanwhile, someone’s been busy selecting special little trinkets (my eye alighted on adorable little fruit ceramic saucers & pastel de nata fridge magnets) along with uncommon pantry items and useful cards & bookmarks, since of course this makes the ideal stop for a lasting, memorable gift for just about anyone of any age. Clearly the emphasis is on independent voices & artistic talents. I find myself spending way too much time in the extensive cocktails section, when I should really be paying more attention to the mechanics of food photography … oh, no wait, look at these fungi and herbology beauties ….

Attempting to stay focussed (difficult while enjoying the delicious book launch canapés brought in by Café Cùil, Skye), I enquire of the helpful team for a lead as to what’s hottest right now, in the post-post-Ottolenghi era. They immediately home in on one I simply have to treat myself to - Ruby Tandoh’s ‘All Consuming’ - Why we eat the Way we eat Now. Not only does the author have her finger on the pulse but it’s very amusingly written so, having my card stamped towards a future discount, I sail off, my reading appetite satisfied by this visit … for now!

@cookbookshopedin, www.the cookbookshop.co.uk - 19a Haddington Place, Leith Walk EH7 4AF

Opening hours: Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 5.30pm