In the realm of Canadian kitchens, few names evoke as much reverence as the legendary Bonnie Stern. We at Canadian Living have been long-time fans just like thousands of Canadian home cooks who have much loved, well worn, food-stained copies of Bonnie’s cookbooks on their shelves. 

Bonnie is a culinary icon, captivating the hearts (and stomachs) of home cooks since long before the digital age.  Pre internet she was already making waves, gracing television, and radio shows, solidifying her status as a media sensation.

Fast forward to 2024, and Bonnie is again in the spotlight, this time in collaboration with her daughter, Anna Rupert, for a cookbook that promises to be nothing short of culinary magic. The Junior League of Toronto has taken notice, honouring Bonnie with the prestigious 2024 Culinary Trailblazer Award – a testament to her enduring influence.

The award will be presented on April 25, 2024, at the Junior League of Toronto’s Chef’s Showcase dine around event featuring some of Toronto’s top chefs.

Canadian Living managed to steal a moment from Bonnie's hectic schedule for an exclusive chat, offering readers a glimpse into the extraordinary journey of this culinary luminary. Read on as we delve into the world of Bonnie Stern, a trailblazer whose culinary legacy continues to shape the Canadian food scene.

CL: The JLT bestows their Culinary Trailblazer Award annually to a woman who has changed the face of Canadian Cuisine, a Canadian Woman who has served as an inspiration to home cooks and/or women in the culinary industry over a substantive career. Someone who has acted as mentor and motivator and who has a history of bringing to light and creating Canadian food stories. That is a mouth full of accolades, how does it feel to be declared to be a Canadian Culinary Trailblazer?

BS: Wow! And old! Just kidding. I never think of myself like that. But it is really incredible that others might. It’s really an honour – mainly that I could have had a positive impact on people’s life in the kitchen.

CL: You are the second recipient of this award, the inaugural, last year, was the legendary Elizabeth Baird and in fact it was Elizabeth who suggested you as the 2024 Trailblazer. That’s illustrious company! Being seen to have made such a significant contribution must be interesting. What do you think your biggest contribution has been?

BS: First of all, I am so glad Elizabeth was honoured with this award – she really is the original trailblazer. I’m in amazing company and it means so much that she would suggest me. Thinking about my career, I think what has been most meaningful to me has been making home cooks feel that what they’re doing is important, and to make home cooking easier and more approachable for them.

CL: This award celebrates women who have mentored others in the kitchen, you are kind of a queen of multi generational cooking. You recently hosted a Challah making event that connected generations and you latest cook book, Don’t Worry Just Cook, was written with your daughter Anna Rupert. 

BS: I think it’s wonderful and meaningful when recipes get passed down through generations, but I do think it’s the stories told through recipes and the memories of people through those stories that get passed down that are so important. Often when recipes move through generations they change for a multitude of reasons – available ingredients, trends in cooking, changing locations and equipment – but the stories remain and that’s a gift.

CL: You have taught generations the joy of Jewish cuisine. How important is it, especially in today’s world, to preserve and pass down these food traditions and the stories that go with them?

BS: Oh look at that! I predicted the next question! Clearly, I think it’s so so important and wonderful. A part of Jewish culture is to give to other people, to help others, and this is one of my ways of doing that and so for me it’s integrated that way into my Jewish life.

CL: You have written countless cookbooks, hosted two national cooking shows, taught cooking around the world and written enough food columns to fill a library, is there one element of foodie fabulousness that you have yet to conquer…in other words, what’s next for Bonnie Stern?

BS: If you asked Anna, she would say independence in social media. Which may or may not ever be achieved, so I’m very thankful for her and my son Mark. That’s certainly the way the food world seems to be moving and it’s been a nice way for me to reconnect and stay connected with so many people since I closed my cooking school. And to continue helping make home cooking accessible to as many people as I can.

COME AND CELEBRATE BONNIE STERN AS THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF TORONTO AWARDS HER THEIR CULINARY TRAILBLAZER AWARD FOR 2024!

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