I enjoy cracking open a brand new cookbook probably just as much as watching cooking shows, which has somehow become the default setting on my tv. Cookbooks and cooking shows inspire me to try new recipes and flavour combinations in my everyday cooking and occasional baking creations. Master Chef judge Graham Elliot's "Cooking Like A Master Chef: 100 Recipes To Make The Everyday Extraordinary" is basically the best of both foodie worlds! I'm a fan of the Master Chef and Master Chef Junior tv shows, so when Simon & Schuster Canada invited me to a cookbook event with Graham Elliot in Toronto I jumped at the chance to test out a few of his recipes ahead of time and MEET HIM IN REAL LIFE! Sorry, was I yelling? I'm still in awe that I actually met this chef extraordinare in person and I can tell you he is super friendly, wears a warm smile, and very generous with his time! He didn't even mind me staring at him like a dazed fan or that awkward time when I finally found my words and yelled goodbye to him as I was leaving the store. No, I was not being escorted out by security. Why would you even think that sort of thing? I will have you know authors and chefs happen to be my rock stars so being in a state of fandom is to be somewhat expected. Anyways, back to talking about the cookbook! I tried out a savoury meal and a dessert for good measure. Check out my take on Graham's Elliot's recipes:

Sesame Chicken Thighs With Bok Choy And Plums
Sugar Cookies

                                         

Plus a sneak peek at some delish COOKING LIKE A MASTER CHEF recipes and a COOKING LIKE A MASTER CHEF cookbook giveaway!