STA, 8 June 2022 - Anita Šumer, who has triggered a sourdough bread craze with her first book on the topic, won the prestigious Best of the Best Gourmand World Cookbook 2021 award at the beginning of the month for her latest book Umetnost Krašenja Kruha (The Art of Bread Decoration), media have reported.
She accepted the award, which is considered the Oscar for cookbooks, in the town of Umea in Sweden.
Šumer's third book, which presents a number of techniques for decorating bread and baking tricks, was selected as the best among 1,558 books from more than 200 countries. It was nominated in as many as five categories, web portal 24ur.com reported.
This is the first time a Slovenian cookbook won the Best of the Best title at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, according to the portal.
Edouard Cointreau, the head of the jury, said the book was an excellent work of several authors and was magnificent content-wise and artistically.
"Anita Šumer is becoming globally known for living her mission and vision. She has also impressed British publisher Anne Dolamore of Grub Street, who is, in my opinion, one of the world's greatest connoisseurs of cookbook authors. I would recommend this book to all book lovers, and it is truly a must read for passionate bakers," added Cointreau.
The book presents five techniques for decorating bread and various techniques for rolling dough. All of them are also presented in videos, which can be accessed via QR-codes. The book features 220 photographies by Nik Jarh, stylised by Barbara Remec, while Petja Montanez was in charge of design.
"I am incredibly happy and grateful that the jury of the competition has recognised all the effort, knowledge, intertwining of tradition and innovation, and the great love that the whole team has put into this artistic project. That they recognised the sunshine and positive energy that radiates from the book and that attracts readers and baking enthusiasts to create their own bread artwork" said Šumer as she received the award.
Her book about sourdough bread Drožomanija (Sourdoughmania) earned her two Gourmand World Cookbooks Awards in 2019. Learn more here
