Book of Donair: Everything you want to know about Nova Scotia's unofficial food

by Lindsay Wickstrom

Whether you call them gyros, kebabs, doner or donairs, this guide tells you everything you want to know about the history of the world-famous street food.

Book of Donair: Everything you want to know about Nova Scotia’s unofficial food, is the definitive guide to this much beloved delicacy. In Book of Donair, Lindsay Wickstrom explores the history of the donair, and the people who shaped this Halifax-born kebab into the iconic Canadian street food it has become.

Donairs were originally not for the lucky-in-love, but the recourse of the degenerate. They were the butt of toilet humour, the scapegoat of indigestion. The mystery meat with the secret sauce was wrapped in urban legend. It was so commonplace that we took it for granted, no more significant than hamburgers or spaghetti.

We didn’t realize that it was ours. It wasn’t until we made westward pilgrimages to Ontario or Alberta for school or work that the donair became a symbol of “home.” Book of Donair has everything you want to know about donairs—and were going to ask anyway.

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2020

Reviews

[Keisha Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious entertaining book about a national treasure. I never really wondered about the history of the donair, but when I saw this in the bookstore, there was no way I could pass up the chance to learn.

Covers the history from Greek/Turkish/Lebanese origins, the first restaurant that served the dish, to the abominations that are the variant donairs of modern western Canada, and the donair-inspired fusion foods. A compelling argument was made to be open to the idea of new donairs.

Now I need to try donair gnocchi...

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really very informative, lots of interesting history concerning the donair! Fun anecdotes (love the doctor traumatizing the author as a child with his donair farts). Pretty much every place to get a donair or donair themed food in NS. Would have loved a few different recipes to try at home but I suppose those are carefully guarded secrets. Very interesting, enjoyed reading it

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book, easy read. A little casual in tone, but it seemed appropriate for the subject matter at hand.

I enjoyed the Albertan connections in the history, as I wasn't aware of them before hand, as well as the 'Extra Sauce' bits. The wine pairings were especially cute.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am from the Halifax area and now living out west. This book stirred up all the nostalgia. Great history and I’m looking forward to trying some of the recipes!

[Nada Loughead · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review at https://canadiancookbooks.ca/book-of-...