Edouard Cointreau Donates 40,000 Cookbooks to Unique Library

In What's the Buzz by Edward Nawotka

Edouard Cointreau Library

By Edward Nawotka

Edouard Cointreau, heir to the eponymous liquor fortune and chairman and founder of Gourmand International, has donated his vast library of 40,000 books to Paris-Rungis, which has been designated a “City of Gastronomy” — a project which will see the opening of a library, a farmers market and educational centers for food.

In an interview with Le Parisien, Cointreau explained that he decided to offer his books to the project because he really liked “the idea of creating a special place where people from around the world can come and peruse the books.”

Cointreau noted that he began his collection in 1993 and as the director of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, he’s sent some 10,000 new titles a year from 150 to 200 countries. He donates many of them and keeps only a few “of substance.”

In addition to cookbooks, the collection includes poetry, culinary history, books on  restaurants, cocktails, tableware, and the food business. “I know of no greater collection elsewhere,” said Cointreau.

About the Author

Edward Nawotka

A widely published critic and essayist, Edward Nawotka serves as a speaker, educator and consultant for institutions and businesses involved in the global publishing and content industries. He was also editor-in-chief of Publishing Perspectives since the launch of the publication in 2009 until January 2016.