The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards were founded in 1995 by Edouard Cointreau. Every year, they honour the best food and wine books, printed or digital, as well as food television.

A total of 162 countries participated in 2011 in the “Gourmand World Cookbook Awards”. The finalists come from 71 different countries. Last year, 80% of finalists registered for the event, and there were 1250 guests.