To start: inspiring women who cook, write and generally do great things

Illustration by Jesse Philips

A round-up of inspiring women (in no particular order), including the recently named 'World's Best Female Chef', cookbook heroes, and your neighbourhood restaurateurs (if you live in Leslieville)...

Heidi Swanson
     (download a free menu sampler from her new book here)

Alice Waters

M.F.K. Fisher

Donna Hay

Clotilde Dusoulier

Ruth Reichl

Elizabeth David

Anne Sophie Pic

      (poke around her gastronomic universe here)

Sally Butcher

Madhur Jaffrey

Diana Henry

Chefs Crawford & Kirk

Christele Albert

Deb Perelman

(and last, but most inspiring) Kris Carr