James Barber (1923 – November 29, 2007) was a Canadian cookbook author and host of Urban Peasant, a CBC cooking show.
Born in the United Kingdom, Barber worked as an engineer before becoming a food critic for the Vancouver Sun. His lifelong interest in food and writing and his increased knowledge in these areas naturally led him to become a cookbook author. Following his retirement, he spent his remaining years on his farm in British Columbia's Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. An energetic and passionate man with a large personality, Barber strove to empower others to do things for themselves.
Barber was married twice and fathered five children; 3 sons and 2 daughters. Perhaps fittingly, Barber died peacefully at his farm of natural causes while sitting at the dining room table reading a cookbook with a pot of chicken soup simmering on the stove. He is survived by his wife and five children.
The Urban Peasant: Recipes from the Popular Television Cooking Series (September 25, 1994 Hasting House Publishing ISBN 0-8038-9370-1)
Peasant's Choice (October 1, 1994 Urban Peasant Productions ISBN 0-9698398-2-0)
Peasant's Choice: More of the Best from the Urban Peasant Recipes from the Popular Television Cooking Series (March 1995 Hasting House Publishing ISBN 0-8038-9370-1)
Peasant's Alphabet: More of the best from the Urban Peasant (September 30, 1997 Urban Peasant Productions ISBN 0-9698398-4-7)
Cooking for Two: The Urban Peasant (January 1999 Macmillan Press ISBN 0-7715-7634-X)
Ginger Tea Makes Friends (August 2000 Raincoast Book Dist Ltd ISBN 1-55192-284-3)
Flash in the Pan (August 2000 Raincoast Book Dist Ltd ISBN 1-55192-312-2)
Fear of Frying (August 2000 Raincoast Book Dist Ltd ISBN 1-55192-310-6)
Chef's Salad: Greens, Vegetables, Pasta, Bean, Seafood, Potato (April 1, 2003 ISBN 1-55285-419-1) James Barber (foreword)
One-Pot Wonders: James Barber Recipes for Land and Sea (July 10, 2006 Harbor ISBN 1-55017-378-2)