It may have a slightly self-congratulatory title, but that’s pretty much the only negative thing to be said about A Gift From The Stars, a new cookbook to benefit the Daily Bread Food Bank. Spearheaded and compiled by Chef Daniel Racine (formerly of The Rex Hotel, Pastaz and da nu la), the book features over 70 recipes from many of Toronto’s top chefs and restaurants, as well as contributions from celeb chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Lynn Crawford, Michael Smith and Rob Rainford. Racine hopes to sell at least 100,000 copies of the book, with $5 from each purchase going to the Food Bank. The initial “Southern Ontario” edition is available now at the Cookbook Store and via the book’s website, and a national edition is planned for 2008.

The first Toronto location of the popular South African grilled chicken chain Nando’s (939 Eglinton Avenue East) opened recently in Leaside. Nando’s is renowned worldwide for their unique Portuguese-style chicken which is spiced using Peri-Peri (or African bird’s-eye chili), and claims celebrities such as Ricky Gervais and Justin Timberlake as loyal fans. Flying in from South Africa for the official grand opening on Wednesday, July 4th will be Rochelle Schaetzl, the chain’s “Global Manager of Culinary Innovations & Compliance” - a.k.a. the woman behind the restaurant’s tasty sauces, marinades and other menu items, and also one of the world’s experts on the heritage and health benefits of Peri-Peri.

There are two closures to report in the Annex, as neighbourhood deli The Cheese Dairy (454 Bloor Street West) and Caribbean café Island Thyme (872 Bathurst Street) have both shut their doors. No word yet what will be taking over the spot vacated by the former (or what will be happening to Beulah, their trademark cow sculpture), but the latter will soon be replaced by a new restaurant and gourmet food shop dubbed Indulgence.

Only a few weeks after opening their second location near Bay and Adelaide, noodle house Sweet Lulu is expanding once again. Their newest address will be 471 Church Street near Wellesley, a spot that until recently housed Statler’s Lounge & Piano Bar.

Up in the Junction, there are a couple of new places to grab a snack. Agora (3015 Dundas Street West) re-opened in early June under new ownership, and held a grand re-opening celebration on Saturday, June 23rd complete with a ribbon cutting by local MPP Cheri DiNovo. The Mediterranean-themed café features fair trade coffee and tea, organic sandwiches and wraps, and sweets and desserts made in-house. Also new to the ‘hood is Bronto Burger (2982 Dundas Street West), a take-out joint with a Flintstones-influenced decor that serves up homemade burgers, Coney Island style hot dogs, and 16 flavours of St. Clair Ice Cream.

Sweet iced treats will also soon be the order of the day in Roncesvalles Village where Bravo! Gelato (411 Roncesvalles Avenue) is set to open on Saturday July 14th. The doors will be opening at 10am, with balloons for the early birds and other surprises planned for throughout the day. If we’re lucky, maybe Buddha Dog (163 Roncesvalles Avenue) will also be open by then, because what’s more perfect on a summer afternoon than hot dogs and ice cream?