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Behind the Line

Topic: Inspirations

Culinary Inspirations

When it comes to cookbooks, which ones hold a special place in your culinary heart? List your three favorite cookbooks.

Jan 21 2013_telegraph_johnny_306
Right now, I like "Cooking by Hand" by Paul Bertolli, "The Art of Living" by Joe Beef, and "Simple French Food" by Richard Olney.

Last updated: Oct 3 2012

 
Jen headshot
Zuni cafe.. 3 bottles of cider and a rocking chair outside is all it took for me to fall in love with this book. Judy Rodgers is a culinary Goddess. She makes recipes sing with the words she uses... more »

Last updated: May 18 2012

 
Chef greg biggers b-w
The French laundry cookbook changed my life. That book really rocked my world. I still go back to it year after year and just loom at the pictures. That guys technique is just bad ass!! The new ... more »

Last updated: Apr 23 2012

 
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The joy of Cooking which I go to whenever I have a question about ANY cooking technique. I can always find an answer there, and used it as a starting point way back when as a budding self taught ... more »

Last updated: Feb 25 2012

 
Imgres
Cooking by Hand- by Paul Bertolli. This is a really in-depth look at traditional Italian cooking from the ingredient up. The chapter on flours is one of the greatest resources out there. The Fren... more »

Last updated: Feb 15 2012

 
John shields
the original Charlie Trotter cookbook is the one that opened my eyes to the possibilities of food...before bloggers had food all over the Internet and great cookbooks were hard to find. I would ... more »

Last updated: Feb 7 2012

 
Chefhh 113
In no particular order... The River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. The introduction to this book is exactly what I would write about meat myself if I was a little bit cooler ... more »

Last updated: Jan 31 2012

 
Jk
1. Simple Cuisine by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. It was so revolutionary and unique. I still look at it today and I am inspired. 2. The French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller. It was a gift and i... more »

Last updated: Sep 13 2011

 
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  • Hugh Amano
  • Chef
  • Food on the Dole
  • Chicago, Illinois
Thomas Keller's books (French Laundry, Bouchon, Ad Hoc, etc.) always get referenced...and I'm going to count them as one. Harold McGee's "On Food and Cooking", while not a cookbook, proba... more »

Last updated: Aug 5 2011

 
5trottersaw
The first chef book that really made a difference to me was Alfred Portale's 'Gotham Bar and Grill' cook book. It was a glimpse into real restaurant fine dining stuff I hadn't seen yet in my brand ... more »

Last updated: Aug 4 2011

 
Bc headshot 2010
  • Belinda Chang
  • Beverage Director
  • Culinary Concepts Hospitality Group
  • NYC
1. The Better Homes and Gardens Junior Cookbook For the Host and Hostesses of tomorrow- it was my favorite book growing up with its red and white checkered cover and recipes for things like Toad i... more »

Last updated: Aug 4 2011

 
Djd_6414
1. All time favorite: Introduction to Indian Cooking by Madhur Jaffrey (out of print) Solid basic Indian flavor combinations. I use it all the time. 2. Joy of Cooking by Irma Romabauer-... more »

Last updated: Aug 4 2011

 
Dan solo
I should say my own but that would just be narcissistic… So it would have to be Patricia Wells’ Bistro Cooking, Bill Neal’s Biscuits, Spoonbread and Sweet Potato Pie and Rosso & Lukins’ Silver ... more »

Last updated: Aug 4 2011

 
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  • Carey Savona
  • Executive Chef
  • Heirloom Restaurant | The Study at Yale Hotel
  • Fairfield County, Connecticut
I dont think enough credit was given to the Frugal Gourmet Jeff Smith. His books and adaptations of recipe's were historical, poignant and truly authentic. The story of cooking permeated through hi... more »

Last updated: Aug 4 2011

 
Kevinnashan photo
  • Kevin Nashan
  • Executive Chef/Owner
  • Sidney Street Cafe
  • Saint Louis, Missouri
This is a tough one! In no particular order. On Food and Cooking (Harold Mcgee) La Technique (Jacques Pepin) Essential Cuisine (Michel Bras)

Last updated: Aug 1 2011

 
By sean collins
Michel Bras -- I bought it because my chef de partie at the Connaught showed it to me and I blown away by the thoughts shown in the pictures. Cooking by Hand -- I love the thoughtfulness of the ... more »

Last updated: Jul 26 2011

 
Dk
  • David Katz
  • Executive Chef/Owner
  • Philadelphia, PA
That's tough because I love a lot of books. I didn't go to school so books have played a major roll in my growth and interest as a cook. I've been looking at cookbooks for some years now. Here are ... more »

Last updated: Jun 24 2011

 
Pic of sandra
My favorites are The Zuni Cafe Cookbook, Rose Bakery, and Chez Panisse Fruits.

Last updated: Mar 27 2011

 
Cropped head shot
On The Line: Eric Ripert because it delves into the importance of service in a culinary world. What to Drink with What you Eat: one of the best pairing books out there, from food and wine to ice... more »

Last updated: Feb 15 2011

 
Nrv in blue jean shirt
  • Norman Van Aken
  • NORMAN'S at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes, Orlando
  • Orlando, Fl.
There can be no such thing as my three all time favorites. But I was asked to lend some of my favorites to the Miami-Dade Library for a temporary installation of my cookbooks and these three were o... more »

Last updated: Jan 8 2011

 
_mg_9930
How much space do I have? I have over 2000 cookbooks that inspire me. Here's my High Fidelity top 5 (40): Ok, all total this is actually 40 different cookbooks and that was really hard.. 1.) Obv... more »

Last updated: Jan 7 2011

 
Graves
I would have to say my favorite cookbooks are: Harold McGee's "On Food and Cooking" for the science of food. I learned the most about simple delicious food with James Beard's "American Cookery". Wh... more »

Last updated: Jan 6 2011

 
Spoonfeed headshot
Three favorites... The ones I reach to all the time for inspiration when I don't know what I want to cook. The Kitchen Sessions series by Charlie Trotter Bouchon and Modern Mexican Flavors ... more »

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Pondering_my_herbs1
  • Adam Seger
  • Mixologist
  • Hum Spirits Co.
  • Chicago, IL
The Way to Cook (Julia's last, signed copy) The Alinea Cookbook (Most progressive) Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana kitchen (taught me how to cook as a kid)

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Jillg
Americas Kitchen for basics. Bradley Ogdens Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner- tons of great all purpose recipes. Time Life's series "Foods of the world". One of the most awesome set of books, ev... more »

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Sean in the garden
la rousse

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
100_2353
  • Nathan Sears
  • Executive Chef/Owner
  • The Radler and D.A.S.
  • Chicago, IL
Cooking by hand, Babbo, a chef for all seasons.

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Picklesordinary
culinary artistry, the french laundry, cooking by hand

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Chrissycake
I kind of can't answer this - it's like saying which child is your favourite.

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Tony_priolo
Right now These are my favorite cook books. The silver spoon- This is a compilation of Italy's finest. Celebrating the Midwest Table-Abbey Mandel is an inspration! Fresh Water- Stephen Hamilton,... more »

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Pastry chef patrick fahy b-w[1]
Paco Torreblanca Pierre Hermes Sherry Yard

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
247
The Gift of SOuthern Cooking - Edna Lewis and Scott Peacock Charcuterie - Micheal Ruhlman On Food and Cooking - Harold McGee

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
Fehribach_paul
"The Taste of Country Cooking" by Edna Lewis, "Baking with Julia" by Julia Child, and "The Bread Baker's Apprentice" by Peter Reinhart," and "The Food, Folklore, and Art of Lowcountry Cooking" by J... more »

Last updated: Jan 28 2011

 
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  • Jason McLeod
  • Executive Chef/Owner
  • Box Tree Restaurant, Inc
  • San Diego, CA
Pork and Sons Escoffier (all) Ma Gastronomie (Fernand Point)

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 
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1. Harry's Bar 2. Ma Gastronomie by Ferdinand Point 3. Gourmet's France, you can still find it on Ebay and I think you should buy it. 4. The first Inn at Little Washington cookbook. I like ea... more »

Last updated: Dec 13 2010

 

Last updated: Oct 3 2012