Customer Reviews

The Best of America's Test Kitchen

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I checked this DVD out of the library, then decided I needed to own my own copy. It's the best cooking class I've ever attended (even better--you can freeze and rewind a DVD. Try asking a cooking teacher in a class to back up.) The recipes are well-thought out (and tasty!), the instruction entertaining and easy-to-follow, and the tone down-to-earth. This show is about teaching you, not entertaining you with catch phrases and wacky food combinations. It acknowledges that you're not a gourmet chef with unlimited time, a pantry full of exotic ingredients, and a kitchen full of gadgets. Instead, they keep it real. Bow-tie clad Christopher Kimball is no one's idea of eye candy, but he's personable and warm, and he keeps the show grounded in the real world by asking questions, making suggestions, and adding to explanations. Everyone involved comes across as a real person, not a celebrity with an inflated ego.
The "hook" of America's Test Kitchen is that they try all sorts of different ways of making a recipe for weeks behind the scenes, then show you the ingredients and preparation method that they found made the tastiest result. They also test and rate ingredients (like brands of dark chocolate) and tools (like food processors) and give you recommendations in various price ranges. All the recipes (and some bonus ones) are included on the DVD--just load it into your computer.
For anyone who loves to cook but still has a thing or two to learn, this DVD is a real find. For a beginner, it is a great introduction to the kitchen.

Christopher Kimball and his cooking shows are my absolute favorite! These recipes are real. The explanations are real. The demonstrations are straightforward and awesome! Perfect for beginners or old pros that need some help remembering :)

i came across this in the library in tinker afb.the first dvd i watched is best weeknight recipes and i am telling you,all the recipes are awesome n so so very easy to prepare.this 30 ESSENTIAL RECIPES BOX is a compilation of 3dvds including the BEST BAKING RECIPES AND THE BEST ENTERTAINING RECIPES.so iam ordering them frm amazon.very highly recommended.

I love this group, as they clearly love cooking and have engaging personilties. I can't honestly say that I've ever felt inspired to use any of their recipes though...so I would gather that, to me, its more entertainment than anything else...I have often tried Lidia Bastianich and Everyday Food recipes...I would recommend those DVD's over these.

The DVD menu is nice, you can pick and choose the recipes and reviews you want to watch. Purchased as a gift for my wife, she really likes it

Baught this for my wife, she loves the show. I have watched the DVD with her and have enjoyed it very much.

America's Test Kitchen never lets you down. These videos were extremely informative. The recipes were included, and I will be testing numerous of the recipes covered in the videos.

This is the first America's Test Kitchen video I have ordered and I love it!! I can put it on "pause" when I need to be elsewhere and pick up where I left off -- not possible in TV viewing. The recipes are printable; and although I have cooked for years, I am learning so much from viewing basic preparation and cooking techniques I never knew before. Highly recommended!!