Customer Reviews

Cuisine of the Creative: A Cookbook

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The stunning, museum-quality photographs were taken all over the world as Lambeth and James photographes the prepared dishes against backdrops of the masters' paintings, buildings and restaurants.

A striking example of displaying one's personal possessions, this book seems more of an ode to the authors' material obsessions than either well designed art book or useful cookbook. The contents are at once arrogant (why do we care about the author's fancy race cars?) and the method inconsistent (do the food selections reflect the artists' preferences? or what the authors' would like to serve them as dinner guests?). The layout and typography is confused and without hierarchy which makes the contents difficult and frustrating to navigate. The "research" seems to be a few quotes culled from cocktail parties and art books - sources generally not considered either reliable or scholarly. The book has nice paper.

I was at the James Beard Awards Ceremony in New York and think the Nominee, Cuisine of the Creative, should have won. I'm sure it's difficult to evaluate an incredibly beautiful publication when it's equally as stunning for it's art as for it's recipes. I was glad to see that it won Best Photography Award from the International Cookbook Review in Versailles, France!

We gave this as an inspirational type of cook book to our grand daughter, a new bride. We hope that in times when things like house keeping and cooking become routine and a bit boring that it will stimulate her to again try for magnificence in food presentation. The many pages which connect artistic thoughts with the food inspire a new plate to palate relationship. This is NOT a how to cook book; more a set of suggestions of how to present a dish in mouth watering anticipation.

"Cuisine of the Creative" is equal parts Architectural Digest, Art News, Popular Photography and Bon Appetit...a stunning achievement.

Received this collection as a gift from a friend. To say the least it was disappointing. The authors are so self centered they focus less on the food and more on their assets. The recipes are ok, if you can find the ingredients. Naturally there will be a few missing as well as I found. I was a bit surprised the James Beard group would consider this one, but the pictures are nice -- just don't try to cook from it.

[...] This is one of the choicest Cook Books/Menu Planners ever assembled. The food is stunningly photographed; the fare is elegant, simple yet extraordinary.

Its also entertains to speculate how each artist relates to his described menu. Some are obvious (Keith Haring & Hot Dogs . . . I'm sure they'd make his palate respond involuntarily or say Dali with a crayfish consommé). Superb photos compliment all of the selections & I find the whole concept wonderfully amusing.

Since the recipes are still the heart of the matter I'll compliment them again by saying that while almost ordinary at times, they're the quickest routes to a quality repast & the juxtaposition with the artists work produces an epicurean bonanza for the sensualist.

Very presentable book. I purchased for my wife based upon a review in a Tulsa, OK newspaper. The book lived up to the review. It is a very pretty book and has received many positive comments from guest. Have tried two of the recipes, with wonderful results.

Jim Lambeth has done another exceptional job. He has captured the art of cooking with the art of photography. What a beautiful book to display. Thank you Jim and Miles. John A. Heitz