Customer Reviews

Professional Cooking, College Version

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Great professional cookbook. Although this book is not for the home cook, the recipes can be modified for smaller portions just watch the seasoning. One thing to remember is that the recipes are fully tested but they are NOT standarized because they were written for instruction. What this means is that most of the recipes are not the classic versions but modified versions designed in order to instruct the student. My only complain, and I always have a complain, is the quality of paper which affects the picture quality as well. The paper seem too thin vs. in the previous versions, the paper was thicker. This happened also with a couple of the CIA books. I think this is a new trend with textbooks. Another thing I want to point out is that the Software that comes with it will not work on Vista. It only seem to work with Windows XP. Like other books that I purchase from Amazon, this book had the corners bended and the front cover was scratched. I think that Amazon should work on the this issue but overall I'm happy with the purchase.

I got this book for my wife. She first saw the 6th edition when she took a 15 week-long course at the local college, and wanted this version to compliment what she had learned in the course.

The book itself is quite thorough, and she really likes it. On it's own the book scores 5 stars! The promoted CulinarE-Companion software that replaces the CD in older version of this book is horrible to nonexistent! The book was published on January 19th, and the "software" is only now showing up on the publisher's site (March 1st), and it doesn't even work!! Don't forget, this "College Version" costs more because of this "software".

This is extremely unprofessional. I had to contact the publisher when the software wasn't available on the site, and it took them a couple of weeks to get something online. The problem is they seem to have wanted to save some money by not including a CD with this edition, but instead they run a Flash-based application from their site. You need to register with the site, enter the registration code that comes on a card included with the book (in place of the CD in older editions), then you get access to a Flash page that doesn't even work!

I'm strongly encouraged to return this version, and buy the standard edition for less (it is only available on the Amazon.ca site, and no longer available on the Amazon.com site). This is a real disappointment.

If you are interested in this book, and I strongly recommend it if you are serious about cooking, then get yourself the standard edition and don't be fooled into paying $10-$20 more for the promise of software that does not even exist.

Cheers.

My son started culinary school this year, and this was one of his first textbooks. He and I enthusiastically poured over it that first day, and I was so impressed I picked up a copy on Amazon.

This is not a cookbook - though it has plenty of superb recipes. It is a textbook on art of cooking. Knife skills, spices, flavors, how to make stocks and sauces, presentation. This is professional level cooking from an expert chef.

This is one of the best purchases an amateur like me can make. I've carried this book with me for months at work, just to enjoy it in my leisure moments. It's that good.

The recipes are excellent, and the software included on the CD allows you to change portion and serving sizes easily. All of the recipes I've tried so far have been excellent.

I had been eyeing this book at the local community college each time I took a non-professional/recreational cooking class. When I finally bought a copy I couldn't wait to sit down and actually open it. I had so much fun looking at everything this book offered. Obviously it is geared for the professional cook but there is sooooo much information and great recipes, that even a novice cook can find something. Skills can be learned, new and exciting flavour combinations, just about everything! I highly reccomend this book for anyone to keep right next to their stove.

Got my brand new textbook at a 40% savings. Its exactly the same as I would've gotten from the school bookstore, just a way better price. Shipping was fast and the shipping price quite reasonable.

Like many others, I had to buy this book for the text in my Culinary classes this Fall. I like the book itself, lots of recipes, but be aware this is not a home cook book, it is intended for a chef working in a restaurant or other establishment where you are preparing large amounts. The recipes can be difficult to scale down to smaller portions.

My problem with this book is with the software, the "CulinarE Companion". Getting to the point: it's awful. It takes up HUGE amounts of space on your computer (over a GB), and it uses an odd browser-based interface. Takes for-ev-er to load, too. Occasionally mine will fail during loading, something about an "IP stack error". I decided to get this more expensive version of the book so I'd have the software (my instructor left it up to us, she didn't require it), on the premise that I'd be able to start loading up my own recipes, have everything in one place instead of this pile of various papers that we have at home now. What a joke, this DOES NOT WORK. I'm convinced it's pretty much not possible to add your own recipes, it screws them up so badly. It randomly changes ingredients and amounts, I gave up.

So my advice is to NOT buy this version, go for the cheaper one that doesn't include this terrible software, you're not missing anything, and you'll save $30-35 as well.

Wanted to replace a book that my cousin WOULD NOT return (probably because it is so wonderful), and wanted the replacement in the same or nearly the same condition as mine is. Rec'd the book and CD well before order expiration, and in LIKE NEW condition. Good value for money spent.

The book came brand new. This book covers everything from knife cuts to small sauces to advanced recipes. It is great for the student chef.

Best service I could ask for! The shipping was extremely fast, book was exactly as described. I will definitely be ordering from you again! Keep up the wonderful service!

Great text and reference book for Culinary School Students and any cook... Great explainations and the receipes are true and tested and have always worked out great...