Customer Reviews

Things Cooks Love: Implements, Ingredients, Recipes

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a very pretty book, and it certainly provides a nice overview of cooks tools--but be forewarned that it looks and feels more like a product catalog than a top-shelf cookbook. Yes, there are sexy pics of the equipment, a little (sometimes very little) informative text about how to use and care for the equipment, and recipes related to the kind of hardware being discussed. And while I appreciated the breadth of the material, the author covers so much ground that depth is seriously lacking. In sum, I found the book to be slight, vaguely corporate in tone (read: the author's voice is indistinct), and generally unsatisfying--especially given the relatively high asking price. This is one of those titles that demand a thorough examination of the "Search Inside" feature at Amazon to decide for yourself if the book is worth the price.

This one gets four stars for ambition, but only two stars for execution.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so much more than pretty pictures like most of the cookbooks today. It was informative and helpful. It made me want to get out some of my more esoteric pieces of cookware (like the cataplana and my Pomme Anna Pan)that I haven't touched in years and redisover them. Sur La Table is one of my favorite places to go to in Seattle and the book captured that wonderful feeling of visiting the store. It would make a very special gift for a cook in your life.

This really is a hardcover version of the catalog. Burt Wolf's "The New Cook's Catalogue" is a better bet, even if it was published back in 2000. Even "Pierre Franey's Kitchen," though compact and from 1982, is more thorough and useful when it comes to talking about the gear you need and lust for in the kitchen. FYI--Sur La Table's knife book is not much better. Again, see Wolf and Franey.

I read some of the other reviews for this book and had to add my opinion. The other reviews talked about the presentation of the book, the corporate tone, etc. All I want to say, is this book has some of the best recipes I've ever eaten! My husband is an amateur chef. He owns 100 cookbooks. He's made some pretty fantastic dishes. He's made about 5 of the recipes in this book so far, and each time, they've been fantastic. 5 star taste. Wonderful. So, for myself, all I care about are the recipes in this book and those are wonderful!

This is not your typical cookbook. It dicusses and shows all the various tools and implements to create recipes.then it has corresponding recipes for those tools. I found it very inspirational.

exactly as advertised. a good mix of recipes and information, which is great for some like me who doesn't know much about the recipes or the gear involved. pretty cool for those of us who want to learn more but don't have the culinary arts teacher there with us.

Ever wondered what to do with that tagine you got for Christmas, or if there's anything else you can do with a potato ricer? Why you might want a food mill, even though you have a food processor? It describes how to choose and use all the weird and wonderful kitchen gadgets, and also lists and more importantly explains the pantry ingredients you also might want to have. It also has a few recipies for each gadget.

This is a great book for anyone who has several cookbooks, and wants to take the next step.

I'm big on great photos and lots of background and information on recipes or cooking equipment and this book fit the bill. While I would have enjoyed a few more recipes - the information was great and made this book good for me.

This is a really helpful cookbook which describes cooking implements as well as ingredients both for common and global kitchens. I think it is a must-have for the beginning cook as well as for a more experienced person in the kitchen. The photos are spectacular! A piece of cookware is explained, alternatives are given and then several recipes are included for each. Tips for use are included as well. There are also explanations for ingredients used in cooking around the globe too. This would make a great shower gift for the bride to be as well as a wonderful gift for the cook or want-to-be cook in your life. Get one for yourself while you are at it. You won't regret it!

Although I bought this for a gift and have not used it, I looked through and thought it looked amazing. I love the pictures and the layout. Any cook would enjoy this book, both as a cookbook and as a reference.