Books

cool - Patricia Jones

Will completely change the way you think about food. Very well written. - Jake Winebaum

holy crap i like this. - Nick B.B.

Read anything this man writes and you will not be disappointed! - Mark Feaver

Fun insight into lunatic gluttony of Batali and the scary eccentricity of Marco Pierre White. Buford's apprenticeship at an italian butcher is also a fun story - John Dowling

best book to take on vacation to Italy - Sharon Riley

I don't seek out books about food, but this one was great. Made me hungry but glad I don't work in a kitchen. - Michael Makunas

A rare find: an easy read about food that's actually intelligently written as well. A great read. - Jenny Makunas

Interesting story about what it takes to live off the land. - Jake Winebaum

I loved this book. Before you know it, you'll be thinking about adding an urban chicken coop, bee hives and a garden. - Susan Lucas Kamat

http://www.headbutler.com/books/animal_vegetable_miracle.asp - jesse kornbluth

While I agree with so much of this philosophically and politically, I found the presentation preachy. Pollan is better. - Jenny Makunas

A very honest and real flick...yes! - Kim Ferguson Pine

won't stop at Mickey D's for a while after reading this book..but Happy Meal fans still win out in the end. - Lorette Mah

Eye-opening expose on the impact of fast-food industry on your health, politics, and society. - Donald Chin

- Jake Winebaum

all the recipes work and are so so good. - Julia H.

Lovely coffee table book, but I'd never actually use it. - Kayo S.

The recipes are completely unapproachable but makes for a beautiful memento and coffee table book - Michael Burton

While I would definitely recommend this as a coffee table book and maybe an inspiring read, I would not venture to make more then a select few of the recipes - Yishai Lerner

Excellent book, and the reason I always tell people they have to try something at least 10 times before deciding they hate it. - Carmit Erez

My secret ambition: be Jeffrey Steingarten's long-suffering assistant & witness the insanity up close. Brilliant & funny, totally self-absorbed in the best way. - Jenny Makunas

Welcome to the world of foodies! - Ya-Bing Chu

- Jared :)

Great read about the life of a true chef (read it after I was in culinary school). - S. F.

Probably still the best book on cooking/food/chef-type-stuff that I've read. - Jenny Makunas

Really fun, fascinating read for those wondering what it takes to be a top chef (before Top Chef came along!) - Wendy Weiden

Fascinating look at what makes a truly special chef. - Jason Lande

I think it's supremely generous when chefs give away their trade secrets for the rest of the world to enjoy. This one makes for foolproof & rewarding baking. - Swati R

The recipes are consistently excellent. Skip the croissants, but the tart dough is my go-to crust, shaker lemon pie, banana cream pie, & cheese crackers are yum - Wendy Weiden

I've never made anything from here but everything Wendy made was awesome. The book might have a little bit to do with that. Shaker tart and Banana cream pie! - Yishai Lerner

Top notch, grab one for your bar and one for your coffee table. - Michael Burton

Must have for anyone who makes cocktails. Best cocktail book I have come across and if you are in SF, go to absinthe to try the originals. - Yishai Lerner

- B.L.

- Greg Sterling

I know many don't like her, but Nigella is my go-to for most recipes, from fancy to everyday. Great ones in here, Halloumi Bake is a weekly meal at my house. - Jenny Makunas

Really enjoy the recipes from this cookbook. Lots of variety, easy to make, tasty and a lot of jewish holiday foods. - Yishai Lerner

I met Lebovitz at Manresa and heard lots of recs for this one. Working my way through after buying my ice cream maker. Great recipes! - Ya-Bing Chu

- Kimberly Mahler

- Libby Caldwell

Inspirational and touching. - John Dowling

From the creators of the Post Punk Kitchen, this is an entertaining recipe book. Will make you want to put on your apron & get down and dirty with it. [|} - Swati R

I don't bake much, but have made wonderful dishes from here. A fun read, and beautifully photographed. I want her pantry, especially her cupcake decorations. - Jenny Makunas

- Nicole Brunet

This book is the best thing that has ever happened to my mouth. - Ryan Grove

Wonderful read. Pepin is so personable. Aside from his fascinating life, the book also offers an insider's view of the transformation of NYC dining. - John Dowling

Grew on me, especially as I turned to it to create celebratory meals. Especially love the alternative ideas (no standard kugels) for Jewish holidays. - Jenny Makunas

Written by a Zen monk, simple vegetarian cooking sprinkled with anecdotes of humor and words of wisdom. Also makes for excellent bedtime reading. - Swati R

Not as good as her other books, but great quick ideas in here. Skip the easy chocolate mousse, go for coq au riesling, white bean mash, others. - Jenny Makunas

Read next.... - Don Thomson

Educational recipe book with lots and lots of info on traditional diets. - G.M.

Really enjoyed this collection of stories from the wonderfully cynical and insightful Anthony Bourdain. - Jason Lande

My favorite Nigella, possibly my favorite cookbook. I adore her approach to food, especially wrt light eating, kids, dinner parties, and holidays. A must have. - Jenny Makunas

Excellent "autobiography" of a food critic that takes the reader through the roller-coaster ride of her career and life through Paris, Barcelona, and China. [more...] - Kristina Soriano

every cook needs this, has all the info/reference you might need. - Nicole Brunet

Can't recommend enough. Great simple tasty recipes for pretty much any veggie and more. Great complement to a CSA box. Perfect for eat local Month! - Yishai Lerner

Very straight forward account of life in the back of some of the most famous kitchens in London. A good read. - DeNise Salcetti

Swanson argues forcefully for using organic food items. The photos are gorgeous, and the recipes are simple but wonderful... - Mark Tong

Mouthwatering tales and recipes. - Ya-Bing Chu

Super enjoyable read. Jaunty style takes a minute to get used to, but this quirky book is really excellent if you like the bean! - Andy Parsons

Even though incredibly hyped, his recipes are easy/quick to make, good for groups and of course tasty. Brussell sprouts dish is really good. - Yishai Lerner

Grescoe rips the current seafood industry apart with brilliant wit and incisive commentary. Excellent exploration of our current sustainability dilemma. - Casson Trenor

Vivid and intriguing view into the unraveling of the Mondavi wine empire over the past century. - Jason Lande

Great northwest recipes that are very approachable. Interesting chicken wing variation. - Yishai Lerner

This, Julia Child, & Nigella Lawson get the most use in my kitchen. GREAT "cook anything" alternative to Joy of Cooking, diverse recipes, varied difficulty. - Jenny Makunas

Everything you ever wanted to know about cooking meat (techniques, cuts, etc), but I find the recipes just ok, nothing great. - Yishai Lerner

- Marie Vonesh