As a self-taught chef and creator of The Amateur Gourmet website, Adam Roberts knows the challenges you face in bringing fresh, creative homemade m...
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reviews
Jan 28, 2008
Valerie
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This book was a light read... I thought that it would have more information for an intermediate- to well-versed home cook, but it really seemed more geared to people who don't know how to cook at all (maybe it would be ideal for people who were just moving out on their own for the first time).
There wasn't much in it for me. The chapters focused on topics like how to shop at the farmer's market, trying to expand your palate to eat foods that you don't like, cooking for a date, and eat More...
There wasn't much in it for me. The chapters focused on topics like how to shop at the farmer's market, trying to expand your palate to eat foods that you don't like, cooking for a date, and eat More...
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Jan 12, 2008
Firecooked
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I really hated this book. I hated it so much I finished it to figure out why. The premise is to teach people raised on chain restaurants and frozen dinners how to be gourmets, through a series of chapters of stories about shopping/chopping/table hopping with friends (non-gourmets) or experts (gourmets). The book was preceded by a successful blog, but is not the Julia / Julie project! I was interested in this because I too hope to persuade people that they can do better when it comes to eat
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Jan 02, 2011
Jana
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Read it in about an hour and was thoroughly disappointed since I used to like his blog a lot (pre-sellout to the Food Network and this crappy book, I guess). Disjointed, smug, not educational to anyone who has ever cooked or purchased food, and boring, this book is trying to be both a memoir and a how-to for future young urban foodies. I think I would have enjoyed a memoir about his childhood and his family, who all seem a little nutty, much more than this juxtaposition of two themes that were
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Nov 29, 2008
Dani
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To me, the title of this book is a bit misleading. It sounds like an instructional manual, but I didn't pick up any specific skills from it. It's not a cookbook, either; there are a few recipes in it, but they all came from other cookbooks. This book is really an account of how Roberts connected with cooking and his attempts to get his family and friends to share his passion. He shares anecdotes about dining alone in Paris, tasting food from other cultures, and cooking for his restaurant-obsesse
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May 12, 2010
Tudor-Lee
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I bought this book during a major foodie phase, and, quite frankly, I wasn't much impressed. So far as I'm concerned, Roberts didn't impart any wisdom of which I wasn't already aware. It's a nice illustration of the important elements of cooking (knives, eating out, family, etc), but I didn't think it was worth the price I paid for it. There was also an awful lot of name-dropping and disbelieving awe on his part. That got really old. Really fast.
However, there are a couple of re More...
However, there are a couple of re More...
Oct 19, 2010
Jenny
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I had higher hopes for this book it ended up being just okay, fairly disjointed writing and I didn't appreciate a few of his sexual references. I did appreciate his journey of learning to cook since that is something I want to do as well, especially the part at the first where it talks about failing and that's okay it's part of learning to cook. And I have to admit I was a bit taken off-guard when he mentioned cooking dinner for (and essentially hoping to score with) his date, Craig, maybe I'm s
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Nov 24, 2008
Kasa
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I really don't know why I loved this book so much, but I did. I tend to find his blog unexciting, and don't really read it anymore, but the book was really good. I think that I loved the fact that it was structured around his family and friends - each chapter was a food story about someone. Adam Roberts is a good guy who -really- loves his friends, and it's hard not to like the book as a result. And the final-ish chapter, on eating alone at a Michelin starred restaurant in Paris, was fucking gre
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Sep 15, 2008
Shari
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This book made me remember why I used to read AG's blog every day... and why I probably should do so again.
If there is one flaw, it's surely in the marketing of the book. From the cover, with its apparently "too cute to be mercifully ignored" subtitle of "Shop, Chop, and Table-Hop Like a Pro," it sounds like this is a handy guide to A-to-Z lessons in specific pro cooking and dining techniques.
Sure, the book offers this in spirit, but the real value in More...
If there is one flaw, it's surely in the marketing of the book. From the cover, with its apparently "too cute to be mercifully ignored" subtitle of "Shop, Chop, and Table-Hop Like a Pro," it sounds like this is a handy guide to A-to-Z lessons in specific pro cooking and dining techniques.
Sure, the book offers this in spirit, but the real value in More...
May 04, 2008
Laura
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I know, only three stars. I really expected to love this more. First of all, I felt like Adam Roberts did a lot of hand-holding, storytelling, and editorializing...thus this book is really short on information, on the nuts-and-bolts of home cooking and dining out. Second of all, his self-deprecating, self-doubting persona gets really old, really fast. Oh, stop it! You have your own book, your own wildly successful blog, and now your own webcast on Food Network! There just comes a point whe
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Jan 10, 2010
Mo
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What I like most about this book is that Adam was raised much like me on eating-out and pre-packaged food. As an adult a foray into the world of cooking from scratch was foreign at best and scary at worst. He offers tips and tricks throughout that are definitely for the amateur but worth reading, I think, at any level.
He also includes some of the most honest writing about food in a world where much food writing equals food snobbery. Plus I chuckled a number of times.
He also includes some of the most honest writing about food in a world where much food writing equals food snobbery. Plus I chuckled a number of times.
Jul 24, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
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Roberts, like an increasingly large number of young authors today, keeps a blog about his experiences in learning to cook. The book is composed of pieces taken and expanded upon from the blog. It’s not a bad book, given that it is one man’s attempts at becoming an amateur gourmet. It’s not the end-all of books about learning to cook and shouldn’t be read with that expectation. It was a gentle little read, but nothing more.
Jul 31, 2011
Amber
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An easy read for those looking for the nerve to learn to cook. This story of a man on his journey to make and eat delicious foods will inspire even the most reluctant cook. There are a few recipes, and tips such as how to chop an onion and how to throw a dinner party, but the book is not a detail account of these things. It's one man's account of finding the joy and passion in cooking and sharing it with others.
Feb 11, 2010
Jess
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I finished this book in one sitting. Roberts, a wry, funny narrator who speaks directly to his audience, captures the art of amateur cooking—ranging from the simplest to the most complex. He's unafraid to make his own recipes, torture his family and friends into new culinary experiences, and he also is daring enough to admit using cookbook recipes, which I feel like so few food bloggers and authors admit to.
Jan 02, 2009
Elly
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I like reading Adam's website, so I figured I'd like the book. Like the blog, this is a light, funny read with entertaining anecdotes. I really don't think the title of this book is appropriate. It has the ring of a manual or instruction guide but it's far from. It's mainly Roberts' personal story of how he began to like cooking and food and how you can, too. A quick, fun read but nothing amazing.
Sep 16, 2011
Marshaferz
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I really enjoyed Roberts' blog, so I was looking forward to this book. Sadly, it doesn't translate well. The writing is pedestrian, the content completely fluffy and kind of dull, and, worst of all, the whole thing has a horribly condescending tone. Roberts seems to forget his own joy of discovery, chronicled in the blog, and now talks down to everyone who hasn't already made those discoveries (or gasp! came to different conclusions than he did). It's a shame.
Jan 01, 2008
Ben
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Amateur Gourmet is the debut from Adam Roberts, the writer of a food blog on www.amateurgourmet.com. Adam is a graduate of Emory Law School who ended up studying writing at NYU and chose to begin a career in food writing based on the success of his blog. This book is written for the beginner, but can be enjoyed by an experienced foodie/cook as well. It covers basic lessons on how to get the most out of your cooking and dining experiences, from shopping at a market to dining out to cooking for
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Nov 28, 2009
Erica
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More like a 2.5 really. I picked it up because I like his blog and I wanted to see if the blog-to-book thing actually works. In short: not especially well. It's an incredibly quick read and it has heart, but it just seems like something a little better fit for the web. Or maybe I just expect a little more from something that wasn't self-published.
Jul 31, 2008
Chris "Stu"
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This book doesn't do remotely what it claims to do. Instead of teaching you how to show, chop, and table hop, it just begins the first steps of doing so. It feels woefully incomplete--each chapter is framed around an "expert" or a "student" who he's going to teach/be taught by, but each of these chapters involves what seems like an hour or two of work at the most, such as, say, the chapter set up as a lunch with Ruth Reichl. That's it. You learn about as much from that chapte
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Aug 01, 2011
Brittany
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A good book for one's transition to the world of foodies. Not much actual information in the book, but an entertaining and light-hearted read.
Absolutely going to try the caramel corn. I'm not sure why he thinks it is so difficult. Seems pretty standard to me.
Absolutely going to try the caramel corn. I'm not sure why he thinks it is so difficult. Seems pretty standard to me.
Dec 31, 2010
Liz
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Beyond being bland, the author of this book was pretty self-absorbed - I almost couldn't get through it for all the name-dropping, the constant references to hip, trendy restaurants, and the know-it-all attitude.
Aug 04, 2011
Ok book that follows a man and his exploration of gourmet cooking. Includes references to Ruth Reichl, former New York Times food critic, and to Amanda Hesser, who wrote 'Cooking for Mr Latte".
Oct 26, 2009
Laura
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I sat and read the entire book this morning. Wow. It's not very long and there are recipes you can skim which makes it go by faster, but still... it's not even the evening yet and I've finished a book. I'm discovering that I really enjoy reading about food and cooking and this is no exception.
Nov 22, 2010
Judy
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This was a totally fun book! It isn't something I would have picked up on my own, but having received it as the high bidder for an auction "cooking box", I decided to read it. I'm so glad I did -- the author's voice is very casual, playful, and engaging, but also informative. I'd love to sit in his house and listen to him talk while he's cooking! It's really an adorable book about learning to cook, learning to shop for food, trying different types of foods, eating in restaurants, etc.,
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Oct 23, 2007
Jen
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I look at Adam Roberts website of the same name often. It is similarly written in a very conversational tone and makes for a very quick read. Also my edition seemed like it came in a rather large font. I cook, but not the way my husband (the trained chef) cooks, so from time to time some of his foibles are familiar as shared foibles. One is the big area of knife skills of which I have none. His vignette about going to a knife store with his friend I felt was excellent. I do wish my family (parti
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Aug 10, 2011
Cute, short read, if you like his blog, it's enjoyable, but somewhat of a retread. He has a nice chatty feel to his writing, and this is a fun read.
Nov 25, 2008
Heather
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I really enjoyed this book. The author takes you on his journey from being a non cook to a foodie. An interesting look at food and cooking.
Dec 07, 2011
Celia
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This was a fun book, very entertaining and humorous. I didn't learn much of anything new from his advice but it was fun to read about his sessions with people like Ruth Reichl and Amanda Hesser and gave a little insight into their personalities as well. I'd recommend it as a super quick & easy foodie-read but not for a culinary education.
Jan 25, 2010
Marianne
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I really enjoyed reading this book. It was sweet and lovely and the love that the author has for his family, friends and food shines through.
Jan 02, 2012
AnnMarie
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Didn't finish. Rather juvenile and I wish I had not read some parts with icky jokes. Boring as well.
Oct 10, 2007
I thought I considered myself an Amateur Gourmet, but after reading this I may be more of an intermediate. This book is simple and a bit simple-minded. The author is constantly belly gazing and his self-absorption makes me glad I never had to eat a meal with him. His recipes are classics, but pulled for the lowest common dominator.
This is a good book for those relatives in Idaho that you have whose idea of a fancy night out is going to the local Perkins.
If you are look More...
This is a good book for those relatives in Idaho that you have whose idea of a fancy night out is going to the local Perkins.
If you are look More...
