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topic: This question is to all the members, Who is your favoret chef?





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message 47: by Kathy (new)

2650921 Of the chefs I have actually eaten at their restaurant--Mark Miller, unlikely food combinations that somehow work (tamale w/cherry BBQ sauce? It was yummy.) Otherwise: Pepin, Madison, Bittman, Madhur Jaffrey, Bayless, so many more but that's a start.


message 46: by Harvey (new)

2878402 The late Keith Floyd has to be one of the greatest, entertaining, witty and he knows his stuff..... living, Delia Smith may lack excitement but she is very sound and the few times I have looked at recipes for guidance she has been spot on!


message 45: by Amy (new)

1883795 Hi everyone,
I have to say, Rick Bayless is one of my favorites. I just finished reading
Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico. Great book on mexican food. I also love the classic, Julia Child. Looking forward to hearing about interesting and good cookbooks from eveyone. -A


message 44: by Lenalee (new)

1982737 THX


message 43: by Alice (new)

1131223 Lenalee wrote: "Wow I need help What is the best spice Rub? Well wht spice rub tht u guys recommend???"

This is difficult to answer because there are many combinations of spices and purposes. There are lots of good recipes on the internet--or try a BBQ cookbook. Combine the tastes that you like.


message 42: by Erika (new)

1037839 Kelly Jo wrote: "Erika - I looked at Eric Ripert's books at the bookstore last month. He's really big on seafood, which my family is not (unfortunately). However, some of his recipes looked wonderful.

Kelly Jo I LOVE seafood!! Thanks for the tip - I know what's next on my wish list.




message 41: by Lenalee (new)

1982737 Wow I need help What is the best spice Rub? Well wht spice rub tht u guys recommend???


message 40: by Alice (new)

1131223 I cannot decide on a favorite--I like anyone with strong regional cuisine--from anywhere. And one of my favorite cookbooks is Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon.


message 39: by Lenalee (new)

1982737 WOOO and Nickstellino I love thte episode when he makes the fruit tarts...YUM


message 38: by Kelly Jo (last edited Apr 23, 2009 04:58PM) (new)

1094613 Erika - I looked at Eric Ripert's books at the bookstore last month. He's really big on seafood, which my family is not (unfortunately). However, some of his recipes looked wonderful.

William - I have a couple of Lidia's cookbooks. My favorite is Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen. What I like about this book is that the ingredients are readily available here in the midwest. My all-time favorite recipe is her lasagne. It's long and tedious to prepare, but OOH so worth it!


message 37: by Erika (new)

1037839 Kelly Jo wrote: "Speaking of Top Chef...I like Eric Ripert. He's been a guest judge a few times. I was looking at his cookbooks and was wondering if anyone has an opinion about them. "

You know, I like him as well - I have seen a cookbook of his, but was at a friend's house, so no time to browse. What did you think?


message 36: by Lenalee (new)

1982737 Me tooo they make me hungry though


message 35: by Barbara (last edited Apr 16, 2009 12:56PM) (new)

1389365 I completely agree about the La Brea Bakery books--both the Breads and the Pastries books are excellent. I also love Tessa Kiros' book Apples for Jam, but more for how it's organized by color and is full of anecdotes. I love the new trend in cookbooks to include personal history and messages. Too, though the recipes didn't intrigue me as much as the miscellaneous content, I do think Crave: a feast of five senses, by Ludovic Lefebvre is worthwhile reading.


message 34: by Melissa (new)

815182 Nancy Silverton's Breads from the La Brea Bakery Recipes for the Connoisseur is my current favorite. I love her organic almost reverent approach to bread making. I also recommend watching her cooking clips on pbs.org. She was a featured chef on cooking with Julia Child and her demonstrations made the information in her book come to life.


message 33: by William (new)

1388102 Perhaps Lidia (Lidia's Italy on PBS).


message 32: by Endre (new)

221572 Lenalee, I am not familiar with "litia" tell me more,


message 31: by Lenalee (new)

1982737 I like Mario Baltelli, wolf gang Puck,simply ming, Tommy taing, Litia, and more


message 30: by Adriana (new)

1013157 Ximena, I have just recently got one of Deborah madisons cook books. (I am blanking out on the name right now) Something about cooking the savory way? anways its amazing! have cooked a few things from it so far. Thanks for suggesting the vegetable soup book by her, i cant wait to check it out.



message 29: by Ivy (last edited Apr 06, 2009 05:20AM) (new)

2078646 Yes that Aunt Bee. This is a very easy to follow cookbook with wonderful recipes.
http://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Bees-Mayberry...


message 28: by Ximena (new)

159592 Thanks..I have room and energy to breathe again! I would also like to suggest another cookbook - vegetable soups by deborah madison - very interesting flavor combinations.


message 27: by Endre (new)

221572 Ximena, welcome back:)) Missed you, Time to figure out how many books we have now:))


message 26: by Ximena (new)

159592 Jacques Pepin!!! I read his autobiography and just fell in love with him..I love his simple french style and his great food stories..my favorite is when he comes to California for the first time and rents a cabin and decides to go snail hunting and come home with this huge bag full of snails..him and his wife go out for the night and I guess he did not seal the paper bag enough, so when he comes home ALL THE SNAILS ARE OUT OF THE BAG!!! can yoe imagine the slime!! LOVE HIM


message 25: by Kelly Jo (new)

1094613 Speaking of Top Chef...I like Eric Ripert. He's been a guest judge a few times. I was looking at his cookbooks and was wondering if anyone has an opinion about them.


message 24: by Susanna (new)

1109068 Jacques Pepin was a great guest judge on Top Chef this week; he really tore into one chef's supposedly Provencal tomato. He has written some great cookbooks, too.


message 23: by Rachel (new)

81536 Jacques Pepin Fast Food My Way

Jacques Pepin is definitely a favorite. His ease with food, the simple, classic approach, and his emphasis on the care and love that go into cooking make him a standout! "Fast Food My Way," which accompanies the television series, is a much loved volume in my library.


message 22: by Susanna (new)

1109068 I think my favorite cookbook is Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking. I have yet to cook a bad recipe from this one, and use it a good bit (probably a couple of times a week).


message 21: by Barbara (new)

1389365 I love Rick Bayless and Jose Andres, because they're both so passionate about food and travel.

My favorite dessert cookbook is by Susan Purdy, "A Piece of Cake", because she describes every step. That book is worthwhile for the black forest cake recipe alone!

My favorite food-themed book is by author Isabel Allende, "Aprodite". It's a book about aphrodisiacs.


message 20: by Endre (new)

221572 Hope your Valentine is watching:))


message 19: by Kelly Jo (new)

1094613 Yes, Happy New Year! Well, my stocking did rather precariously hold a stack of books, but no cookbooks this year. I think my letter to Santa didn't get delivered on time...so I think I'll send a note for Valentine's Day.


message 18: by Endre (new)

221572 Kelly Jo, so was Santa Good to you? Did you get the Thomas Keller books? BTW have a great New Year.


message 17: by Kelly Jo (new)

1094613 Hi Adriana. I have "Cook with Jamie" and "Jamie at Home". I like them both, but prefer the former. I make a habit of rating and commenting on each recipe I make, so my cookbooks are full of little notations. I have nothing but good notes in my Jamie cookbooks. :)


message 16: by Endre (new)

221572 Hey Adriana I have 'Cook with Jamie' and "The Naked Chef Takes Off" they are both worth while to a collection, I preferr the Cook with Jamie as his subtitle implies "my guide to making you a better cook.


message 15: by Adriana (new)

1013157 kelly jo, i do not have any jamie oliver cookbooks but am interested in taking a look at some at the book store. does he have several? if so which do you reccomend?


message 14: by Endre (new)

221572 Kelly Jo, Hope Santa will get you one of his books, Bouchon or French Laundry.Tell Santa there is a Box set of both:))


message 13: by Kelly Jo (new)

1094613 Endre, I have not used a Thomas Keller cookbook, so I must defer to your opinion. I had not noticed anything drastic in Jamie Oliver's timing, but then again, I have enough cooking experience that I frequently read past recipes and do what needs to be done (you know what I mean?).

I'm going to check out a Keller cookbook, perhaps even ask Santa for one. :)


message 12: by Endre (new)

221572 Kelly Jo, I like Jamie Oliver as well, what I find with his recipes the timelines and length seem to be off a bit from real time vs Thomas Keller is more precise. Do you agree?


message 11: by Kelly Jo (new)

1094613 I have to say my current favorite chef, based on his cookbooks, is Jamie Oliver. I have always been a fan of other "classic" chefs, like Paul Prudome and Julia Child, but I find the practicality and simplicity of Jamie Oliver's recipes quite refreshing.


message 10: by Endre (new)

221572 Adriana, slowly but surely our list of chefs and cookbooks is growing. Thank you for your input. BTW I made the French Onion Soup from Bouchon, lot of work, but total success:))


message 9: by Adriana (new)

1013157 I should add another one of my favorite chefs that you can definatly make all his dishes at home and have a great time with is Paul Prudome.


message 8: by Adriana (new)

1013157 william,
I have not eaten at the french laundry yet but i have eaten at Bouchon which was one of the best meals i have ever had.
i have yet to make any of his reciepes at home but i think using parts of his elaborate dishes to enhance a meal would be nice.


message 7: by Endre (new)

221572 William, I tried to get into the French Laundry years ago, you had to call one year in advance and then....No...Unless you knew some one;so I became a bit strong headed. If I plan on paying around $600-$800 for dinner I did not like the idea of what I considered Theatrics, so I chose not to do the calling in favors just for the privelage to eat there.
To answer shorter your second part. Yes, I made the French Onion Soup from Bouchon, need lots of time:)))The Results Superb.


message 6: by Endre (new)

221572 Adriana, I agree Thomas Keller is fantastic. I have two of his books truly an inspirational type chef.



message 5: by William (new)

1388102 Have you eaten at French Laundry or made anything from the F.L. cookbook?
Just curious if you consider his food something the home cook could dive into.


message 4: by Adriana (new)

1013157 i love the idea of compiling a list. That way if there is a great chef people havent heard of they have the opprutunity to check them out! All though the list will be long and interesting.
I will have to add an obvious one right off the bat..... THOMAS KELLER


message 3: by Endre (new)

221572 William Thank you for your input. I would like to add Michel Richard to the List and one of his cookbooks 'Happy in the Kitchen'. A few years ago I went to Santa Barbara and had the pleasure of meeting him at 'Citrus'. Now I want to go to DC, just so I could eat at 'Citronelle' until then I just have to keep cooking from his cookbook He is truly a Master Chef.


message 2: by William (new)

1388102 Tie: Julio Ramirez and Ming Tsai
Chef Julio put out my all time favorite cookbook (The Turtle Bay Cookbook) and his Fishwife Restaurant is a favorite. I was in the Monterey area this weekend and ate there Saturday night. The meal I had was fantastic.
Ming's Blue Ginger cookbook has almost as many spills on it as Turtle Bay and Simply Ming is my favorite cooking show.


message 1: by Endre (new)

221572 I suggest we get a list of 25-50 around the country. We let the group know why you chose the person, does the chef have a Restaurant? Did the Chef write a Cookbook anything you find pertinent.


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Books mentioned in this topic

Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking (other topics)
Jacques Pepin Fast Food My Way (other topics)
Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen (other topics)