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bfls's review against another edition
5.0
This is a reference book rather than a cookery book, so not exactly enthralling reading if read cover to cover (as I did). However, it is an invaluable reference on just about every cooking topic you can think of.
I'm not sure if I'll every bother cleaning my fruit and veg to the his suggested standards, but I will definitely refer to this book next time I need to improve how I make anything in the kitchen.
I'm not sure if I'll every bother cleaning my fruit and veg to the his suggested standards, but I will definitely refer to this book next time I need to improve how I make anything in the kitchen.
ben_s_18's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad book and certainly contains info on pretty much everything. It'll help you better follow recipes but if you're interested in higher level cooking (and are too lazy to go to culinary school like me) then this doesn't help. Lacking on finer details but for what it is it's useful.
mkragelj's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.0
A bit dry as a cover-to-cover read (that’s on me) but full of useful references that I imagine I’ll go back to as I cook specific components.
kaileemily's review against another edition
Don't own it, too expensive to buy but would like to someday
khchristensen's review against another edition
2.0
More like a textbook of information on the hows and whys of cooking. Not the kind of cookbook (not a cookbook at all, actually) that I would just sit down and read. More of a reference.
theobacn's review against another edition
I had high hopes for this because the NPR interview was pretty entertaining. In that segment, Harold McGee shared thoughts on the efficiency of gas vs. electric stoves, choice of cutting board material, how to make crispy fish, etc. But in my cursory review of the book, the first several chapters were truly boring and a flip through the middle meatier sections was not much better. Most of the tips were plain old common sense (not I've-been-cooking-for-years common sense, but truly common sense) and of limited use. I think this could have been a lot more entertaining and useful if written less dryly. Not one I would want to add to my reference shelf.
ejdecoster's review against another edition
4.0
A good kitchen reference guide - more focused on how than why, and full of guidelines and suggestions rather than recipes. I think this would be especially helpful if you're hoping to troubleshoot a recipe, make substitutions, or try something new.