's Best of 2001
Recognized as the definitive cooking school textbook, the Culinary Institute of America's The Professional Chef is also the perfect guide for independent study at home. More than 1,000 pages are packed into the voluminous seventh edition, with information and recipes designed to teach technique. It is so comprehensive, it could be the only cookbook you need to own. Almost guaranteed to answer any question you could possibly imagine, The Professional Chef is one of the most useful reference books ever written for the kitchen.

With thousands of photos showing step-by-step instructions, you'll learn to identify and trim any kind of meat, seafood, fruit, and vegetable, and extensive photos and descriptions of spices, pasta, and grains take the guesswork out of new and unusual recipes. Seemingly complicated techniques for recipes such as Hollandaise Sauce are described with photos and with so many tips, tricks, and troubleshooting guides you feel as though an instructor is cooking alongside you. Organized from the simplest techniques and most basic information to the more complicated, you can use this book as a reference guide, a resource for increasing your confidence in the kitchen, or as a recipe-filled cookbook. The seventh edition has been completely reworked to include more-contemporary techniques alongside classic, more-sophisticated recipes, and there's greater emphasis on food safety, nutrition, and technology in the kitchen. --Leora Y. Bloom


From Library Journal
In the seventh revised edition of the basic textbook for the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the editors claim that they explain to the potential chef not just how to cook, but why the CIA insists on doing things the way it does. Since the CIA is often criticized for problems ranging from its devotion to classic French technique to its role in maintaining the patriarchy that dominates the profession, such justification seems in order. But there is actually little of it, either in the introductory essays or in the text that follows. There is little else to find fault with in this well-organized, comprehensive text. But while anyone aspiring to a career in food service may find it useful, it falls short of being a good learning text for the average cook. Its recipes are all written in scaled formulas, rather than in the cups and spoons measures most consumers use. In addition, those recipes mostly yield ten servings, and the task of reducing them to manageable proportions will put off most nonprofessional users. So although this is an excellent guide to the profession, it is recommended only for academic libraries supporting culinary programs and larger public libraries with comprehensive cookery collections. Tom Cooper, Richmond Heights Memorial Lib., MO Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Review
THE PROFESSIONAL CHEF by the Culinary Institute of America, a reference work for cooking pros and serious home cooks since the 1950s appears in its seventh edition from John Wiley in October. The 1,056-page work has been redesigned with new color photography throughout, 1,400 photos in all. "The philosophy of cooking and the way of looking at the fundamentals of cooking have changed since we published the sixth edition in 1996," says senior editor Pam Chirls, "and in this one, the visual aspect of cooking drives the content. If you're making pasta, in the existing edition you get a written explanation and recipes. In the new edition, we have step-by-step photographs to help the reader function in the kitchen." Pro Chef 7, as it is familiarly known, also includes more than 660 recipes with some 200 variations. (Publishers Weekly, July 2001) In the seventh revised edition of the basic textbook for the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the editors claim they explain to the potential chef not just how to cook, but why the CIA insists on doing things the way it does. Since the CIA is often criticized for problems ranging from its devotion to classic French technique to its role in maintaining the patriarchy that dominates the profession, such justification seems in order. But there is actually little of it, either in the introductory essays or in the text that follows. There is little else to find fault with in this well-organized, comprehensive text. But while anyone aspiring to a career in food service may find it useful, it falls short of being a good learning text for the average cook. Its recipes are all written in scaled formulas, rather than in the cups and spoons measures most consumers use. In addition, those recipes mostly yield ten servings, and the task of reducing them to manageable proportions will put off most nonprofessional users. So although this an excellent guide to the profession, it is recommended only for academic libraries supporting culinary programs and larger public libraries with comprehensive cookery collections. —Tom Cooper, Richmond Heights Memorial Lib, MO (Library Journal, September 15, 2001) "attractively repackaged so as to appeal to the ambitious home cook." (The New Yorker, September 24, 2001) "...for something more technical I love The Professional chef…a huge and comprehensive guide through all aspects of cooking professionally, and is like a bible..." (Restaurant, 28 August 2002)


Review
"an excellent guide to the profession.... There is little...to find fault with in this well-organized, comprehensive text.... Anyone aspiring to a career in food service may find it useful." (Library Journal, September 15, 2001) "attractively repackaged so as to appeal to the ambitious home cook." (The New Yorker, September 24, 2001) "...for something more technical I love The Professional chef…a huge and comprehensive guide through all aspects of cooking professionally, and is like a bible..." (Restaurant, 28 August 2002)


Book Description
The Professional Chef, the official text of The Culinary Institute of America's culinary degree program, has taught tens of thousands of chefs the techniques and fundamentals that have launched their careers.

Now in a revolutionary revision, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition not only teaches the reader how, but is designed to reflect why the CIA methods are the gold standard for chefs. With lavish, four-color photography and clear, instructive text, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition guides culinary students--professional aspirants and serious home cooks, alike--to mastery of the kitchen. Over 660 classic and contemporary recipes, with almost 200 variations, were chosen especially for their use of fundamental techniques. These techniques and recipes form a foundation from which a professional chef or home cook can build a personal repertoire.

From mise en place (preparation) to finished dishes, the book covers Stocks, Sauces, and Soups; Meats, Poultry, Fish, and Shellfish; Vegetables, Potatoes, Grains, and Legumes, Pasta and Dumplings; Breakfast and Garde Manger; Baking and Pastry. In addition to a comprehensive treatment of techniques and recipes, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition teaches readers other critical elements of the professional chef's domain--much of it universally applicable to any kitchen. From "An Introduction to the Professional," to the identification of tools and ingredients, to nutrition, food science and food and kitchen safety, the book is a wealth of beautifully presented information useful for any cook.

The Culinary Institute of America has been hailed as "The nation's most influential training school for professional cooks" by Time magazine. The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition, the cornerstone of its program in book form, belongs on the shelf of every serious cook.


Back Cover Copy
"A serious reference for serious cooks. It will definitely take a place of prominence in your library."–Thomas Keller, Chef and Owner, The French Laundry "Simply the most valuable cookbook you can own."–Michael Ruhlman, Author of the Making of a Chef and the Soul of a Chef "An unequaled reference and source of inspiration. The Culinary Institute of America has done an outstanding job updating and revising what has become a bible in my kitchen."–Waldy Malouf, Chef and Co-Owner, Beacon Restaurants "A very impressive selection of methods, techniques, and recipes. . . . Simply put, it is excellent."–David Burke, Executive Chef, Park Avenue Cafe and Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group "I am certain that this new edition will quickly become the bible for all chefs."–Paul Bocuse "With extreme vigor and precision, The Professional Chef provides the techniques and basics needed to understand real cooking, which translates into creating with intelligence and respecting products."–Eric Ripert, Chef and Co-Owner, Le Bernardin "The professional chef was our bible when we opened our first restaurant in 1981 . . . and it’s still where we turn when we’re stumped in the kitchen."–Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, Chefs and Owners, Border Grill and Ciudad

FROM OUR EDITORS

This thorough revision of the standard book for professional chefs will please nonprofessionals as well. Once as plain-looking as a drab textbook, The Professional Chef has become as visually appealing as its 660 recipes are appetizing. With full-color photographs and attractive page layout, this classic presents tool and ingredient identifications, finished meals, and kitchen techniques with a clarity that any food lover will welcome.

ANNOTATION

The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition, the cornerstone of its program in book form, belongs on the shelf of every serious cook.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Next to their knives, the tool America's top chefs have used to learn their cooking skills

The Professional Chef, the official text of The Culinary Institute of America's culinary degree program, has taught tens of thousands of chefs the techniques and fundamentals that have launched their careers.

Now in a revolutionary revision, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition not only teaches the reader how, but is designed to reflect why the CIA methods are the gold standard for chefs. With lavish, four-color photography and clear, instructive text, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition guides culinary students—professional aspirants and serious home cooks, alike—to mastery of the kitchen. Over 660 classic and contemporary recipes, with almost 200 variations, were chosen especially for their use of fundamental techniques. These techniques and recipes form a foundation from which a professional chef or home cook can build a personal repertoire.

From mise en place (preparation) to finished dishes, the book covers Stocks, Sauces, and Soups; Meats, Poultry, Fish, and Shellfish; Vegetables, Potatoes, Grains, and Legumes, Pasta and Dumplings; Breakfast and Garde Manger; Baking and Pastry. In addition to a comprehensive treatment of techniques and recipes, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition teaches readers other critical elements of the professional chef's domain—much of it universally applicable to any kitchen. From "An Introduction to the Professional," to the identification of tools and ingredients, to nutrition, food science and food and kitchen safety, the book is a wealth of beautifully presented information useful for any cook.

The Culinary Institute of America has been hailed as "The nation's most influential training school for professional cooks" by Time magazine. The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition, the cornerstone of its program in book form, belongs on the shelf of every serious cook.

The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY, and St. Helena, CA) was founded in 1946. Known as the Harvard of cooking schools, and credited with having "changed the way Americans eat" by the James Beard Foundation, CIA has trained tens of thousands of foodservice professionals.

SYNOPSIS

The Professional Chef, the official text of The Culinary Institute of America's culinary degree program, has taught tens of thousands of chefs the techniques and fundamentals that have launched their careers.

Now in a revolutionary revision, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition not only teaches the reader how, but is designed to reflect why the CIA methods are the gold standard for chefs. With lavish, four-color photography and clear, instructive text, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition guides culinary students￯﾿ﾽprofessional aspirants and serious home cooks, alike￯﾿ﾽto mastery of the kitchen. Over 660 classic and contemporary recipes, with almost 200 variations, were chosen especially for their use of fundamental techniques. These techniques and recipes form a foundation from which a professional chef or home cook can build a personal repertoire.

From mise en place (preparation) to finished dishes, the book covers Stocks, Sauces, and Soups; Meats, Poultry, Fish, and Shellfish; Vegetables, Potatoes, Grains, and Legumes, Pasta and Dumplings; Breakfast and Garde Manger; Baking and Pastry. In addition to a comprehensive treatment of techniques and recipes, The Professional Chef, Seventh Edition teaches readers other critical elements of the professional chef's domain￯﾿ﾽmuch of it universally applicable to any kitchen. From "An Introduction to the Professional," to the identification of tools and ingredients, to nutrition, food science and food and kitchen safety, the book is a wealth of beautifully presented information useful for any cook.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal