Lynne's Thoughts on Building a Personal Cookbook Library
(Culinary History Books and Titles from Ici La Press)
January 6, 2007
Whether you are starting or adding to a personal cookbook library, these tips from Lynne will help as you mull what your collection is going to be about.
- Look at books published by Ici La Press. They focus on books that the large American houses have ignored or have let go out of print. Ici La Press reprints and translates where necessary books mainly from France and Australia. For me, Australia is a great source for ideas and techniques. The emphasis with French titles is on chefs' cookbooks, which are also great for new ideas and visuals. Log onto www.icilapress.com for more information.
- Another part of a cookbook library is culinary history titles. When it comes to history, you want the latest research from the most dependable sources (which aren't necessarily on the best seller lists). Go to the university presses. They are not infallible, but you will usually find solid writers and subjects and points of view that are not the "same old, same old."
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