In every cook's kitchen, there is a treasured tool: a workhorse utensil,
go-to gadget, or a family heirloom with its own background story and the
lofty standing of being a cook's most-prized possession. These beloved
items say as much about the cook as their style of cooking. They tell
stories about a cook's past and about the moments that led them to where
they are today. For some, it might be a spoon inherited from a
grandmother's silver set, which they use to taste every sauce. Or it
could be a spaetzle maker picked up during a stage in Germany that's
been used during every job since. Whether it's a colander, cake stand,
or a grandfather's iron skillet, every chef has a piece in their arsenal
that gives a glimpse into their cooking history, their philosophy, and
their technique. In the enlightening kitchen compilation A Colander,
Cake Stand, and My Grandfather's Iron Skillet, author Erin Byers Murray
collects stories from 37 top chefs about their favorite kitchen utensil.
The stories, told in the chef's own words, include the tale of how they
came to acquire it, the details that it so essential, and insight into
why--and when--they rely on it. Along with each story, the chef provides
a recipe utilizing the particular tool or something similar, so that
home cooks can try their hand at a professional chef's approach. Laid
out with a minimalist's design and featuring fine-point illustrations of
the tools as well as beautiful color photographs of each recipe, A
Colander, Cake Stand, and My Grandfather's Iron Skillet reveals the
personalities of some of America's best and hardest working chefs, while
giving readers a keepsake of recipes to go along with an insider's guide
to some of the most treasured - and essential -- kitchen tools in the
country. Featured in A Colander, Cake Stand, and My Grandfather's Iron
Skillet are some of today's most respected chefs including, among
others, Jody Adams, Chris Kimball, Anne Willan, Andrew Zimmern, Norman
Van Aken, Linton Hopkins, Joanne Chang, Slade Rushing, Jeremy Sewall,
Ken Oringer, Jonathan Benno, Rob Newton, Chris Shepherd, Steven
Satterfield, Virginia Willis, Ford Fry, and Kevin Gillespie.
