There are really no new recipes, only millions of variations sparked by somebody's imagination and desire to be a little bit creative and different. -- James Beard

{HISTORY}

In the 1970s James Beard wrote a syndicated column about any and all things food-related from recipes to equipment, travel to technique, preparation to personal taste.  In 1974, he bundled the best of those articles and recipes into this book, Beard on Food, which reads more like a table conversation than a traditional memoir or cookbook. The result is an intimate dive into the mind and heart of one of America's most beloved cooks of all time. 

Broken down into 11 loosely assembled "chapters," this book is fascinating since J.B. provides so much interesting information pulled both from history and his own experiences. He talks about restaurants he's visited, the origin stories of ingredients, about cooking flops that proved terrible and culinary creativities that caught instant success. He meanders through thoughts on equipment he loves (and loathes), about childhood experiences, about party planning, about kitchen modernization, about wine and spices and the best time of day to enjoy a glass of sherry, etc, etc in such a captivating and intriguing voice you'll be captivated from the start. In this book, nothing is ever dull and the recipes are written out in paragraph form wrapping you up instantly into the story he's telling.  If you ever regretted not meeting him in real-life, then this is your next best opportunity to get to know the big guy himself. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES} 

- Contains over 200 recipes

- 1978 edition, Third Printing

- Includes original dust jacket

- Illustrated throughout by Bill Greer

{CONDITION}

In practically brand-new condition, everything about this book is lovely. Tight spine, bright clean pages, decorated end papers, and cheery yellow and green boards. There is a small rip on the front dustjacket on the bottom edge and a blacked out mark covering a previous owners name in on the inside front end paper. Other than that it is perfect. 

{SIZE}

Measures 9.5" inches (length) x 6.5" inches (width) x 1.5" inches (depth)

{WHY YOU NEED IT}

Because it will fill you up with fascinating facts making you the most interesting conversationalist at the dinner table.