Books for Cooks...

A collector collects things...it goes without saying that’s what they do, some people collect thimbles, others autographs, but the writer Leslie Geddes-Brown is a collector of books...cook books to be specific.  For in her own book,” A Book for Cooks”, she tells us that she must own hundreds of cookery books... even with all of those recipes to hand I’d like to bet there are still occasions when that  question of “what are we going to have for dinner tonight”, still crops up!

On World Book Day, critiquing a critic is a bit daunting as Leslie Geddes-Brown is a respected writer, but “ A Book for Cooks” published by Merrell back in 2012, may not  be everyone’s cup of tea, as it doesn't contain any actual recipes; instead it showcases and highlights 101 classic cookbooks, and for that reason alone it makes very interesting reading.

I feel that designers as well as foodies will enjoy this book which inspires the reader to seek out cookery books from the past as well as present...as Geddes-Brown, makes reference to the presentation, design and photography in the cookery books included in these 101 classics, with examples taken from each book listed, it is interesting to see how design trends have changed throughout the years...from the line drawings in Modern Cookery for Private Families by Eliza Acton 1845, to the sumptuous photography of Christopher Hirsheimer in the “Heart of the Artichoke and other kitchen journeys” by David Tanis printed in 2010. In fact it was the illustrated cover designed by Chloe Cheese which first drew me to this book, and whilst my ‘collection’ of cookery books is rather modest in comparison, as Geddes Brown says, “as a book person for the sheer pleasure of opening the pages again and again”...this is one book I would like to add to my collection!