The Book Of Kitchens

The spaces we cook in have come a long way from the smoke- and heat-filled corners that were used as kitchens in medieval houses. Today kitchen culture is led by an impressive array of hi-tech gadgetry and designer-conceived utensils which give even the amateur cook an over-abundance of choice. But when and why did the major events in this evolution take place? Who or what brought about the progression from ice houses to the first refrigerator, from roasting spits turned by servants to childproof kitchen ranges? For the first time, "The Book of Kitchens" retraces the fascinating history of the kitchen space, its appliances and utensils, from Antiquity to the present day. The author Anthony Rowley, a distinguished cultural historian, reveals the origins of the kitchen, centered around the basic sources of fire and water, and the first appearances of modern elements such as the gas stove and the refrigerator. He unveils the history of the spectacular array of utensils that the modern kitchen has acquired, and looks at how kitchen design has been adapted to allow for the room's increasingly central role in the definition of the modern home. Along the way, he invites us to explore a variety of kitchens, from the spectacular suite of rooms given over to the head chef and his staff in French Renaissance chateaux to the humble fireplaces of Albrecht Durer's Nuremberg home or Thomas Jefferson's kitchen in Monticello; from a simple, family room in Uruguay to Terence Conran's modern kitchen in his London home. Anthony Rowley's authoritative text is complemented by a unique selection of images, including photographs of kitchens around the world, kitchens famous for their owners or chefs, and kitchens depicted in fine art. At the end of the book, a detailed "Connoisseur's Guide" selects the best international designers and suppliers of kitchen appliances and kitchenware, and gives information on historic kitchens and culinary museums open to the public. Together, the lively text, abundant illustrations, and detailed guide make "The Book of Kitchens" an unequaled source of information and inspiration for all kitchen enthusiasts.

“A sweet and savory treat.” —People “An impressive feat of narrative jujitsu . . . that keeps readers turning the pages too fast to realize just how ingenious they are.”—The New York Times Book Review, Editor’s Pick From the New York Times bestselling author of The Lager Queen of Minnesota, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is a novel about a young woman with a once-in-a-generation palate who becomes the iconic chef behind the country’s most coveted dinner reservation. When Lars Thorvald’s wife, Cynthia, falls in love with wine—and a dashing sommelier—he’s left to raise their baby, Eva, on his own. He’s determined to pass on his love of food to his daughter—starting with puréed pork shoulder. As Eva grows, she finds her solace and salvation in the flavors of her native Minnesota. From Scandinavian lutefisk to hydroponic chocolate habaneros, each ingredient represents one part of Eva’s journey as she becomes the star chef behind a legendary and secretive pop-up supper club, culminating in an opulent and emotional feast that’s a testament to her spirit and resilience. Each chapter in J. Ryan Stradal’s startlingly original debut tells the story of a single dish and character, at once capturing the zeitgeist of the Midwest, the rise of foodie culture, and delving into the ways food creates community and a sense of identity. By turns quirky, hilarious, and vividly sensory, Kitchens of the Great Midwest is an unexpected mother-daughter story about the bittersweet nature of life—its missed opportunities and its joyful surprises. It marks the entry of a brilliant new talent.

Inspiring is the best way to describe the 38 great American kitchens visited through hundreds of close-up photographs in this beautiful collection. Informative text and captions give full details, from the basic elements of kitchen style to ideas for simple decorative touches. Full color and black-and-white photographs.

There are many great classics of down-home Maritime cooking, handed down for generations. Based on fresh, local, plentiful produce, these are dishes that Maritimers and visitors alike love. As a champion of Nova Scotia cooking and the local food movement, Craig Flinn has enjoyed these dishes all his life. In his new cookbook, he offers great new ways for the cook at home to make these classics taste even better. Included in the collection: The Halifax Donair, The Ultimate Seafood Chowder, Lobster Rolls, Fish Battered Three Ways -- as well as new twists on classics like Scallop and Asparagus Carbonara, Kale Caesar Salad, and the East Coast Reuben Sandwich. Every recipe has been home-cook tested to guarantee great results. This is a cookbook every Nova Scotian, old and young, will want in their kitchen -- and every visitor will want to take home.

Kitchens takes us into the robust, overheated, backstage world of the contemporary restaurant. In this rich, often surprising portrait of the real lives of kitchen workers, Gary Alan Fine brings their experiences, challenges, and satisfactions to colorful life. A new preface updates this riveting exploration of how restaurants actually work, both individually and as part of a larger culinary culture.

AMERICA'S KITCHENS, by Nancy Carlisle and Melinda Talbot Nasardinov, tells the story of this important room and features New England hearths, detached kitchens on southern plantations, Spanish colonial kitchens of the Southwest, elaborate nineteenth--century kitchens in the Midwest, and middle--class open--plan homes of 1950s suburbia. The book traces technological developments such as the introduction of the cast--iron cookstove, the efficiency of the Hoosier cabinet, and the impact of the frozen food industry to suggest how these innovations have transformed kitchen work and changed live