The James Beard Foundation, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has compiled a list of 20 books it believes are essential to anyone’s culinary library. Most are cookbooks; The Food Lover’s Companion is an exception and is a reference I consult almost daily.
This presentation includes one of the judges, Charlotte Observer food editor Kathleen Purvis, who chairs the Foundation’s book awards committee, and only covers ten books. The full list is here.
I have about half the books and while I agree with most of the list — not all — I am surprised by the exclusion of a few instant classics, such as The Cake Bible and Cookwise. Are any missing that you consider to be essential? Any favorites here?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m so glad you added this video. It is so much better than reading a list of winners. I’m off to Amazon…
Ooh..shopping! I find it’s easier to remember a book if I’ve seen its cover.