The New Cooks' Catalogue

by Burt Wolf

Book Overview

Updated, expanded, thoroughly revised, and now in full color--the definitive guide to cooking equipment and utensils This book offers detailed evaluations of more than a thousand items of kitchen... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375406735
• ISBN13: 9780375406737
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Length: 508 Pages
• Weight: 4.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 8.9" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

Great Help and Sparks Good Ideas

This book was a great help in expanding some of our kitchen equipment. If you visit a bookstore or library, you may find thousands of books on cooking and not one on cooking equipment. This book fills that niche very nicely.There were some items that we had acquired that we knew were really good -- the authors had done their research and it was encouraging that they found the same and for similar reasons. That gave me some reference as to their experience.The book is up-to-date. They have equipment that is top-notch and widely available. The photos are excellent.The book is also a great resource for items you may not have considered or known about. I know that we now have several more items on our list of equipment to buy. This makes it especially good as a gift to newlyweds or people starting out on their own and want to cook.

Great Resource!

I love the New Cooks' Catalogue for several reasons. It's comprehensive, easy to use and well written. I also enjoy the historical anecdotes and recipes. The book's design is beautiful, but even more important, the contents are practical and well researched. I used it to determine which kind of food processor to invest in, and now I wouldn't make a serious purchase without first consulting this book. When in doubt, the New Cooks' Catalogue will help you figure it out! This has become an indispensable tool in my kitchen and a lovely addition to my library of reference books.

Who needs a Dummy book.....

I was given The New Cooks' Catalogue last Christmas and it was one of the best gifts I ever received. Good thing I was also on vacation at the time, because I was swallowed up by the amount of information it contained. There's a lot to digest, but it's fascinating. Loved the recipes. What's interesting is that many of the leading food writers contributed to this essential reference book. Next Christmas, I know what I'll be giving all of my friends who love to cook as much as I do.

Nothing Else Like It!

I still have my original Cook's Catalogue, bought when I was in college. I wasn't new to cooking then, but I sure hadn't seen devices like he showed in that book! I fell in love with it then, over the next 20+ years purchased some of the equipment in there, and wondered if there would ever be a followup.Well, here it is, and it is as inclusive as the original! Unlike a prior reviewer, I enjoy reading about the arcane and unique pieces made for cooking. I don't want a book of this scope written like Consumer Reports. In the first place, even Consumer Reports' product evaluations are usually subjective. Plus, their prices aren't accurate. Yes, I rather wish Mr. Wolf had at least given some range of prices for items in the book. However, I don't consider it a real drawback, as prices do vary enormously even on the web. I found the recipes and other inserts pleasing and practical. The color photos were also welcomed for this edition. There is literally no way to cover all kitchen products on today's market, but Mr. Wolf goes further than anyone else I've seen in trying. I tend to be a kitchen gadget and utensil freak anyway so this book is right up my alley. Otherwise, and particularly for the novice in cooking, I have doubts about its utility.

Every cook's essential tool guide!

Kudos to Burt Wolf for creating an indispensable collection of kitchen cookware, gadget, tool, electrical appliance and everything but the kitchen sink reviews for both the new and experienced cook. There are tons of books dedicated to recipes and cooking, but this book gives you wonderful information on what cooking equipment to buy. I feel so much more informed and confident in my purchases since I've used this book. It has reviews and information on kitchen essentials all the way to esoteric gadgets you never knew existed. It's a great way to inventory and stock your kitchen. I also love the fact that it includes pictures and descriptions of currently available items with reviews written from an unbiased viewpoint. Also included are insights from many well known and talented chefs.This should have been called, "The Kitchen Equipment Bible." It's that good! Highly recommended.