The New Food Lover's Companion: More than 6,700 A-to-Z entries describe foods, cooking techniques, herbs, spices, desserts, wines, and the ingredients for pleasurable dining

This is essentially a dictionary about food. It is a most useful tool for both the experienced cook and the inexperienced cook. Not sure how to use something or what it is? It is most likely in here. It is an easy to use format and has a number of appendices to help further. Need to know how many cups of powdered sugar are in a 1 pound box? It is listed. Always wanted to know just what Xanthan gum is? It is in the dictionary portion. Descriptions vary from a few sentences to a few paragraphs depending on what is being explained. It has an extensive ingredient substitution list, a chart showing the size and yield of pans, so you can substitute if you need/want to, seasoning suggestions for a variety of foods (What herb or spice can I use for this?)From the front cover: More than 6700 A-to-Z entries describe foods, cooking techniques, herbs, spices, desserts, wines and the ingredients for pleasurable dining.I use this book both professionally and at my home and have given them to my daughters and my brother as gifts. They will also become a bridal shower gift the next time I have the opportunity to attend one.

I bought this for my husband as he is a professional Chef. He loves it and said this about it: It is a fascinating reference books (both editions) he has had.The 6700 plus entries cover everything used in food preparation. Most are non-English in origin, but a good phonetic translation is provided.The terms are not just European; this book is loaded with Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and regional U.S. terms It is not a recipe book, but it contains every culinary. If you are a novice in the kitchen, you may learn what many cookbooks assume you understand. Also, the appendix is loaded with all sorts of useful metrics and categories. The Herbsts' have compiled an indispensable source for anyone curious about what they eat. A great reference even for the Professional Chef. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0764135775?redirect=true&ref_=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_19

This book will give mire information about foods and drinks defination or gave me more knowledge. Ibwould like to thank you to the author that make this book.

I purchased the first edition of this book almost 20 years ago and found it to be an amazing resource that I continued to use to the present day. I recently thought to myself, "I wonder if they have updated it since then?" Well, I checked Amazon, and the authors indeed have updated it (currently 4th edition). This new version is literally twice the size of the original book, which already seemed comprehensive. Of course, there have been new trends, fads, and other developments since the early 1990s and the Herbsts have addressed them.Whenever I hear about a fruit or spice or dish that I never heard of before, the first thing I do is check the book! I have moved around to different parts of the US and as I discover regional delicacies, the book is a great resource to learn more about them. I highly recommend it.

Bought the first one in my health food store when we lived in Houston & was quite surprised when I reviewed it beginning to end. There is SO much between these covers! Later after we moved I purchased the second edition & was so pleased, gave some copies as a little gift. Now the deluxe edition is out & it's larger, with gilt edges to the pages & contains even more data. The glossaries in the back are simply golden. There is SO much reference material in these pages, it surely makes a perfect little gift for a bride-to-be, a move to a new home gift or such. Loads of great information beginning to end...Rh

Book is good, but you really should go with the latest edition. It has more information.

Great book!!Great price!!!!

I came across this during a cooking class a number of years ago. It's basically an encyclopedia about food, ingredients, and cooking terminology. One local restaurant chef liked to include oddball terminology in his dinner descriptions. This handy little book had definitions for all of them. There is also an extensive bibliography, illustrations of different cuts of meat, substitutions, and a comparison of US and British names for foods. Fun to just browse through.

Fnb people should go for it

This book never stops being an excellent resource. I bought it under the recommendation of my chef, who has been at it for 30 plus years, and still refers to things in the book. Great for chefs and food lovers alike. Hell, its great for people who just watch food network and want to know what the hell a Brandade or rillette is, in case alton brown doesn't lay it down for them.

This is a friendly and comprehensive encyclopedia of food and is a book for dipping in, not reading from cover to cover.It's attraction is proven by my husband (who is only interested in the food on his plate) spending a good 30 minutes engrossed in it.A good buy.

some of the terms are American but very useful and informative book. A bible for food lovers

I love it, if you are into cooking you will find it amazingly helpful,Any word to do with cooking is in this companion. I would definitelyRecommend it,