My Kitchen: Real Food From Near and Far (New Voices in Food) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I love Stevie Parle's "My Kitchen: Real Food From Near and Far"; not so much for its recipes (many of which, as a vegetarian, I cannot eat and do not want to prepare) but simply for the way he encourages his readers to think -- feel almost -- about the act of food selection, preparation and (most importantly) sharing.
The book is divided into chapters by month, providing an emphasis on seasonality of ingredients, as well as ensuring an appropriateness to the season for the recipes in which they are used. The failure in that particular approach here, however, is that each chapter is kept relatively short, with a tendency to do no more than present each month's culinary highlight, so that bounteous months, for instance, feature no more items of produce than the bleaker empty months of winter, consequently omitting much along the way.
As a recipe book, then, "My Kitchen..." presents itself as somewhat thin and most especially so at times of the year when one is overwhelmed with choice and may be looking for new ways to enjoy old favourites, or for information about new discoveries. Nor does its presentation offer much by way of practicality in the kitchen, printed as it is on highly absorbent paper, often heavily coloured and with poor contrast, making some pages difficult to read in a hurry and prone to taking damage from greasy fingers and splashes. Where it redeems itself for me is in Stevie Parle's fresh and exuberant approach to writing (and thinking) about food and the place it should take in our lives. Imbued as it is with an overtly Eastern philosophical, almost spiritual, outlook but applied to an eclectic broad-ranging cuisine, this book provides a thought-provoking base from which to embark on one's own culinary voyage of discovery, be that on the global scale or at the more local and personal level.

Click Here to see more reviews about: My Kitchen: Real Food From Near and Far (New Voices in Food)

My Kitchen is an eclectic collection of delicious and varied recipes from one of the world's most exceptional young culinary talents. This charming mixture of stories and recipes is divided into twelve monthly chapters, with dishes based around seasonal bounty and Stevie Parle's global inspirations. Within each chapter, he gives a master class about a single food. Part of the NEW VOICES IN FOOD series, featuring rising young stars in the food world.

Click here for more information about My Kitchen: Real Food From Near and Far (New Voices in Food)