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Becoming a chef is an exciting journey that involves a lot of hard work, determination, and passion. There are many different avenues to take to become a professional chef but reading the right Cookbook can set an aspiring chef in the right direction. Feast Your Eyes Catering asked some top chefs in the industry on what are some must-have Cookbooks for new or up-and-coming chefs. Taking the time to get to know each one of these chefs can give worthwhile insight as they all bring something unique and valuable to the table. Let’s jump into the top must-have cookbooks recommended by 10 famous chefs.

Dina Yuen

Who is Dina Yuen?

Dina Yuen is the founder of The Asian Fusion Girl, a website that focuses on Asian cultures and issues. She is the author of her debut book called “Indonesian Cooking”, a cookbook that provides authentic recipes from the islands of Indonesia as well as an author of fictional books like “Shanghai Legacy”.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“If he/she has a mother or grandmother who was a great home cook, get her recipes. Priceless. Also depends on what cuisine he/she wants to specialize in. For Western Food a must is Julia and Jacques Cooking At Home. For Eastern, Martin Yan’s Asia.” Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home – two legendary cooks Julia Child and Jacques Pepin show the basics of good home cooking. What makes this book great is the amount of rich information presented on each page such as demonstrating cooking techniques (which they don’t always agree on). They also talk about improvising, balance flavors to a round meal, and creating new dishes from leftovers. Martin Yan’s Asia – Yan takes you on a journey through Asia exploring each country’s culture and cuisine separately. Follow her on Twitter Like Asian Fusion Girl on Facebook Visit her website at www.TheAsianFusionGirl.com

Emeril Lagasse

Who is Emeril Lagasse?

Emeril Lagasse is famously known for his Food Network shows Emeril Live  and Essence of Emeril as well as his catchphrases “Kick it up a notch!” and “Bam!” Emeril has written several best-selling cookbooks from Emeril’s New New Orleans Cooking in 1993 to his latest called Emeril’s Delmonico in 2005. He owns a chain of restaurants in Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Emeril has even contributed to space exploration by contributing several recipes to the meal selection aboard the International Space Station.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“Food Lover’s Companion is an invaluable tool. Also, Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a must” Food Lover’s Companion – Best-selling culinary reference book with almost 6,000 listings on topics related to food and drink. It’s the ultimate reference book that answers questions to cooking techniques, meat cuts, kitchen utensils, food, wine, cocktail terms, and much more. The Food Lover’s Companion also has an appendix that has a pasta glossary, a pan substitution chart, consumer information contacts, ingredient equivalents and substitutions, and more. Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking – A great book for any Julia Child follower or lover of French food. It has 524 recipes that apply to beginner to intermediate levels of cooking. It has more than one-hundred instructive illustrations that can be applied to recipes in other French cookbooks. Follow him on Twitter Like Emeril on Facebook Visit his website at www.Emerils.com

Kevin Gillespie

Who is Kevin Gillespie?

Chef Kevin Gillespie is famously known as a prize winner on Bravo’s competition cooking show called Top Chef and was also voted fan favorite by the viewers. He opened his new restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia called Gunshow where Gillespie prepares both refined and rustic dishes and sends them out to the small dining room for guests to choose from. Kevin Gillespie has gain recognition as “Top Five Rising Chefs” as well as “Top 40 Chefs Under 40”. He also published his debut book called Fire in My Belly and was named 2013 James Beard Award Finalist in the Cookbooks: American Cooking category.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“My must have for any young cook is ‘The French Laundry’ cookbook. Chef Keller is a great role model and author.” The French Laundry Cookbook – In this book you’ll find innovative soup techniques, proper way to cook green vegetables, to secrets of great fish cookery, to the creation of breathtaking desserts, and a unexpected take on coffee and doughnuts. 150 superlative recipes are exact recipes from the French Laundry kitchen which is a famous restaurant located in the Napa Valley. Follow him on Twitter Like Kevin on Facebook Visit his website at www.ChefKevinGillespie.com

Curtis Stone

Who is Curtis Stone?

Chef Curtis Stone is known for his television personality nicknamed as “The Quiet Terminator.” He received that nickname from his fans following his performance on The Celebrity Apprentice 3. Stone also made a T.V. show called Surfing the Menu on ABC as well as hosted Take Home Chef on TLC which went on to become an international hit for TLC. Curtis Stone is a regular on NBC’s Today and has appeared on many popular shows such as Martha Stewart’s Martha, Access Hollywood, and Conan O’Brien. He also wrote a series of cookbooks, including Surfing the Menu: Two Chefs, One Journey: A Fresh Food Adventure and Cooking With Curtis: Easy, Everyday, and Adventurous Recipes for the Home Cook. His latest book is Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone: Recipes to Put You in My Favorite Mood.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“I’ve got a library full of cookbooks. Marco Pierre White’s ‘White heat’ was a real game changer for me.” White Heat – This book features black and white photographs and is considered to be White’s first chef memoir. It captures moments in the kitchen of chefs tasting or cooking that are priceless as well as images of White’s team that include a young Gordon Ramsay. This cookbook has also been compared to cookbooks like The French Laundry Cookbook. Follow him on Twitter Like Curtis on Facebook Visit his main website at www.CurtisStone.com

Dean McDermott

Who is Dean McDermott?

You may know Dean McDermott already. He is famous for starring in roles such as 1-800 Missing or Due South. McDermott also became a member of Team Guy on the 2nd season of Food Network’s Rachel vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off and was the winner. He is also the host of Chopped Canada which will premiere in 2014.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“The Food Lovers Encyclopedia. It’s a must. I’m a big fan of Canadian chef Chuck Hughes. Anything he’s published is great!!” Chuck’s Day Off – A great cookbook that includes Chucks T.V personality from his hit T.V show called Chuck’s Day Off. It has over 100 recipes with favorite dishes and menus from the show. It all tells a story by grouping the recipes into menus. Follow him on Twitter Like Dean on Facebook Visit his main website at www.DeanMcDermott.com

Maria Liberati

Who is Maria Liberati?

Maria Liberati is a former international supermodel that has had a passion for food since the early age of 4. She has an award-winning cookbook called The Basic Art of Italian Cooking. Maria has been called the Italian ‘Martha Stewart’ and a frequent guest on radio, television and national media features. She’s also a professional speaker and tours around the world.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“For up and coming chefs a must-have cookbook is by Pellegrino Artusi ‘Art and Science of Cooking'” Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well – known as one of the most significant Italian cookbook of modern times the Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating well has over 700 recipes and has been reprinted 13 times. This book was written in the 19^th century and it wasn’t written for professional chefs but rather middle-class cooks. This book is approachable for any level of cooking. Follow her on Twitter Like Maria on Facebook Visit her main website at www.MariaLiberati.com

Alex Guarnaschelli

Who is Alex Guarnaschelli?

Chef Alex Guarnaschelli is a T.V personality for Food Network shows such as Chopped, Iron Chef America, All Star Family Cook-off, and the Best Thing I Ever Ate. She was also crowned America’s Next Iron Chef on Iron Chef America with the only woman to have that distinction. Guarnashelli authored her debut book called Old School Comfort Food: The Way I Learned To Cook.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“Joy of Cooking. Zuni Cafe. Fanny Farmer. Simply French. Sunday Suppers Lucques. Jerusalem. Escoffier.” Joy of Cooking – First published 75 years ago the Joy of Cooking is a cookbook that has something for everyone. It’s been through at least 9 revisions and has a staggering 4000 recipes plus 500 new ones. It’s also teaches you how to cook and doesn’t leave you high and dry on some of the tougher ones. Zuni Cafe – A popular cafe in San Francisco anyone who has been there knows they never disappoint when it comes to the food that’s served there. What makes this book special is the narration of Zuni’s Judy Rodgers who illuminates a fresh and revealing light on ingredients and dishes. It’s been considered as a book that she be read by anyone who might cook something one day. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook – A great American cookbook that comprises with more than 1,990 recipes. Originally published in 1896 this cookbook has been teaching Americans how to cook for generations. Simply French – Written by journalist and teacher Patricia Wells, Simply French is a presentation of the cuisine of Joel Robuchon who is one of the best French chefs. This book is a must-have source for anyone who wants to improve their understanding of fine food preparation. Sunday Suppers at Lucques – Lucques is a famous restuarant in Los Angeles and is run by Suzanne Goin. The book is separated by menus which make it easy to combine different dishes and desserts. Some of the recipes are involved but completely worth it in the end. Jerusalem: A Cookbook – A collection of recipes from Jerusalem that reflect its melting pot of cultures. This book is authored by two famous chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tammi. The Escoffier Cookbook – Features 2.973 recipes and is the definitive guide to modern cooking. It features some of today’s finest meals and requires a general understanding of how to cook. Follow her on Twitter Like Alex on Facebook Visit her main website at www.AlexGuarnaschelli.com  

Ana Quincoces

Who is Ana Quincoces?

Ana has made quite a splash in the world of media as she made her reality TV debut on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Miami. She is involved with Macy’s Culinary Council and hosts cooking demos throughout the U.S. Quincoces is also an author of 4 cookbooks and counting. She’s also been voted as Miami’s hottest chef and has been taking the country by storm. Ana is also a brand ambassador for IMUSA which is one of the largest Hispanic brands in the country.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“LaRousse Gastronomique and Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.” Larousse Gastronomique – a renowned encyclopedia cookbook that covers everything from cooking techniques, ingredients, and recipes to equipment, food histories, and culinary biographies. Mastering the Art of French Cooking – A great book for any Julia Child follower or lover of French food. It has 524 recipes that apply to beginner to intermediate levels of cooking. It has more than one-hundred instructive illustrations that can be applied to recipes in other French cookbooks. Follow her on Twitter Visit Ana’s main website at www.AnaQuincoces.com

Conrad Gallagher

Who is Conrad Gallagher?

An awarding winning Irish chef Conrad Gallagher is a culinary wizard who runs multiple restaurants. He won his first Michelin Star at 24 making him the youngest winner at the time. Gallagher has also worked in such restaurants like Donald Trump’s Plaza Hotel, Le cirque, Restaurant Daniel and Le Bernadine. He has also published various cookbooks that have won world wide acclaim.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“Thank you white heat – Marco Pierre white” White Heat – This book features black and white photographs and is considered to be White’s first chef memoir. It captures moments in the kitchen of chefs tasting or cooking that are priceless as well as images of White’s team that include a young Gordon Ramsay. This cookbook has also been compared to cookbooks like The French Laundry Cookbook. Follow him on Twitter Like Conrad on Facebook Visit his main website at www.ConradGallagherFood.com

Rick Tramonto

Who is Rick Tramonto?

Rated as Food & Wine Magazines Top Ten Best New Chefs Rick Tramonto is also an author of 6 cookbooks. He also runs several restaurants in Illinois and was named Best Chef: Midwest Region by the James Beard Foundation.

Recommended Cookbooks:

“Jacques Pepin La Technique, Julia Child, James beard, the French Laundry, and elBilli in that order.” Jacques Pépin New Complete Techniques – Selling more than 140,000 copies this cookbook includes more than 600 techniques and methods. It also has 160 recipes that are demonstrated by Pepin in step by step photographs. It’ll show you every aspect of classic cooking from the basics to the practical and complex. Mastering the Art of French Cooking – A great book for any Julia Child follower or lover of French food. It has 524 recipes that apply to beginner to intermediate levels of cooking. It has more than one-hundred instructive illustrations that can be applied to recipes in other French cookbooks. James Beard’s American Cookery – One of the most famous chefs, James Beard, noted as the “Dean” of American cookery he has put together an impressive cookbook. It includes more than 1500 of his favorite and most successful recipes, as well as advice on dozens of cooking questions. The French Laundry Cookbook – In this book you’ll find innovative soup techniques, proper way to cook green vegetables, to secrets of great fish cookery, to the creation of breathtaking desserts, and a unexpected take on coffee and doughnuts. 150 superlative recipes are exact recipes from the French Laundry kitchen which is a famous restaurant located in the Napa Valley. Follow him on Twitter Like Rick on Facebook Visit his main website at www.RickTramonto.com

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