I’ve been accumulating cookbooks for quite some time, and it occurred to me a few months ago that I have an affinity for culinary books that is probably far beyond that of the average person. I have not amassed as huge a collection as some, but I have managed to cache about 70 (give or take a couple) as of this writing. What can I say? I have a thing for cooking! When I walk into a bookstore, I instinctively head straight for the cooking section. And I rarely forego an opportunity to skim or at least sneak a peek into a cookbook or food magazine if one happens to be laying about.

As a source of inspiration, I find few things greater than the beautiful photography found in many books and magazines. Although I can get a pretty good feel for how a recipe will taste and determine whether or not it tickles my fancy from simply reading its ingredients, there’s something about a stylish, well done photograph of a dish that transports me to a euphoric place. Until about a year ago my main focus had been on comfort foods and books with great-tasting, home-style recipes. My taste in food is quite eclectic and while I will never abandon the good old, down-home recipes of my culture, I am dedicated to continually expanding my culinary horizons.

Occasionally, someone questions my ever-expanding library. The only response I have for such questions is, “If you have to ask why, you probably won’t understand the answer.”

My Favourite Cookbooks

My Entire Cookbook Collection

» Beverages : Cocktails, Smoothies, Teas & Wine

» Cooking with the Big Guns: Chefs & Restaurants

» Cultural Cuisine: Asian

» Cultural Cuisine: Indian

» Cultural Cuisine: Other.

» Desserts and Sweets

» Food Writing

» Healthy & Vegetarian

» Magazines

» Miscellaneous

» Reference (with recipes)

» Foodie Movies

“One certainly cannot learn the technical details of cookery entirely
from books; but if the cooks, celebrated and obscure, of
the past had believed that written recipes were
unnecessary, we should now be
in a sad plight indeed.”

–Elizabeth David
French Provincial Cooking (1960)