Even before his death a few years ago, Louis Diat of the Ritz had already become something of a gastronomic legend in the tradition of the great chefs who left behind them written records of their culinary achievements. He wrote his first book in 1941, and it was my privilege to be invited to work with him on this and on his later books, as well as on the articles he contributed to Gourmet Magazine over a twelve-year period, beginning in 1946. Gourmet's Basic French Cookbook, subtitled Techniques of French Cuisine, is the natural and fitting culmination of Monsieur Louis' lifelong career as a chef and teacher of chefs. Montmarault, the small Bourbonnais town where Louis Diat was born in 1885, lies very close to the vineyards that produce some of the finest wines in the world, and boasts as neighbors such famed centers of gastronomy as Dijon, Lyons, and Moulins. In this milieu, it was almost inevitable that every man should be a connoisseur of fine wines and fine food and every woman a good cook, and that every second young boy should aspire to become a great chef. The road to such culinary heights was not open to everyone. The boy had to have genuine talent, and he had to undergo an arduous apprenticeship at no small expense. The ambitious young Louis was fortunate; his father could afford to pay the fee for his two years' training as an apprentice at the Maison Calondre in Moulins. And that he did have genuine talent is a matter of record.

Move over mushy carrots and peas: The French teach their children to appreciate new flavors, ingredients, and textures from the first spoonful. No one knows this better than Jenny Carenco, mother of two and founder of leading French baby food brand Les Menus Bébé. In Bébé Gourmet, Jenny shares her popular recipes from Carrot and Cumin Purée to Baby Beef Bourguignon, along with cooking tips and organizational tricks to help you awaken your baby’s taste buds and encourage healthy eating habits. Recipes for lunches, dinners, and snacks are organized by the major stages of development: 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months and up. Bébé Gourmet features: • Dishes inspired by culinary traditions from France and other international cuisines • Nutritional guidance at each stage from Dr. Jean Lalau Keraly, Pediatric Nutritionist and Endocrinologist • Quick and easy recipes that take under 30 minutes to prepare (many under 15!) • “Yummy Tips” on adapting recipes for the whole family. By preparing satisfying, homemade meals, gradually introducing natural ingredients and seasonings, and passing on the pleasures of eating, you’ll be taking the first steps in raising an adventurous eater for life!

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The definitive cookbook on French cuisine for American readers: "What a cookbook should be: packed with sumptuous recipes, detailed instructions, and precise line drawings. Some of the instructions look daunting, but as Child herself says in the introduction, 'If you can read, you can cook.'" —Entertainment Weekly “I only wish that I had written it myself.” —James Beard Featuring 524 delicious recipes and over 100 instructive illustrations to guide readers every step of the way, Mastering the Art of French Cooking offers something for everyone, from seasoned experts to beginners who love good food and long to reproduce the savory delights of French cuisine. Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle break down the classic foods of France into a logical sequence of themes and variations rather than presenting an endless and diffuse catalogue of dishes—from historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly artless perfection of a dish of spring-green peas. Throughout, the focus is on key recipes that form the backbone of French cookery and lend themselves to an infinite number of elaborations—bound to increase anyone’s culinary repertoire. “Julia has slowly but surely altered our way of thinking about food. She has taken the fear out of the term ‘haute cuisine.’ She has increased gastronomic awareness a thousandfold by stressing the importance of good foundation and technique, and she has elevated our consciousness to the refined pleasures of dining." —Thomas Keller, The French Laundry

From Paris direct to your table--the complete French cookbook for beginners The French may not have invented cooking, but they certainly have perfected the art of eating well. In this definitive French cookbook that's perfect for beginners, you'll discover how to make the timeless, tasty cuisine served up at French dinner tables and in beloved bistros and brasseries. Author François de Mélogue breaks down classic French cookbook dishes like Duck Confit with Crispy Potatoes, Bouillabaisse, and Coq au Vin into easy-to-follow steps perfect for the newcomer. Along the way, you'll learn how to put together a cheese board any Parisian would be proud of, fry the perfect pommes frites, and pair food and wine like a pro. Let's get cooking the French way! Bon appetit! This essential French cookbook for beginners includes: Classic flavors--Discover more than 75 recipes you'll love, from Steak Tartare to Tarte Tatin. A taste of Paris--Learn to shop like a Parisian and how to prepare 4 classic cocktails from the City of Light. Essential extras--Beyond French cookbook recipes, you'll find 12 tips for souffle success, expert advice on how to make a pan sauce, and a guide to French wines. Classic Parisian cooking comes home in this French cookbook for beginners.

A beautiful new edition of the beloved cookbook capturing the spirit of Julia Child's debut TV show, which made her a star and is now featured as the centerpiece of Max's Julia. The French Chef Cookbook is a comprehensive (Aïoli to Velouté, Bouillabaisse to Ratatouille) collection of more than 300 classic French recipes. By 1963, Julia Child had already achieved widespread recognition as the bestselling author of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but it wasn’t until her television debut with The French Chef that she became the superstar we know and love today. Over the course of ten seasons, millions of Americans learned not only how to cook, but how to embrace food. The series completely changing the way that we eat today, and it earned Julia a Peabody Award in 1965 and an Emmy Award in 1966. From that success came The French Chef Cookbook, Julia’s first solo cookbook, written with all the wit, wisdom, and joie de vivre for which she is rightly remembered. Organized by episode—”Dinner in a Pot,” “Caramel Desserts,” “Beef Gets Stewed Two Ways”—the book, like the television show on which it is based, is a complete French culinary education, packed with more than 300 delectable recipes—including timeless classics like Cassoulet, Vichyssoise, Coq au Vin, Croissants, and Chocolate Mousse. The definitive companion to Julia's groundbreaking television series, The French Chef Cookbook is now available in a beautiful new edition, sixty years after Julia first took to the airwaves.

Bring an authentic taste of Spain to your table with this collection of more than 60 mouth-watering recipes for small plates to share. Traditionally served as a bar snack with a glass of sherry or a cold beer, tapas has become a firm favorite thanks to its wide variety and versatility. Whether you are serving an appetizer before a meal, enjoying some small bites with drinks, or going all out and filling the table with multiple dishes to feast on, there is no bad time to indulge in these flavor-filled dishes. This book includes all the classics from the perennially popular Patatas Bravas and Spanish Omelette to Chorizo in Red Wine and Peppers Stuffed with Salt Cod. Many of these dishes can be made in advance for ease, so you too can enjoy time with your friends—Buen Provecho!