A chef whose restaurant has been named best in the world shares his observations on how to exceed customer expectations, provide employees with motivation and leadership, and develop a successful marketing plan

Discusses the success of the Chicago restaurant, Charlie Trotter's, and how to apply its management style and techniques to other businesses.

An award-winning chef describes how he lost his sense of taste to cancer, a setback that prompted him to discover alternate cooking methods and create his celebrated progressive cuisine.

In the third book in the Lessons from Charlie Trotter series teaches wine directors and servers how to develop and maintain impeccable service by giving an in-depth look at one of the world’s top wine programs. At Charlie Trotter's eponymous restaurant in Chicago, the innovative and award-winning wine program is an essential part of an extraordinary dining experience. LESSONS IN WINE SERVICE outlines and analyzes the intricate challenges inherent in developing and executing consistently outstanding wine pairings and service. Aspiring sommeliers, restaurant owners, and wine servers will learn how to hire and train the right staff, provide precise and intuitive service, and craft and maintain a compelling wine list. "Anyone who wants to understand American cuisine as it enters the 21st century must eat at Charlie Trotter's No restaurant in America comes closer to delivering a flawless total dining experience." --Wine Spectator

Why wait until Tuesday night to have tacos—and why would you ever use a processed kit—when you can make vibrant, fresh Mexican food every night of the week with Mexican Made Easy? On her Food Network show, Mexican Made Easy, Marcela Valladolid shows how simple it is to create beautiful dishes bursting with bright Mexican flavors. Now, Marcela shares the fantastic recipes her fans have been clamoring for in a cookbook that ties into her popular show. A single mom charged with getting dinner on the table nightly for her young son, Fausto, Marcela embraces dishes that are fun and fast—and made with fresh ingredients found in the average American supermarket. Pull together a fantastic weeknight dinner in a flash with recipes such as Baja-Style Braised Chicken Thighs, Mexican Meatloaf with Salsa Glaze, and Corn and Poblano Lasagna. Expand your salsa horizons with Fresh Tomatillo and Green Apple Salsa and Grilled Corn Pico de Gallo, which can transform a simply grilled chicken breast or fish fillet. For a weekend brunch, serve up Chipotle Chilaquiles or Cinnamon Pan Frances. Delicious drinks, such as Pineapple-Vanilla Agua Fresca and Cucumber Martinis, and decadent desserts, including Mexican Chocolate Bread Pudding and Bananas Tequila Foster, round out the inspired collection. With 100 easy recipes and 80 sumptuous color photographs, Mexican Made Easy brings all of the energy and fresh flavors of Marcela’s show into your home. Chipotle-Garbanzo Dip makes 3/4 cup 1 (15.5-ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 2 garlic cloves, peeled 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotle chiles) plus more for serving 2 teaspoons sesame seed paste (tahini) 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for serving Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro Tortilla chips Put the garbanzo beans, garlic, lemon juice, adobo sauce, and sesame paste in a food processor and puree until nearly smooth; the mixture will still be a little coarse. With the machine running, add the olive oil and process until well incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer the dip to medium bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and a few drops of adobo sauce and top with the cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips.

Chef and restaurateur Charlie Trotter shares seventy-two of his favorite recipes; including salmon roulade, scallop ceviche, spicy tuna tartare, rabbit rillette, squab salad, and crispy quinoa pudding. Includes photographs.

Collects answers about such topics as money, parenting, risks, failure, and life in general from celebrities and other high profile people.