The New Cooks' Catalogue

Rating:
Summary: Not exactly a catalogue....
Review: .....but more of an encyclopedia. This is a good book if you don't know what a certain kitchen tool does or would like a breif history lesson. This not the best consumer buying guide around, but a good buy none the less.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but Flawed
Review: I love the New Cooks' Catalogue for several reasons. It's comprehensive, easy to use and well written. I also enjoy the historical anecdotes and recipes. The book's design is beautiful, but even more important, the contents are practical and well researched. I used it to determine which kind of food processor to invest in, and now I wouldn't make a serious purchase without first consulting this book. When in doubt, the New Cooks' Catalogue will help you figure it out! This has become an indispensable tool in my kitchen and a lovely addition to my library of reference books.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing Else Like It!
Review: I still have my original Cook's Catalogue, bought when I was in college. I wasn't new to cooking then, but I sure hadn't seen devices like he showed in that book! I fell in love with it then, over the next 20+ years purchased some of the equipment in there, and wondered if there would ever be a followup.

Well, here it is, and it is as inclusive as the original! Unlike a prior reviewer, I enjoy reading about the arcane and unique pieces made for cooking. I don't want a book of this scope written like Consumer Reports. In the first place, even Consumer Reports' product evaluations are usually subjective. Plus, their prices aren't accurate. Yes, I rather wish Mr. Wolf had at least given some range of prices for items in the book. However, I don't consider it a real drawback, as prices do vary enormously even on the web.

I found the recipes and other inserts pleasing and practical. The color photos were also welcomed for this edition. There is literally no way to cover all kitchen products on today's market, but Mr. Wolf goes further than anyone else I've seen in trying.

I tend to be a kitchen gadget and utensil freak anyway so this book is right up my alley. Otherwise, and particularly for the novice in cooking, I have doubts about its utility.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing Else Like It!
Review: I still have my original Cook's Catalogue, bought when I was in college. I wasn't new to cooking then, but I sure hadn't seen devices like he showed in that book! I fell in love with it then, over the next 20+ years purchased some of the equipment in there, and wondered if there would ever be a followup.

Well, here it is, and it is as inclusive as the original! Unlike a prior reviewer, I enjoy reading about the arcane and unique pieces made for cooking. I don't want a book of this scope written like Consumer Reports. In the first place, even Consumer Reports' product evaluations are usually subjective. Plus, their prices aren't accurate. Yes, I rather wish Mr. Wolf had at least given some range of prices for items in the book. However, I don't consider it a real drawback, as prices do vary enormously even on the web.

I found the recipes and other inserts pleasing and practical. The color photos were also welcomed for this edition. There is literally no way to cover all kitchen products on today's market, but Mr. Wolf goes further than anyone else I've seen in trying.

I tend to be a kitchen gadget and utensil freak anyway so this book is right up my alley. Otherwise, and particularly for the novice in cooking, I have doubts about its utility.

Rating:
Summary: Who needs a Dummy book.....
Review: I was given The New Cooks' Catalogue last Christmas and it was one of the best gifts I ever received. Good thing I was also on vacation at the time, because I was swallowed up by the amount of information it contained. There's a lot to digest, but it's fascinating. Loved the recipes. What's interesting is that many of the leading food writers contributed to this essential reference book. Next Christmas, I know what I'll be giving all of my friends who love to cook as much as I do.

Rating:
Summary: Every cook's essential tool guide!
Review: Kudos to Burt Wolf for creating an indispensable collection of kitchen cookware, gadget, tool, electrical appliance and everything but the kitchen sink reviews for both the new and experienced cook. There are tons of books dedicated to recipes and cooking, but this book gives you wonderful information on what cooking equipment to buy. I feel so much more informed and confident in my purchases since I've used this book. It has reviews and information on kitchen essentials all the way to esoteric gadgets you never knew existed. It's a great way to inventory and stock your kitchen. I also love the fact that it includes pictures and descriptions of currently available items with reviews written from an unbiased viewpoint. Also included are insights from many well known and talented chefs.

This should have been called, "The Kitchen Equipment Bible." It's that good! Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Good, as far as it goes...
Review: People who really love to cook and really love gadgets and cookware will enjoy this book. There is lots of interesting reading here. I had never heard of MANY of the items listed here, but then I'm not really a gourmet cook. I just like to own products that are the best quality I can get for the money I want to spend.

There are no prices in the book, which I think is a drawback. Even if they become quickly outdated, it would be good to see which products are more expensive than others. Price categories would be helpful! Even "Expensive", "Moderate" and "Inexpensive" would be a good addition to this book!

The other thing I'd like to see is a ranking of these products! They are all described and discussed, but there's no way of knowing which ones are the best. Consumers can make decisions for themselves as to which products are best for them for the money they want to spend.

This is an interesting book, but it could've been better.

Rating:
Summary: Great Help and Sparks Good Ideas
Review: This book was a great help in expanding some of our kitchen equipment. If you visit a bookstore or library, you may find thousands of books on cooking and not one on cooking equipment. This book fills that niche very nicely.

There were some items that we had acquired that we knew were really good -- the authors had done their research and it was encouraging that they found the same and for similar reasons. That gave me some reference as to their experience.

The book is up-to-date. They have equipment that is top-notch and widely available. The photos are excellent.

The book is also a great resource for items you may not have considered or known about. I know that we now have several more items on our list of equipment to buy. This makes it especially good as a gift to newlyweds or people starting out on their own and want to cook.

Rating:
Summary: Beginning Cooks Only?
Review: This is the first time I have ever been motivated to write a review. I found this to be a complete waste of money. I own the wonderful original "Cook's Catalogue" with James Beard as one of the editors, and have referred to it frequently over many years. This "new version" might be helpful if you are completely inexperienced in the kitchen. Otherwise, direct your spending $$$ towards a nice saucepan.

Rating:
Summary: It's Not Excellent, But I Like It
Review: those who loved the original will dislike this update, considering the price and size of the new edition the old version had wonderful product reviews, fascinating historical data, and pricing, while the upgrade prints recipes(entirely obsolete since the internet has tons of them), and cartoons (some funny, but mostly weak), omits any pricing, and seems very skimpy on detail. half the book is devoted to baking but baking is much more science than art, and the appliance coverage is virtually useless without comparative pricing. the two essentials, pots and knives are weakly covered, while wooden spoons ( a useful but hardly essential kitchen items) gets pages and pages. a notable omission are tips, which would seem vital, since new cooks can get ingredient lists and recipes elsewhere, and the cartoons are a waste of paper. storage and equipment care are not given sufficient coverage. if the publisher was smart they would re-issue the old paperback, since the old version had hard information on product materials, ingredients, and a greater variety and depth of coverage. the new edition is surprisingly skimpy, particularly on the two absolute essentials, that is, pots and knives.in short this is a mediocre upgrade hardly worth the price