First, I have to say that as a self-taught, amateur chef this book is by far one of my most favorites ever. The Deluxe Food Lover's Companion 2nd Edition is published by Barron books and written by Sharon Tyler Herbst and Ron Herbst. I used to purchase the Food Lover’s Companion years ago in the smaller size and always going for the softcover as being because I would carry it everywhere with me in my purse and it fit quite nicely. Today, that version is nicely dog-eared and still always handy.


As I wanted an updated version, I decided this time to go for the hardcover. As I removed the book from the package, I was so happy to see how this had been revised. The book is certainly fitting of its title - Deluxe - with gorgeous graphics on the dust cover and gold-tipped edges on the pages. This most certainly can be left out as a coffee table book for people to finger through and talk about.

So, what is a Food Lover's Companion? It's a comprehensive food reference book - almost encyclopedic in nature - but not a cookbook. However, this book was written and designed with the chef or anybody that cooks in mind, who would like to learn more about food, its preparation, cooking tools and techniques, elegant dining, herbs and spices, fruits & veggies, meat & seafood and so much more. This second edition has been updated with over 500 new listings which now include Indian, S.E. Asian ingredients, with an expansion on South American as well as Hispanic and the Middle East. The whole book has 7,200 entries in total of which all have been revised and updated as well.

The book begins by instructing the reader "How To Use This Book.” Entries are arranged alphabetically and are all cross-referenced making navigation of the book easy to use. There is also a pronunciation guide for foreign words, a food additives guide, lots of line art and new to this book I noticed, and scattered throughout are information boxes entitled Fast Facts and Food For Thought - giving you invaluable tips on how to use ingredients or products.

The elegance of this book makes this a perfect gift for any chef, amateur cook, culinary student or foodie to have on hand. I am never ever without a copy, as I have learned so much about ingredients and how to cook certain things the correct way. Once you start opening the pages, you won't be able to put it down.

I purchased this book with my own money in October 2015 from Amazon, costing me $22.00 and it's worth every cent! It is also available on Kindle. Therefore, if you love food and want to learn more about anything to do with food and the culinary world, then this book is for you. You will not be disappointed.


The Deluxe Food Lover's Companion on Amazon