Modernist Cuisine Has 'Something For Everybody' Says Nathan Myhrvold

Nathan Myhrvold stopped by the Institute of Culinary Education in New York last night to demo some of the dishes featured in his new five-volume cookbook/tome Modernist Cuisine (it is currently out of stock on Amazon.com, where it retails for $461.62).

Cookbook author and food writer Michael Ruhlman recently reviewed the book in the New York Times stating, "I remain frustrated that I lack so many tools and ingredients required to actually use this behemoth." In an interview with TheFeast.com last night, Myhrvold responded to this sentiment by arguing that Modernist Cuisine offers "something for everybody" whether that is improving one's cooking technique or to "cook food that doesn't necessarily look like food." He explains that the simplest recipe in the book, a carrot soup, merely consists of caramelized carrots, butter, baking soda and water.

Modernist Cuisine has been hailed as "the most important book in the culinary arts since Escoffier" by Tim Zagat and "the cookbook to end all cookbooks" by David Chang.

Check out TheFeast.com's interview with Myrhvold below.

View more videos at: http://www.thefeast.com.

Comments

[archarabia]

10:52 PM on 03/27/2011

I read about this fool in Time magazine. A millionaire with money to burn playing mad scientist in the kitchen. Here's a news flash Einstein: women (and men) of past generations didnt need a chemistry book to cook effectively.

[rockthecook]

06:32 PM on 03/27/2011

Something for everyone? I love it when "The Elite" let us in on their lives.

[Terri Lorz]

12:10 PM on 03/27/2011

I would buy this book for my sister - except for the price - darn. Terri Jo Lorz

[Donatella]

08:16 PM on 03/24/2011

It's about as accessible to the general public as dinner at the French Laundry.

[captainspirou]

02:14 AM on 03/25/2011

It has the depth of a reference book and it should be considered as one. There are chemistry books with plenty of information worth thousands of dollars but are free to access at many libraries. This should be treated the same way.

[leorangerie]

07:34 PM on 03/24/2011

This book is major, given that it is a combination of passion, art, and science. Expensive, heavy, all that. But major.

[leorangerie]

07:36 PM on 03/24/2011

Five volumes, by the way.