Jacques Pépin Heart & Soul in the Kitchen

I really enjoyed reading through this book and look forward to cooking the recipes. The illustrations and personal stories are wonderful!

Back in the day, I bought a two-volume set of Jacques Pepin. It was mid-1990s, and these books were hard-core haute cuisine. They had techniques, classic French foundations. I pulled them out for fancy entertaining, and that was about it. They served their purpose, but I couldn't tell you where they are today. This book is as delightfully straightforward as those were intense. And while I was learning to cook in 1993, those tomes were what I needed. This book from the heart and soul is what I want now. To start, all are recipes that can be put together with little notice. I take it to the grocery to see what fish or meat or seasonal veg is on offer, and go from there. This is food, simply prepared, for real people. There are no exhaustive ingredient lists. No special equipment. And there are inspirations from Mexico, Vietnam and Spain, to name a few cuisines that have made their home in Pepin's kitchen. Appetzizers are just that: bites to get you ready for dinner, not the oversized bar apps that can and do sub for a meal. There are a wide variety of ingredients, keeping the book from being pedestrian and a collection of dishes anyone handy in the kitchen could write down. It makes you stretch your comfort zone just enough to make you curious about how certain combinations work. It is beautifully illustrated, both for recipes and with the chef's own water colors. The stories that accompany the recipes enrich the experience. In all, it is a fine coda to an introduction inhad to him 20 years ago. And it will be well-worn before the year is out.

I am very happy with the book, it is a lovely personalised record of recipes he makes at home, and tales about his family and friends, along with beautiful art work and of course inspiring recipes. However, I was disappointed to find it arrived in a box that it was free to move around in and the corners are damaged. A layer of bubble wrap would have prevented that from happening. It seems disrespectful to a book which Jaques Pepin has created with love and skill.

My book arrived a day or two early, and is -- as advertised -- in very good condition. Thank you. I am enjoying it immensely.

First: When I was contemplating purchasing this book, I read the reviews that others (who had purchased it) had written. All were positive, but one reviewer in particular panned the book (one star) because it (supposedly) contained no illustrations. The reviewer seemed emphatic about the "no illustrations" part as a major detractor from the quality of the book. I went ahead and purchased the book anyway since, in my experience, most if not all things Jacques Pepin have been top-drawer. Indeed, this is a beautiful book containing eye-appealing and elegant, color pictures of delectable (I've already cooked some of them) dishes. Not only does this book contain the mentioned pictures, but it also includes pictures of Mr. Pepin with his family and friends, of Mr. Pepin preparing and serving food, and of Mr. Pepin's creations, not only in the arena of the culinary arts, but in the visual arts as well, i.e., pictures of aesthetically delightful oil and acrylic paintings emanating from Mr. Pepin's brush - a new dimension to a man whose talents seem boundless. Secondly: I am not given to writing reviews such as this: just don't have the time, inclination, or interest. But, this case is an exception, a chance to make right what seems to be a wrong. The statements made by the aforementioned reviewer seem to represent a gross distortion of reality. Giving the writer the benefit of the doubt, I won't call them a fabrication. To purposely do such a thing would be heinous. Likely, the aforementioned reviewer purchased a pre-publication copy or some copy that was not a finished product. But regardless of its motivation, to let that aforementioned review stand without challenge would be to allow a misrepresentation to stand as the truth and to deprive others of enjoying an exceptional work.

I have close to a dozen Jacque Pepin cookbooks and love all of them. but this one is my favorite by far. It’s profusely illustrated with examples of Jacques’ original artwork but what makes it a standout are the wonderful simple recipes contained between the covers. Jacque represents that these are recipes he prepares at home for his family and close friends I believe him, they are elegantly simple and amazingly delicious. More gifts from this National Treasure.

Have prepared eight recipes and all are delicious and easy to follow - love the artwork! Jacques is truly right up there with the great Julia !

I follow Jacques Pépin on Facebook and I great hopes his cookbook would be easy to use. I made the Poule de la Cream and it did not disappoint! I'm easing myself into his other recipes but I would say this would make a lovely gift for a regular chef in your family. Recipes are easy; ingredients are available in your store and go from easy to challenging recipes. Bon Apetite!

This is much more than a cook book. Jacques Pepin is an amazingly down to earth person and his little stories throughout the book are marvelous. It's well worth it just for his philosophy and artwork. The recipes are a bonus.

Great book, with clear recipes, and all feasible. He has the knack of making it seem simple, like all true professionals.

Easy to use. Well written and excellent results. We really enjoyed the many fish recipes.

Beautifully written with a pleasant narrative quality to it - much more than just recipes and photos. Jacques Pepin is a charmer, even in writing! This is a lovely book for anyone's cookbook shelf or coffee table, and would make a lovely gift for any foodie, cook or Jacques Pepin fan.

Absolute best cookbook we own - my husband and I use Jacques recipes almost every day. Simple recipes with everyday ingredients but the taste is outstanding. Our friends rave about our dishes when they come to dinner. Thank you Jacques!