Weekend Book Giveaway: 'Secret Ingredients, the New Yorker Book of Food and Drink'
The Serious Eats Weekend Book Giveaway is back with a vengeance this holiday weekend with a really cool book, Secret Ingredients: The New Yorker Book of Food and Drink
Thanks to the generous folks at Random House, we've got seven copies of this book to give away. Just answer the following question in the comments:
Who is your favorite food writer?
Winners will be chosen at random from among the comments below. Comments will remain open until 6 p.m. ET, Monday, February 18. The standard Serious Eats contest rules apply.
Comments are closed: 399 Comments:
anthony bourdain. sure he comes off a little harsh, but he's awesome
missmicker at 10:37AM on 02/16/08
Harold McGee. When I have food questions, his books (usually) have extremely useful answers.
mongoose at 10:41AM on 02/16/08
Even though he bashes vegetarians and my beloved NY Mets, I still like Anthony Bourdain.
charm city cupcake at 10:43AM on 02/16/08
thefoodwhore.com
I love her writing.
image415 at 10:43AM on 02/16/08
have to second McGee
einscheusal at 10:47AM on 02/16/08
One of my favorites is Nichola Fletcher. She wrote the book Charlemagne's Tablecloth. It's a book about the history of feasting; how grand dinners played a vital role throughout the history of the world. It shows how grand dinners didn't always happen around a table(one it profiles took place in a medieval bathtub; another was held on horseback on the 4th floor of a New York restaurant in 1903. It delves into anceint persia, medieval Europe and contemporary celebrations of rites of passage. Another book like it is Feast by Roy Strong.
Jo-Ann Burton
jenni_purrr@yahoo.com
jenni_purrr at 10:48AM on 02/16/08
Tony Bordain, Alan Richman
bessfour at 10:51AM on 02/16/08
Without a doubt, MFK Fisher.
lemons at 10:52AM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain (even though I'm a vegetarian and he thinks my kind is the scourge of the earth)
sarahbeam at 10:54AM on 02/16/08
bourdain
hedgehog at 10:54AM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain and Ruth Reichl's books ...
They both remind me of aspects of my father (a chef). They share some of his views on food and ingredients, the stories often take me back into his kitchens, and remind me of his crazy employees ...
katalia at 11:03AM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain
amysahba at 11:03AM on 02/16/08
M.F.K. Fisher . . . and James Villas if I'm in the mood.
mmclau28 at 11:07AM on 02/16/08
That's a tough one. I was going to say McGee, but decided on Michael Pollan.
micap at 11:11AM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain, and Clotilde Dusoulier, of Chocolate & Zucchini.
Allan at 11:11AM on 02/16/08
Now and Forever: MFKF!
srhcb at 11:12AM on 02/16/08
Calvin Trillin
wisekaren at 11:17AM on 02/16/08
ruth reichl. after i read some of the passages in tender at the bone, i needed a cigarette.
cybercita at 11:18AM on 02/16/08
Clearly Calvin Trillin.
Mizbee at 11:19AM on 02/16/08
Jeffrey Steingarten, Michael Pollan, & Michael Ruhlman.
acidspit at 11:20AM on 02/16/08
I prefer Bourdain's brutal honesty over anyone else's even mild fluff.
LunaPierCook at 11:22AM on 02/16/08
bourdain, mfk fisher
Marilyn at 11:25AM on 02/16/08
The late, great Laurie Colwin
MadameTart at 11:26AM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain, by far
jbramley at 11:29AM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl has such a friendly, even, and especially evocative tone.
Gourmet Guy at 11:32AM on 02/16/08
Chris Sherman
kevlney at 11:33AM on 02/16/08
Another vote for MFK Fisher.
slloyddouglass at 11:34AM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl has such a friendly, even, and especially evocative tone.
Gourmet Guy at 11:35AM on 02/16/08
Laurie Colwin - reading her always makes me feel better about life in general...
Charcuterista at 11:36AM on 02/16/08
David Gumpert
kweiblen at 11:38AM on 02/16/08
I enjoy Ruth Reichl and Anthony Bourdain...
jenberger at 11:41AM on 02/16/08
Calvin Trillin. His bone dry sense of humor, eye for the absurd, and passion about his subjects always entertains me.
Marc at 11:42AM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain, definitely.
sevter at 11:48AM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl, especially in "Garlic and Sapphires"
beegoode at 11:48AM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain
zekks at 11:49AM on 02/16/08
No question about it: Calvin Trillen
chgoeditor at 11:50AM on 02/16/08
mark bittman
squishy622 at 11:51AM on 02/16/08
I like Jacques Pepin and sometimes I sit and just read Dorie Greenspan's Baking from My Home to Yours. Such a pleasure.
cam00023 at 11:53AM on 02/16/08
I love Dorie Greenspan's books.
mseriouseats at 11:53AM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain.
kdjmom3 at 12:08PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
mcclojjtz at 12:09PM on 02/16/08
M. F. K. Fisher and, in a very different style, Ruth Reichl
tmdonahue at 12:11PM on 02/16/08
For once, a great book I already have! I got it for Christmas, which makes me feel a little smug. :) For the record (though of course I don't want to win a second copy) it's a toss-up for me between M.F.K. Fisher, Ruth Reichl, and David Lebowitz.
Christina at 12:16PM on 02/16/08
Calvin Trillin!
winnekat at 12:18PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl and Mark Bittman - it's a tie
linda at 12:19PM on 02/16/08
old school M.F.K. Fisher...new school Bourdain
kathyvegas at 12:22PM on 02/16/08
Bourdain. Entertaining, insightful, learned in the art, snarky as hell, and he's irritated by the same celebri'chefs that I am.
cooksultant at 12:22PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
Natalie at 12:22PM on 02/16/08
definitely. bourdain.
andylutes at 12:31PM on 02/16/08
MFK Fisher
SelimaCat at 12:32PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain--he's funny, sarcastic, honest, has good timing (like when to inject just a touch of nostalgia), and knows his stuff.
OneWallKitchen at 12:32PM on 02/16/08
I don't really consider Michael Pollan a food writer, so I will say Calvin Trillin, though lately I love Adam Roberts of the amateurgourmet. He just cracks me up continuously.
alixwall at 12:32PM on 02/16/08
Second votes on MFK Fisher, Pollan, Trillin and McGee. Can't believe nobody has mentioned Brillat-Savarin, and Claudia Roden.
chloe103 at 12:36PM on 02/16/08
Laurie Colwin - both her essays and her fiction.
maryr123 at 12:38PM on 02/16/08
Harold McGee fo sho
mozart23 at 12:39PM on 02/16/08
I love many on this list, but recently Peter Hoffman at Savoy exposed me to the Fulton Fish Market, McSorley's and other food profiles of New Yorker writer Joseph Mitchell. His prose is poetry.
Brian Halweil at 12:42PM on 02/16/08
Frank Rich
awtane at 12:43PM on 02/16/08
Dorie Greenspan has a very friendly and encouraging voice.
salty at 12:45PM on 02/16/08
M. F. K. Fisher
James Villas
wookie at 12:47PM on 02/16/08
Nigella Lawson
I read her from cover-to-cover. She's found a voice that makes her cookbooks accessible and funny. I don't even have to enjoy her recipes (not that I don't)--she's just fun to be with.
Fiammetta at 12:48PM on 02/16/08
Bittman
sjwoodin at 12:50PM on 02/16/08
Bourdain- I also really enjoyed Bill Buford's Heat.
GoldenEel at 12:52PM on 02/16/08
Laurie Colwin, MFK Fisher... I'm old skool.
lisapeet at 12:54PM on 02/16/08
Calvin Trillin was my first foray into food porn, and I've tried others but I always go back!
outinwoods at 12:55PM on 02/16/08
Dorie Greenspan
sfbookgirl at 12:58PM on 02/16/08
MFK Fisher and Mark Bittman.
dksbook at 1:02PM on 02/16/08
currently Anthony Bourdain
bobcatsteph3 at 1:05PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl has my vote if there can be only one. Her personable writing style really speaks to "me". However, I truly enjoy Jeffrey Steingarten, Amanda Hesser, Laurie Colwin and so many other notable journalists too numerous to mention.
I've read all of Anthony Bourdain's books and he is just so darned entertaining and such a potty mouth. He's my guilty pleasure read. And I really enjoy the running discourse between he and Ruhlman, another favorite.
frederika at 1:25PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl
ramy kin at 1:28PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
mnsteph at 1:29PM on 02/16/08
Craig Clairborne
jkershen at 1:31PM on 02/16/08
Harold McGee
Nikton at 1:32PM on 02/16/08
Steingarten is amazing! I aspire to be as witty as he.
emmab at 1:32PM on 02/16/08
The Sterns. Roadfood rocks.
cdziuba at 1:34PM on 02/16/08
Probably Calvin Trillin, but reading Anthony Bourdain lately.
etyper333 at 1:37PM on 02/16/08
Lost of cookbook authors, so how about Nora Ephron for a change of pace.
PerkyMac at 1:38PM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain!!!
sel123 at 1:41PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain.
joanne117 at 1:42PM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain is the best to me
mverno at 1:43PM on 02/16/08
Another vote for Dorie Greenspan
JEP at 1:44PM on 02/16/08
I like the late Pierre Franey -- his recipes always worked but never in 60 minutes (for me).
BostonDiner at 1:45PM on 02/16/08
Ruhlman
PIGMON at 1:50PM on 02/16/08
Barefoot Contessa
marlenec at 1:52PM on 02/16/08
Elizabeth David
Lauren B at 1:54PM on 02/16/08
alice waters.
tudogostoso at 2:02PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
dbaxgirl51 at 2:04PM on 02/16/08
So many good ones, but Anthony Bourdain is always entertaining.
lazer at 2:08PM on 02/16/08
So many greats on here! I love Mark Bittman for his cookbooks and recipe-based articles, but for essays and general writing on food, I have to add Nigel Slater to the stars already called out. His memoir killed me.
jenmeansgo at 2:10PM on 02/16/08
bill buford...loved the book "heat"
ceforrester at 2:13PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl. I loved Garlic and Sapphires.
musicalpandibear at 2:15PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain. He has such a distinctive style.
rffoodie at 2:18PM on 02/16/08
Bourdain!
mh330 at 2:22PM on 02/16/08
David Leite takes the cake! .. and the soup, and the main course, and the dessert!
http://www.leitesculinaria.com/
maningrida at 2:23PM on 02/16/08
Ruhlman.
lotuscat at 2:25PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain and Ruth Reichl's books.
My friend, Dan's blog, Kitchen Geeking at... redneckmuppet.blogspot.com
HMcChezz at 2:27PM on 02/16/08
MFK Fisher
jeanharlow at 2:27PM on 02/16/08
I hate to admit it, but I love reading Anthony Bourdain. Also, I love Roz Chast's illustrations (I'm a big New Yorker nerd!!)!
amwhiteh at 2:33PM on 02/16/08
Fischer, no doubt
louiseb130 at 2:33PM on 02/16/08
Amanda Hesser and Ruth Reichl
mrsbao at 2:33PM on 02/16/08
Dorie Greenspan, and David Lebovitz for the humor!
dreamsicle at 2:37PM on 02/16/08
Calvin Trillin (but there are so many others!)
justjoan at 2:43PM on 02/16/08
im goin with bourdain
nat85 at 2:45PM on 02/16/08
John Thorne, "Serious Pig"
louisralph at 2:48PM on 02/16/08
Jim Harrison as collected in The Raw and the Cooked.
icecoldvodka2 at 2:48PM on 02/16/08
Mark Bittman
tsegada at 2:50PM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain - nuff said............
Hunnyoil at 2:51PM on 02/16/08
Nigel Slater
DaveFaris at 2:55PM on 02/16/08
Jim Harrison
tacopants at 3:01PM on 02/16/08
Michael Pollan
sugarandspice at 3:12PM on 02/16/08
Amanda Hesser's columns in the New York Times' magazine about her romance with Mr. Latte--aka Jake, aka Tad Friend--is a charming, graceful and completely delightful example of great food writing.
ess12 at 3:14PM on 02/16/08
Mr. TRILLIN...has my vote. ;-) Thanks. Would love to win this for my older brother in Texas.
ccarolyn at 3:17PM on 02/16/08
Julia Child
toastworthy at 3:19PM on 02/16/08
Calvin Trillin. His humor and insight a love of local foods was ahead of his time.
turtwood at 3:20PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
murph675 at 3:29PM on 02/16/08
Bourdain, with a dash of Pollan and Bittman for good measure.
eternal at 3:29PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
Kimberly222 at 3:30PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
slcrose at 3:32PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichel... Love her... Can't wait for her next book....
samedog at 3:35PM on 02/16/08
Bill Buford, because "Heat" was the first food book I have ever read.
Littlebluesiren at 3:38PM on 02/16/08
John T Edge. I love the way he writes about southern food.
meredith at 3:40PM on 02/16/08
Got to say - Miss Ruth Reichl!
Teahlo at 3:47PM on 02/16/08
MFK Fisher tops my list. The usual suspects, Bourdain and Bittman are there too. Harold McGee helps make sense of it all and local boy made good Robb Walsh is always a fun read. These are the faves, but I'm a junkie... I'll read whatever I can lay my greedy little hands on as long as it's about food.
nellopea at 3:48PM on 02/16/08
A.J. Liebling. For an overweight man with a love of boxing and journalism, he certainly did right beautifully and humorously about his love for food.
Junie at 3:50PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl
bison61 at 3:52PM on 02/16/08
Emeril
LINDALSHOT at 3:57PM on 02/16/08
If I have to choose I guess it would be Jim Harrison, but they are all really great in their own respective areas.
CarolHarrity at 4:01PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
susan1215 at 4:01PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
vrtish55 at 4:07PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
deedleweedle at 4:29PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
patschraier at 4:42PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
schnitzel at 4:42PM on 02/16/08
My favorite food writer (blogger) is the Amateur Gourmet. I love Adam's colorful and thought provoking comments, his approach to a new recipe and his honest assesments that are often times "overlooked" by others.
Boscompb at 4:42PM on 02/16/08
I'm not particularly well-versed with the world of food writing yet so for now I'll have to say Nigella Lawson.
Vincci at 4:43PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
slb3334 at 4:43PM on 02/16/08
If bloggers don't count, my current favorite food writer/author would have to be Ina Garten. Ina is classic, comfortable and very seductive.
Boscompb at 4:48PM on 02/16/08
james peterson. so informative and straightforward.
ynot4me at 4:52PM on 02/16/08
don't have a favorite......sometimes, I feel that they are all a little over the top...
starsmom at 4:53PM on 02/16/08
Barefoot Contessa
whyreg666 at 4:54PM on 02/16/08
No favorite
sylmar at 5:06PM on 02/16/08
Michael Ruhlman for me!
PoignantTuna at 5:09PM on 02/16/08
any one who cooks
vergie at 5:13PM on 02/16/08
Can I vote for Robyn Lee - TGWAE? Because she cracks me up and actually puts into words what my brain says when faced with mountains of awesome foodness.
threedogkitchen at 5:13PM on 02/16/08
Brillat Savarin. Hands down. The fact that my favorite cheese is named after him only attests to his literary greatness.
purpleceline at 5:16PM on 02/16/08
MFK Fisher, because her book, "The Gastronimical Me", breaks my heart every time. And makes me very very hungry,
porkified at 5:19PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
kktwins at 5:19PM on 02/16/08
Jacques Pepin...I would love to have the book, thanks for the opportunity.
elaine nan at 5:21PM on 02/16/08
Mark Bittman---great writing
Dianalah at 5:22PM on 02/16/08
Shirley Corriher
dailybrownie at 5:23PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl and Jacques Pepin
LesDuLunch at 5:28PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl and Adam Roberts
Rocky at 5:31PM on 02/16/08
Graham Kerr
meredith13 at 5:33PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain.
HelloChris at 5:36PM on 02/16/08
John McPhee -- Never forget the first sentence-- the 10 best meals...
sysrick at 5:36PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
mcnerd at 5:38PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl, Anthony Bourdain
brunjaune at 5:40PM on 02/16/08
AB
msecondo at 5:41PM on 02/16/08
lol to all
Ruth Reich
llinda29 at 5:45PM on 02/16/08
Could there be a more pleasant food fantasy than dinner with Calvin Trillin?
gala2 at 5:59PM on 02/16/08
Bill Buford
jimmyo at 6:41PM on 02/16/08
Every few weeks the weather changes, tilting toward rain and chills, stretching from snow to sun. I love the reminder that food depends on these changes, and when I feel a new season coming on I pull out Amanda Hesser's The Cook and the Gardener. I'm not sure if I can say Ms. Hesser is my favorite all-time food writer, but her memoir of cooking in France at the whims of a cranky and determined gardener is my most-read cookbook. She makes me want to eat carrots fresh from the ground, cassis aged from the cupboard. I'm getting hungry. I'm going to get it right now and get ready for March.
teri1 at 6:45PM on 02/16/08
Rachel Ray
drala625 at 6:47PM on 02/16/08
Michael Pollan.
inblackink at 7:03PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl.
Peasantwench at 7:05PM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain
chromiumman at 7:07PM on 02/16/08
There are so many I can't just pick one favorite.
missdeb1 at 7:21PM on 02/16/08
How is this a competition? Paula Deen deep fries butter. OMG. I just can't wait to see what she fries next. The woman is a treasure (and I'm not a cardiologist). I don't eat any of her crap but I just love to watch her. She's everything that's wrong with American Excess. God Bless Her.
ky2here at 7:30PM on 02/16/08
alice medrich
hungrykat at 7:32PM on 02/16/08
Paula Deen
JOYVEN at 7:33PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
countrybear07 at 7:40PM on 02/16/08
kingslover
tenpointfarmer at 7:52PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain, definitely!
haomom at 8:36PM on 02/16/08
Fisher, most of the time. Nigel Slater the rest of the time.
Eilen at 8:45PM on 02/16/08
Molly Wizenberg, http://orangette.blogspot.com
LiveToEat at 8:46PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
JennVozik at 8:47PM on 02/16/08
DORIE GREENSPAN!!! love her
merav13 at 8:59PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain. Though if we're talking strictly food, I'd go with Michael Ruhlman.
dadekian at 9:04PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain.
fangirl at 9:07PM on 02/16/08
The evil twins - Ruhlman and Bourdain
Karenck at 9:18PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain
edinat at 9:22PM on 02/16/08
I would have to say Anthony Bourdain
neneelynn at 9:26PM on 02/16/08
I have to add my vote for Bourdain. He goes places and eats things I can't even imagine.
chrissy75007 at 9:39PM on 02/16/08
Ruth Reichl
tracker at 9:43PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain, for his sheer gutsiness at what he'll eat, Ruth Reichl for how she weaves food into her life in her books, and oddly, Laura Ingalls Wilder, because those books are nearly a bible for how farmers got their food at that time period.
ErisianSaint at 10:03PM on 02/16/08
Rachel Ray
Janess at 10:03PM on 02/16/08
Anthony Bourdain, by far
pcbdolphins at 10:09PM on 02/16/08
anthony bourdain
stacy7911 at 10:21PM on 02/16/08
Nigella Lawson
ilikecitylights at 10:30PM on 02/16/08
Hands down, Anthony Bourdain. For his shear bluntness.
pacgirl44 at 10:39PM on 02/16/08
Jeffrey Steingarten, it was through his writing that I first thought about how food came to my plate. Also Micheal Pollan.
firni at 11:06PM on 02/16/08
I love to eat and drink. Pick me!
noelmaree7 at 11:09PM on 02/16/08
Duh I answered the wrong day's question. Sorry.
I love The Barefoot Contessa.
noelmaree7 at 11:12PM on 02/16/08
Michael Pollan - I recently saw him in the 'King Corn' documentary and almost swooned
jpark107 at 11:25PM on 02/16/08
Pierre Herme
fseriouseats at 11:39PM on 02/16/08
Even though he's more of a chef than a writer, I love Jamie Oliver's cookbooks and writing!
jkh020 at 11:45PM on 02/16/08
My favorite writer is Rachel Ray she writes her books just like I usually cook. (a pinch of this, a splash of that). I even get her magazine.
kathleenyohanna at 11:50PM on 02/16/08
John Edge
FMFats at 12:00AM on 02/17/08
I love Anthony Bourdain. He's adventurous, a true food lover and totally cool.
One of my friends has a big crush on him.
He's kind of like a rock star of the food world.
HYDEIST at 12:04AM on 02/17/08
Paula Dean's the bomb!
humbleh at 12:09AM on 02/17/08
I read James Beard's Delights and Prejudices and Edna Lewis' A taste of Country Cooking at least once a year when I first started to think about food in addition to consuming it ( I was already cooking from Julia, but I wasn't THINKING.)
islandexile at 12:38AM on 02/17/08
Bourdain, if I want cynicism and snarkiness. MFK Fisher, if I want good old-fashioned food writing.
madball911 at 12:48AM on 02/17/08
ruth reichl for comfy writing, bourdain for edgy writing
Toowylde at 12:54AM on 02/17/08
No single favorite, but a long list of those that I do like, many of which are listed above....
madeas at 1:25AM on 02/17/08
ruth reichl
kylad at 1:26AM on 02/17/08
Bourdain!
hammama at 1:28AM on 02/17/08
michael pollan
lichen at 1:37AM on 02/17/08
Bourdain, like many others, it seems . . .
tanners12 at 1:38AM on 02/17/08
I think I like Alice Waters
xynny at 1:45AM on 02/17/08
Rachel Ray
laralin2266 at 2:00AM on 02/17/08
Bourdain
JerzeeTomato at 2:19AM on 02/17/08
this contest is no contest: Calvin Trillin
gorzd at 2:55AM on 02/17/08
Tough call, but I have to go with my first food writer love Jeffrey Steingarten.
kramer206 at 3:38AM on 02/17/08
John T Edge
Harold McGee
The Amateur Gourmet
Erinay77 at 4:05AM on 02/17/08
Mark Bittman
bianca34dw at 4:32AM on 02/17/08
I'm a cookbook lover so I have a ton of favorites, but I'm especially fond of Anthony Bourdain and Lida Bastianich
Jessilyn24 at 5:03AM on 02/17/08
Joe Bonwich of the St. Louis Post Dispatch
triceratops at 6:17AM on 02/17/08
mr. bourdain, hands down.
grace24 at 6:40AM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
shirley26 at 7:15AM on 02/17/08
Calvin Trillin and James Beard.
clc408 at 7:20AM on 02/17/08
Dorie Greenspan
yiwern at 7:38AM on 02/17/08
i'm a favorite of the locals, any who go undercover and do it sans fame
agordon10 at 7:58AM on 02/17/08
MFK Fisher, her book the Art of Eating is wonderful!
susanchester at 8:16AM on 02/17/08
MFK Fisher is the best,
idahomom at 8:31AM on 02/17/08
Rachael Ray by far!!!
jayhawk1 at 8:47AM on 02/17/08
Rachael Ray
THANK YOU GOD BLESS
bigtim60 at 8:49AM on 02/17/08
Mark Bittman: simple, concise; reading him gets food on the table; his YouTube video with Suzanne Goin on how to make pork confit is amazing
slowcook at 8:52AM on 02/17/08
Brett Martin, definitely
oneperfectegg at 9:01AM on 02/17/08
Ruth Reichl
denyse at 9:04AM on 02/17/08
MFK Fisher
hank19 at 9:07AM on 02/17/08
dorrie greenspan
bibliothecaire at 9:17AM on 02/17/08
Bittman
jittybug at 9:27AM on 02/17/08
Ruth Reichl
AsTheNight at 9:27AM on 02/17/08
My favorite food writer is Greg Cox of the Raleigh, NC NEWS AND OBSERVER
townfam at 9:51AM on 02/17/08
Marion Nestle!
producestories at 9:55AM on 02/17/08
My favorite food writer is Greg Cox of the Raleigh, NC NEWS AND OBSERVER
townfam at 9:57AM on 02/17/08
RW Apple--he was the best ever.
mwfernandez at 10:04AM on 02/17/08
Trillin, Beard, Reichl, Kurlansky, and Edna Lewis
intheyearofthepig at 10:20AM on 02/17/08
Rachel Ray - she's fun, enthusiastic, and cooks at my level.
Aisling at 10:33AM on 02/17/08
MFK Fisher changed my life. Ok, not really, but she's amazing.
mballena at 10:46AM on 02/17/08
As something more than a cookbook writer, I have learned from and enjoyed READING the books by Alton Brown. Don't buy them, if you are looking for a recipe. If you want to learn about food and how to cook using those ingredients, he's a good teacher. Not only that, but you'll learn what each ingredients does/or should do in a recipe. Not for everyone, but certainly for the amateur who wants to learn about cooking and methods.
jcamp2020 at 10:51AM on 02/17/08
Laurie Colwin -- her books made me a better cook and a better person.
sklose at 10:54AM on 02/17/08
anthony bourdain
imjasonc at 10:56AM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain.
dglitter at 11:03AM on 02/17/08
dorrie greenspan
redron at 11:09AM on 02/17/08
i'm gonna have to go with Chris Sherman.
samanthapayntr at 11:17AM on 02/17/08
rachael ray
maweisberg at 11:22AM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain & I have also finished reading Bill Buford's Heat which I really enjoyed
borogirl at 11:23AM on 02/17/08
Julia Child
Anomaly at 11:23AM on 02/17/08
Calvin Trillin!
emmccallon at 11:28AM on 02/17/08
I use Bittman the most - but probably MKF F.
pookywookyster at 11:37AM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
dove1960 at 11:38AM on 02/17/08
Calvin Trillin always leaves me needing a napkin to wipe the smile off my face ...
He's got my vote
soher at 11:51AM on 02/17/08
Jonathan Gold
Majorcat at 11:58AM on 02/17/08
Calvin Trillin is undeniably my favorite
Angela1018 at 12:02PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain!
mariana at 12:26PM on 02/17/08
Laurie Colwin - her column in Gourmet was the first thing I turned to every month.
freddy at 12:27PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
DePro at 12:31PM on 02/17/08
Nigel Barden
ehdelfino at 12:46PM on 02/17/08
I like Calvin Trillin and Anthony Bourdain equally.
SeahorseLady at 12:48PM on 02/17/08
Calvin Trillin!
fshapiro at 12:56PM on 02/17/08
Jeffrey Steingarten, Michael Ruhlman, Harold McGee and Alton Brown
bobfole at 1:04PM on 02/17/08
calvin trillin
carusoc at 1:05PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
doramere at 1:16PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
Kimberly222 at 1:18PM on 02/17/08
One more for Bourdain.
Ravara at 1:20PM on 02/17/08
Tim Love
steadier571 at 1:20PM on 02/17/08
Michael Ruhlman and Jeffrey Steingarten
danwalk at 1:22PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
susitravl at 1:25PM on 02/17/08
Ruth Reichl for her stories and Bittman for his recipes. I have two of his How To Cook Everything series.
anado at 1:30PM on 02/17/08
bourdain.
MajaMeza79 at 1:41PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain is the man.
mousitch at 1:56PM on 02/17/08
I love Jamie Oliver's cookbooks! :)
nekineki at 2:04PM on 02/17/08
I vote Alton Brown. I love the science aspect, being a scientist.
aprille at 2:06PM on 02/17/08
Amanda Hesser. Loved her book -- passed it around to all my family and friends!
Jane M at 2:21PM on 02/17/08
Jeffrey Steingarten - his obsessive attempts to replicate recipes always make me giggle - and learn something!
sachidewey at 2:26PM on 02/17/08
I'm guessing I would like Anthony Bourdain.
yadgirl at 2:31PM on 02/17/08
Ruth Reichl
mepolo at 2:37PM on 02/17/08
Hello, Thanks for a fun contest! I enjoy Jonathan Gold as a food writer! Thanks,Cindi
windycindy at 2:37PM on 02/17/08
The stories Susan Herman Loomis weaves around her Farmhouse cookbook series are as tasty and warming as the recipes.
Colengal at 2:41PM on 02/17/08
This is a really tough one. I'm going to go with Nigella Lawson today because I'm feeling sort of relaxed and weekend-y.
missginsu at 2:45PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
saturdaynightfever at 2:56PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
utahups at 2:58PM on 02/17/08
Michael Ruhlman, Anthony Bourdain, Jeffrey Steingarten...
QueenHerm at 2:59PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
yellowlabs at 3:03PM on 02/17/08
I'll have to go with Anthony Bourdain. Thank you for the contest!
AmberRose95 at 3:17PM on 02/17/08
Definitley Bourdain..no wait, Ina Garten, or maybe...only one fave????
Sizemom at 3:20PM on 02/17/08
cat cora
trippyjanet at 3:24PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
pcmiller at 3:32PM on 02/17/08
Dorie Greenspan and Michael Ruhlman
brilynn at 3:41PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, and orangette.blogspot.com
Messily at 3:44PM on 02/17/08
love ina garten
sln123 at 4:03PM on 02/17/08
calvin trillin
allkindsoffood at 4:13PM on 02/17/08
Mark Bittman
EAGarner78 at 4:21PM on 02/17/08
Dorie Greenspan. Love to read and listen to her on the radio. I feel like I've baked and tasted that which she is describing almost by osmosis she is so good at it.
mmmcake at 4:30PM on 02/17/08
Bourdain, of course - and Ruth Reichl.
Nezrite at 4:38PM on 02/17/08
oh, gotta love anthony bourdain's sarcastic wit.
uninorth at 4:42PM on 02/17/08
Hands down, Calvin Trillin, although of late I've really been enjoying Orangette's (Molly Wizenberg's) blog...
msmla at 4:47PM on 02/17/08
MFK Fisher
foodette at 4:53PM on 02/17/08
anthony bourdain, of course!
bitsofmyself at 4:55PM on 02/17/08
Rachel Ray, she is cuter than all the guys,Giaida also, do you see a trend here.
kinkopf at 4:57PM on 02/17/08
Carlo Petrini
Chicagofoodie at 4:57PM on 02/17/08
I never tire of reading Laurie Colwin.
gregsmom at 5:01PM on 02/17/08
MFK Fisher...Nigel Slater....Nigella Lawson
happybites at 5:06PM on 02/17/08
***ANTHONY BOURDAIN***
paris221966 at 5:13PM on 02/17/08
Ed Levine. Seriously.
thesu at 5:34PM on 02/17/08
I enjoy seeing what MFK Fisher has to say.
idahodad7 at 5:35PM on 02/17/08
M. F. K. Fisher
girl222 at 5:41PM on 02/17/08
I lke Tony Bourdain
cuddles115 at 5:47PM on 02/17/08
I'm stunned no one has mentioned my favorite: John Thorne.
CheesePlease at 5:49PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain. I like his style and humor.
susiewie at 6:03PM on 02/17/08
Laurie Colwin. Better known for her fiction, and only wrote two books about food, but Home Cooking and More Home Cooking are now and forever my favorites.
thdx3 at 6:11PM on 02/17/08
I'm a Mark Bittman fan
AICORP at 6:15PM on 02/17/08
How about Roy Andries de Groot? He wrote a marvelous cookbook/travelogue entitled "Auberge of the Flowering Hearth." That's where I want to go when I die. They drank Petrus for lunch!
marika at 6:32PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain - thanks for the contest!
RobsGirl123 at 6:44PM on 02/17/08
Definitely has to be Tony Bourdain.
steflink at 6:56PM on 02/17/08
Paula Deen. I like to eat real food.
LIDARKSIDE at 7:03PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
HSlater351 at 7:14PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
fancyfeet48 at 7:26PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain!
retellingstories at 8:05PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
hity88 at 8:14PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
hiann88 at 8:14PM on 02/17/08
Nichola Fletcher, her book was fantastic!
anniehall4000 at 8:32PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
qwer123 at 9:00PM on 02/17/08
adam roberts =D
vchen87 at 9:04PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain.
atreau at 9:24PM on 02/17/08
Definitely Michael Pollan - for now.
rachaelsak at 9:37PM on 02/17/08
Michael Pollan
nicdonn at 9:44PM on 02/17/08
Barbara Kingsolver
mhgatti at 9:55PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
blueviolet at 10:16PM on 02/17/08
Would love to win this cookbook! Thanks!
brmetcalf at 10:19PM on 02/17/08
love to win this!
pincus at 10:21PM on 02/17/08
Paula Dean, Rachael Ray & Ruth Reichl also many others. I collect cookbooks and food books. I just can't get enough!!!
jojoanddash at 10:26PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain
cpom01 at 11:02PM on 02/17/08
Julia Child
annette21 at 11:14PM on 02/17/08
Anthony Bourdain, of course. Thanks for such a great contest!
dmmarklin at 11:35PM on 02/17/08
James Beard. His almost poetic and reverent discriptions of food and food events transports you!
hmay311 at 11:40PM on 02/17/08
I do not have just one favorite.
sdeas at 12:01AM on 02/18/08
Jeff Smith, the Frugal Gourmet
meredith13 at 12:03AM on 02/18/08
Andrew Zimmern in the Twin Cities
ScoobyPebb at 12:39AM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain
freakdujour at 12:59AM on 02/18/08
Paula Deen, she cracks me up and her food is delicious.
Blueyes64 at 1:11AM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain for all the reasons stated by the people who chose him before me. Thanks for the giveaway.
bndraldy at 1:21AM on 02/18/08
Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher :-)
Lilly Tao at 1:49AM on 02/18/08
Definitely Jacques Pepin!! He makes me hungry!
gomamago at 1:51AM on 02/18/08
Jacques Pepin
janetfaye at 2:10AM on 02/18/08
Michael Pollan
nesta67 at 2:55AM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain
greenwolf at 3:00AM on 02/18/08
Paula Dean& Rachael Ray
jmahurin40 at 3:37AM on 02/18/08
Calvin Trillin, he makes me laugh,& there's just not enough of that in the world.
peticook at 3:44AM on 02/18/08
Jean Antheleme Brillat-Savarin
mrsesquilo at 6:08AM on 02/18/08
Julia Childs
gabrielj1 at 6:20AM on 02/18/08
barbara kafka
das at 7:12AM on 02/18/08
John Thorne.
dikaryon at 7:27AM on 02/18/08
Trillin is a God.! I also regularly read John Mariani, Esquire magazine's food columnist and I vastly enjoy his style.
hickcrazy1 at 7:46AM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain
redfantum at 8:15AM on 02/18/08
I love Anthony Bourdain, but I'm also a fan of Jeffrey Steingarten.
bettyjoan at 8:30AM on 02/18/08
Yep, Harold McGee. No question.
DuncanHusky at 8:35AM on 02/18/08
Calvin Trillin's The Tummy Trilogy is what probably made me get into food in the first place. I love him!
spoonerism at 9:40AM on 02/18/08
Jonathan Gold
lilyk at 9:47AM on 02/18/08
anthony bourdain ;0
klp1965 at 10:16AM on 02/18/08
Peter Reinhart is up there, and I've really enjoyed Michael Ruhlman's new Elements of Cooking book.
blueskyman at 10:27AM on 02/18/08
Ruth Reichl
katybug at 10:27AM on 02/18/08
Paula Deen, Rachael Ray nad Mario Batali
TamaraDLMerritt at 10:44AM on 02/18/08
Calvin Trillin. I visited Kansas City atleast twice a year with my vegetarian husband and I have yet to eat at Winstead's!
m0pngl0w at 10:45AM on 02/18/08
No single writer has affected me as much as Anthony Bourdain. While there are certainly better writers from a technique or educational standpoint, few can match Bourdain from an overall entertainment perspective.
digitalburro at 11:18AM on 02/18/08
Vertamae Grosvenor
garrettsambo at 11:18AM on 02/18/08
Tony Bourdain
pinkyga at 11:21AM on 02/18/08
I like Lynne Rossetto Kasper of "the Splendid Table."
artmarcia at 11:35AM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain
kamewh at 11:38AM on 02/18/08
I haven't read many, but I'd go with Anthony Bourdain.
Jikuu at 11:49AM on 02/18/08
mfk fisher
skim at 12:08PM on 02/18/08
Harold McGee
debbie78 at 12:11PM on 02/18/08
I like Greg Cox in the Raleigh N&O as well.
aliguori at 12:21PM on 02/18/08
Eric Asimov. Also Nancy Leson of the Seattle Times.
Stushi at 12:26PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain
dwarzel at 12:47PM on 02/18/08
craig claiborne!
lasky at 12:49PM on 02/18/08
Robyn Lee
mkojulie at 12:57PM on 02/18/08
rachael ray!
Stephen1969 at 1:16PM on 02/18/08
The italian girl. my daughter laughs at me cause i never remember her name. it starts with a G
gailann22 at 1:26PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain
elysek at 1:47PM on 02/18/08
Tony Bourdain...definitely the best. My husband has read three of his books!
mrstrooper at 2:01PM on 02/18/08
Calvin Trillin
kaaas at 2:17PM on 02/18/08
Calvin Trillin
breadchick at 2:34PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain - He tells it like it is!!!
DogmaticT at 2:38PM on 02/18/08
Tony Bourdain!
AddiE at 2:50PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain is a hoot!
pancak at 3:07PM on 02/18/08
It's a tossup between Anthony Bourdain and Brillat-Savarin. Both as funny as it gets.
therealpotato at 3:10PM on 02/18/08
Mark Bittman is the best
lovella at 3:17PM on 02/18/08
I love cookbooks and Jennifer Yee is my pick for favorite food writer!
conlar at 3:26PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain, definitely!
DonnaSkipper at 3:36PM on 02/18/08
cookbooks is what i love to read. anthony bourdain i like
twirlaba at 3:37PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain
thotfulspot at 3:57PM on 02/18/08
Rachel Ray
Schlauberger at 4:14PM on 02/18/08
Laurie Colwin.
cjstephens at 4:17PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain seems very honest
joni514 at 4:30PM on 02/18/08
Calvin Trillin
jebphillips at 4:39PM on 02/18/08
I have Mark Bittman's book "How to Cook Everthing" and what I like about him is that he really has a genuine love for cooking.
Bakersdozen at 4:44PM on 02/18/08
Anthony Bourdain #1 FAN
Not only can he cook but I really like his style.
gsm57 at 4:56PM on 02/18/08
Paula Deen. Southern all the way.
cowleyh at 5:23PM on 02/18/08
Thanks for particupating and congratulations to our winners:
clc408
bianca34dw
louiseb130
sjwoodin
ErisianSaint
Marilyn
mcclojjtz
You have received an email from us about how to claim your book. Please check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox. If you don't receive an email, contact roboppy@seriouseats.com.
roboppy at 3:43PM on 02/26/08