Community Reviews

Rating(3.8 / 5.0, 59 votes)
5 stars
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3 stars
24(41%)
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59 reviews
July 15,2025
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Colicchio gives really good information in this book.

He presents a wealth of knowledge that is both interesting and useful. The details he provides offer valuable insights into various aspects related to the subject matter.

Readers can expect to gain a deeper understanding and learn new things from his words.

The information is presented in a clear and engaging manner, making it easy for the reader to follow along and absorb.

Whether you are a novice or an experienced enthusiast, this book has something to offer.

Colicchio's expertise shines through, and his ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple way is truly remarkable.

Overall, this book is a great resource for anyone looking to expand their knowledge and learn from a respected authority in the field.
July 15,2025
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Even though Tom can be a one trick pony (by cooking everything with thyme and butter), this guy can really cook.

His skills in the kitchen are truly remarkable.

This is an absolute MUST have book for any serious home cook.

It has taught me a great deal about how to compose dishes, from the selection of ingredients to the arrangement on the plate.

Moreover, it also introduced me to the basics of restaurant technique, such as proper knife skills, temperature control, and timing.

Thanks to this book, my cooking has improved significantly, and I am now able to create delicious and impressive meals for my family and friends.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about cooking and wants to take their skills to the next level.
July 15,2025
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I am really looking forward to trying a vast number of these recipes.

Tom has truly hooked it up with some amazing basics that I can't wait to build upon.

His collection of recipes seems to be a goldmine of culinary inspiration.

I envision myself in the kitchen, excitedly following each step, and seeing how these simple yet delicious recipes come together.

It's not just about making food; it's about the process of exploration and discovery.

By starting with these fundamentals, I hope to expand my cooking skills and create unique and mouthwatering dishes.

Whether it's a new flavor combination or a different cooking technique, I'm eager to embrace it all.

So, here's to a journey of culinary adventure with Tom's recipes as my guide.

I can't wait to see what delicious creations await me.
July 15,2025
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Great approach to how to create dishes.

I may be a bit biased as I have worked for Tom and have always been fond of his approach to food. However, I firmly believe that this is a well-written and highly insightful book on cooking.

Unlike the typical formulaic recipe style cookbooks that simply list ingredients and steps, this book delves deeper into the art and science of creating delicious dishes.

It offers valuable tips and techniques on everything from ingredient selection to flavor pairing, cooking methods to presentation.

The author's passion for food shines through on every page, making it not only a useful guide for novice cooks but also an inspiring read for experienced chefs.

Whether you're looking to expand your culinary repertoire or simply want to learn more about the creative process behind cooking, this book is definitely worth checking out.

It's a refreshing take on the traditional cookbook and a must-have for any food lover's collection.
July 15,2025
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From a man who had a unique approach to cooking. He didn't want to rely on recipes, so he taught himself how to cook. And now, he has become a 5-star chef, impressing everyone with his culinary skills.

One of the ingredients he has mastered is roasted tomatoes. The process of roasting tomatoes brings out their rich flavor and unique texture, making them a wonderful addition to many dishes.

Learning about roasted tomatoes from this 5-star chef is like reading an interesting book. He shares his tips and tricks, his personal experiences, and his creative ideas on how to use roasted tomatoes in different ways.

Whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or an experienced cook, you will find something valuable in his teachings. So, if you are looking to expand your culinary knowledge and add some new flavors to your dishes, this 5-star chef's insights on roasted tomatoes are definitely worth exploring.
July 15,2025
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Finding very inspiration thoughts about how to think as a chef is truly an exciting journey. It's almost like starting from scratch, which can be both challenging and liberating. This book is a great read for cooks and chefs who are just starting out in the industry. What makes it special is that there are no rigid rules in it. Instead, creativity runs wild. It encourages you to break free from the traditional norms and explore new ideas and combinations. You can let your imagination soar and come up with unique and innovative dishes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced chef, this book has the potential to inspire you and take your cooking to the next level.

July 15,2025
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After reading this book,

I find myself thinking differently when I look at ingredients and cooking.

The idea was to extend how we think, and indeed, I'm now looking at recipes in a very different way.

The book contains some truly great recipes.

However, what's even more interesting is that all of these recipes can be adjusted according to one's own taste and dietary needs.

This gives me the freedom to be creative in the kitchen and make the dishes my own.

It also makes me realize that cooking is not just about following a set of instructions but about using our imagination and intuition to create something delicious.

Overall, this book has been a great inspiration for me and has changed the way I approach cooking.

I'm excited to try out more recipes and see where my newfound creativity takes me in the kitchen.
July 15,2025
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Tom Colicchio from before Top Chef.

I truly appreciate a book about cooking that goes beyond being just a recipe book. This one is more of a remarkable collection of ideas. It commences with some fundamental cooking terms and techniques and then progresses to examples for working with and thinking about ingredients. It's all about learning how to "think like a chef".

I really like the groupings of recipes. For instance, there are half a dozen different ways to prepare roasted tomatoes. This is an excellent way to unleash a cook's creativity, making them think about meals as building blocks based on what's available and what's inspirational, rather than following top-down, scripted concepts from a page.

However, I felt that the groupings of ingredients weren't always within the reach of the home cook. Lobster, for example, is something I might cook perhaps once a year, if that. Duck, even less frequently. And unfortunately, I happen to not be fond of mushrooms, so there are three entire chapters that I couldn't get much use out of.

Overall, I found the book to be a little too geared towards the gourmand to fully engage me. I even had to refer to other books or search for terms on Google that Tom glossed over in his explanations. But still, I did manage to learn some things, and I enjoyed being able to read the book from cover to cover, which isn't possible with a straightforward cook book. Plus, there are pictures of Tom Colicchio with a full head of hair. What's not to like?

July 15,2025
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What I initially thought was simply another shiny coffee-table cookbook, perhaps designed merely to boost the career of a well-known celebrity chef, has actually turned out to be a genuine teaching book.

Thirty years ago, "The Joy of Cooking" held that special place for me. However, this particular book truly delves into the imagination, creativity, and the seasonal aspects of thinking in the way a chef does.

It doesn't just present a collection of recipes; it offers valuable insights and techniques that can inspire readers to think beyond the ordinary and approach cooking with a more artistic and thoughtful mindset.

By emphasizing the importance of imagination and creativity, it encourages cooks to experiment and come up with their own unique dishes. Additionally, the focus on seasonal ingredients helps to ensure that the food is not only delicious but also in tune with the natural rhythm of the seasons.

This book has the potential to transform the way we think about cooking and turn it into a truly enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
July 15,2025
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Perfectly fine.

If I understand correctly, this book was written before the concept of being a foodie became mainstream. Back then, getting an inside look into how a chef works was truly novel. It offered a unique perspective that many readers found fascinating.

However, at this current point in time, the culinary literature landscape has evolved significantly. There are now numerous other books available that can provide so much more in terms of technique. They can offer detailed explanations and step-by-step guides on various cooking methods, enabling readers to enhance their skills in the kitchen.

Moreover, there are books that focus more on ingredients. They explore the characteristics, uses, and pairings of different食材, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of the building blocks of great cuisine.

Additionally, there are books that delve into the thought process of chefs. They reveal the creative inspiration, decision-making, and problem-solving that goes into creating a memorable dish.

Unfortunately, "Think Like a Chef" seems to suffer from the need for more. It may not be able to compete with the wealth of knowledge and depth offered by these other books in the market.
July 15,2025
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Inspiring, educational, and interesting!

I picked up this book with the hope of uncovering new cooking techniques. I have always been a rather poor cook, or perhaps I was just uninterested. I used to rely on pre-packaged meals. However, things have changed, and now I'm eager to learn. This book has been a great help in that regard. I firmly believe that if you know the basics, you can create anything in the kitchen. Colicchio provides numerous tips and ideas that have enhanced my cooking knowledge. Some of the recipes appear to be both easy and delicious, and I'm extremely excited to give them a try. Nevertheless, some of the ingredients he uses and recommends are simply not accessible in my small town. Despite this, this book has inspired me to get creative and make new dishes using the ingredients that I can obtain. Additionally, I really enjoyed the autobiographical elements included. I've always found it fascinating to catch a glimpse of someone's background and journey.

It's truly amazing how a book can have such a profound impact on one's perspective and motivation. I'm looking forward to putting what I've learned into practice and seeing the results of my newfound cooking endeavors.
July 15,2025
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An interesting read was presented by one of the Top Chef judges. I had no prior knowledge of his extensive cooking background. It was quite fascinating to learn about his cooking philosophy. He emphasized the importance of becoming intuitive in the kitchen and allowing the ingredients to dictate what one makes, rather than strictly following recipes. This approach seems to bring out the true essence and potential of the ingredients. By being open to the possibilities that the ingredients present, one can create unique and delicious dishes. It also encourages creativity and innovation in cooking. Overall, it was a great insight into the mind of a professional chef and his approach to cooking.

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