BOOK PEEK: Modernist Cuisine

Breathtaking photography, scientifically-refined cooking tips, and a compilation of the best plated dishes make up the five hefty volumes of Modernist Cuisine. Hailed as the most important cookbook of its contemporaries, this 2,500 page masterpiece is a work of art in itself, having been written and researched on with the utmost care, much like a scientist with his inventions. Rightly so, as its principal author, Dr. Nathan Myhrvold is the former Microsoft Chief Technology Officer and founder of Intellectual Ventures.

Unsatisfied with the information he needed to find about “sous vide,” a French cooking technique, Myhrvold took it upon himself to research and contribute the steps in making his desired meal. In his retirement, he took a serious interest in culinary arts and participated in online cooking forums. Soon, upon suggestion and prodding from his readers, he decided to make his contribution to the culinary world official by penning a cookbook himself. 

 

Dr. Myhrvold literally cuts to the core of every meal he teaches us to prepare, by showing us exactly how to lay out ingredients, and portraying all the ingredients in such a vivid manner. The photography is undeniably one of the highlights of the book, while his background as a scientist molded the very unique approach he took in compiling cooking tips and techniques to share. With its images and content at top quality, Modernist Cuisine is a cookbook that both professional chefs and home-cooking mavens will appreciate and learn from. 

Modernist Cuisine is available in Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street and Rockwell in very limited quantities. Please call 8587046 (BHS) or 8980968 (RW) to inquire. Price is available upon request.

Learn more about Modernist Cuisine by visiting their blog: http://modernistcuisine.com/, and their YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ModernistCuisine. Photos in this entry are from the official book blog and the blog of Dr. Myrhvold's old colleagues, Bill Gates: TheGatesNotes.com.

BOOK PEEK: George Harrison: Living in a Material World

I don't think anyone can ever say they are too young for The Beatles. Even for someone like me, who didn't live during the pinnacle of their fame, The Beatles will always be a monument of rock music, a quartet of musicians that meshed so well musically.

Just a few days ago, Martin Scorsese's documentary on the life of the late George Harrison, Living in a Material World debuted on HBO in the UK and the US, and that was just about the time I spotted two books about the band, on the fourth floor of our Fort branch: John, Paul, George, Ringo & Me by Tony Barrow, and George Harrison: Living in a Material World.

The first title, penned by the band's former Press Officer, is a retelling of how the author knew the Beatles the best, and how the four boys from Liverpool lived during their most famous days.  I haven't been able to browse through it so much yet, but I've already taken so much time today just looking through the second book! Edited and curated by Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison, George Harrison: Living in a Material World compiles the quiet Beatle's most reflective quotes, most personal moments and most memorable relationships as told by the people who knew him best. Here is a book peek into the 400-page coffee table book that I can't seem to stop looking through over and over again:
 

A stolen shot, a golden moment, one with Bob Dylan!

 A billboard for one of his solo albums with the same title as the book and documentary. 

 A memory written on a folded napkin: With many old letters and scanned tickets from his concerts, Living in a Material World documents Harrison's life in such poignant detail. 

Lastly, the most interesting part of the book: that it contains Harrison's personal photographs, those that he took to record his life, those that others took with his camera. Here, he is with Eric Clapton in a garden, in what looks to be a legendary moment lost in time. 

I leave you now with the trailer for the documentary, and wait and pray that HBO Philippines shows it as well!





George Harrison: Living in a Material World by Olivia Harrison, is available at P1899 in select Fully Booked branches.  John, Paul, George, Ringo & Me by Tony Barrow is also available at P1099.  Check www.fullybookedonline.com for more details.