Product Description

Raymond Blanc has achieved worldwide fame as an inspired chef with a relentless drive for perfection. His cooking has been described as 'an extraordinary process of creativity, passion, subtlety, indeed genius'. He is entirely self-taught and has never revealed the secrets of his cuisine. But here he explains his uniquely successful methods and shares some of the very special recipes from his Oxfordshire restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. M. Blanc's reputation is such that even before it opened in 1984, Le Manoir was awarded two Michelin stars.

In keeping with Raymond Blanc's insistence on fresh produce, the emphasis in this book is on seasonal variety, with thirty to forty recipes for each season. With glorious photographs by Michael Boys, a preface by Egon Ronay and foreword by Hugh Johnson, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons conveys a little of the genius of the chef widely regarded as the best in Britain.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1200887 in Books
• Published on: 1994-09-22
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 280 pages

Synopsis
Divided by seasons, this book has a short introduction and menu suggestions followed by 30 to 40 recipes, categorized into soups, cold hors d'oeuvres, fish, poultry, game, meat and desserts. There are also basic recipes for vegetables, sauces and jellies, an introduction to wines, and a list of specialist food and wine stockists. This book is part of a limited boxed, signed and numbered edition. Raymond Blanc is the restaurateur of "Le Manoir aux 'Quat Saisons" which was awarded two Michelin stars before it even opened.

About the Author
Raymond Blanc was born in Besancon in eastern France into a family of food lovers. Moving to England at 22, he worked first as a waiter and then in a hotel kitchen. From these humble beginnings, his talent propelled him to fame within only a few years.

Customer Reviews

Great book but experience in the kitchen is a must
This book is indeed very special, however you will need to know how to follow complex recipes, and a very good understanding of cooking, this is not a book for the faint hearted as the recipes are long, and at times complex but if you want the wow factor at the end of a dinner partie then this is most definately the book for you. Very pleased with my purchase but need a spare few hours to really get into it.

Blanc is whiter than white
Let's get one thing straight! This isn't Delia! Part of the joy of this book is the sheer escapism, and the insight it gives into the extraordinarily detailed and complex world of a world-class kitchen, and the borderline-obsessive that runs it. However, there are some recipes that a reasonably competent cook can accomplish, and Blanc makes sure that each dish is graded accordingly. Some are just to salivate over, and wonder at, others are really achievable. I have often cooked the magnificent, and surprisingly straightforward hot caramel souffle, for example, but wouldn't attempt the complex bouillabaise terrine! The best thing is to give in, go to the restaurant and eat the food! But, great book for anyone remotely interested in the best cooking of the last 20 years or so, and in the personal philosophy of one of our greatest French (honorary British!) chefs.

Fantastic, easy to follow - wonderful results in the kitchen
An excellent way to impress your friends at a dinner party. His dishes are very impressive and fun to make