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For molecular gastronomy cooks
El Bulli 1994-1997 vol. 2 English EditionEl Bulli 1994-1997 vol. 2 English Edition by Ferran Adria
Startlingly original with presentations that are relatively accessible - remarkable that the dishes can be so original even after almost 10 years
El Bulli: 1998-2002El Bulli: 1998-2002 by Ferran Adria
Buy used from: £249.66
Even more extreme than ElBulli 1994-97, but hard to get the ingredients
El Bulli 2003-2004El Bulli 2003-2004 by Ferran Adria
Buy used from: £231.00
Easier to get the ingredients; more emphasis on techniques than the previous volumes - equally inspiring
The Big Fat Duck CookbookThe Big Fat Duck Cookbook by Heston Blumenthal
Buy new: £60.00
This is a big book - big ideas, big recipes and a size that makes elBulli look like a paperback; inspired and inspiring
L'Encyclopédie culinaire du XXIe siècleL'Encyclopédie culinaire du XXIe siècle by Marc Veyrat
The application of molecular gastronomy techniques to classical French cooking; vol 1 is a personal history; vol 3 the interesting part with much use of Thermomixes; vol 2 a Baedecker of herbs
In Search of PerfectionIn Search of Perfection by Heston Blumenthal
Buy new: £12.00 / Used from: £4.68
One or two really interesting ideas (such as the use of vodka to get crispy batter); relies on a significant amount of background knowledge; not restaurant dishes
Further Adventures in Search of PerfectionFurther Adventures in Search of Perfection by Heston Blumenthal
Buy new: £10.42 / Used from: £4.25
Densely complex cooking; much to learn and a whole lot more to try; thought provoking (for the serious enthusiast)
Essence: Recipes from Le Champignon SauvageEssence: Recipes from Le Champignon Sauvage by David Everitt-Matthias
Buy new: £16.25 / Used from: £15.23
Slow cooking, foams and even a supplier for waterbaths - an instant molecular gastronomy 'must see'; some of the ingredients can be hard to find
Sous Vide CuisineSous Vide Cuisine by Joan Roca
Buy used from: £209.24
For those of you with a waterbath, vacuum packing machine and a probe thermometer this is curently the definitive reference; heavy on technique, light on recipes
Decoding Ferran Adria DVD: Hosted by Anthony BourdainDecoding Ferran Adria DVD: Hosted by Anthony Bourdain by Anthony Bourdain
Buy new: £9.86 / Used from: £12.96
Worth watching a few times to get the El Bulli techniques down pat
Charlie Trotter's CookbookCharlie Trotter's Cookbook by Charlie Trotter
Buy new: £21.73 / Used from: £21.32
Charlie Trotter deserves to be on this list for his dedication to perfection - it could be any of his cookbooks
Grand Livre De Cuisine: Alain Duccasse's Culinary EncyclopediaGrand Livre De Cuisine: Alain Duccasse's Culinary Encyclopedia by Alain Ducasse
Buy new: £92.55 / Used from: £60.75
Not obviously a molecular gastronomy tome, but the frequent references to sous vide techniques makes this a very useful addition
Dessert CuisineDessert Cuisine by Oriol Balaguer
Buy used from: £206.85
Some very nice ideas with precise instructions; generally recipes tend to be too sweet, but can easily be adjusted
Gusto EsteticoGusto Estetico by Fabio Tacchella
Buy used from: £70.67
Some terrifically simple ways to present food in a new way; Parmesan crisps are a spectacular hit
Cocktail CuisineCocktail Cuisine by Toni Botella
Buy used from: £126.64
Some great ideas on presentation; a bit more manipulated than Tacchella's Gusto Estetico
The Cook's Book: Including Marcus Wareing, Shaun Hill, Ken Hom and Charlie Trotter: Step-by-step Techniques and Recipes for Success Every Time from the ... Shaun Hill, Ken Hom and Charlie TrotterThe Cook's Book: Including Marcus Wareing, Shaun Hill, Ken Hom and Charlie Trotter: Step-by-step Techniques and Recipes for Success Every Time from the ... Shaun Hill, Ken Hom and Charlie Trotter by Marcus Wareing
Buy new: £19.51 / Used from: £16.00
Think of this as a crammer for foams - Ferran Adria has a chapter (the rest of the book is OK, but...)