The James Beard Foundation's "Cookbook of the Year"

a list by Peter, the avid reader who runs Flashlight Worthy

The James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their field. They give out a wide variety of awards each year, but the "Cookbook of the Year" is the award that everyone really wants.

onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_River_Cottage_Meat_Book_2008');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580088430'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_River_Cottage_Meat_Book_2008');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580088430'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The River Cottage Meat Book (2008) by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall Amazon readers say: "Everything you want to know about meat..." "This is more than cooking meat, it is fundamental knowledge." "A man with respect for his food." "A heartfelt ode to prime meat and good animal husbandry." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_River_Cottage_Meat_Book_2008');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_River_Cottage_Meat_Book_2008');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580088430'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 543 page hardcover \|$26.40 \|15 reviews This book also appears on: 2008 James Beard Foundation Cookbook Awards 6 Books You Should Read Before You Open Your Mouth


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Lee_Bros_Southern_Cookbook_Stories_and_Recipes_for_Southerners_and_Wouldbe_Southerners_2007');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039305781X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Lee_Bros_Southern_Cookbook_Stories_and_Recipes_for_Southerners_and_Wouldbe_Southerners_2007');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039305781X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook: Stories and Recipes for Southerners and Would-be Southerners (2007) by Matt Lee, Ted Lee onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Lee_Bros_Southern_Cookbook_Stories_and_Recipes_for_Southerners_and_Wouldbe_Southerners_2007');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Lee_Bros_Southern_Cookbook_Stories_and_Recipes_for_Southerners_and_Wouldbe_Southerners_2007');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/039305781X'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 600 page hardcover \|$23.10 \|29 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hungry_Planet_What_the_World_Eats_2006');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580086810'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hungry_Planet_What_the_World_Eats_2006');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580086810'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Hungry Planet: What the World Eats (2006) by Peter Menzel, Faith D'Aluisio, Marion Nestle onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hungry_Planet_What_the_World_Eats_2006');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hungry_Planet_What_the_World_Eats_2006');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580086810'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 288 page hardcover \|$26.40 \|40 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Rick_Steins_Complete_Seafood_2005');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580085687'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Rick_Steins_Complete_Seafood_2005');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580085687'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Rick Stein's Complete Seafood (2005) by Rick Stein onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Rick_Steins_Complete_Seafood_2005');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Rick_Steins_Complete_Seafood_2005');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580085687'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 264 page hardcover \|$26.40 \|7 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_King_Arthur_Flour_Bakers_Companion_The_AllPurpose_Baking_Cookbook_2004');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0881505811'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_King_Arthur_Flour_Bakers_Companion_The_AllPurpose_Baking_Cookbook_2004');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0881505811'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion: The All-Purpose Baking Cookbook (2004) by King Arthur Flour onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_King_Arthur_Flour_Bakers_Companion_The_AllPurpose_Baking_Cookbook_2004');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_King_Arthur_Flour_Bakers_Companion_The_AllPurpose_Baking_Cookbook_2004');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0881505811'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 640 page hardcover \|$23.10 \|53 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Zuni_Cafe_Cookbook_A_Compendium_of_Recipes_and_Cooking_Lessons_from_San_Franciscos_Beloved_Restaurant_2003');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0393020436'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Zuni_Cafe_Cookbook_A_Compendium_of_Recipes_and_Cooking_Lessons_from_San_Franciscos_Beloved_Restaurant_2003');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0393020436'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The Zuni Cafe Cookbook: A Compendium of Recipes and Cooking Lessons from San Francisco's Beloved Restaurant (2003) by Judy Rodgers, Gerald Asher onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Zuni_Cafe_Cookbook_A_Compendium_of_Recipes_and_Cooking_Lessons_from_San_Franciscos_Beloved_Restaurant_2003');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Zuni_Cafe_Cookbook_A_Compendium_of_Recipes_and_Cooking_Lessons_from_San_Franciscos_Beloved_Restaurant_2003');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0393020436'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 504 page hardcover \|$23.10 \|27 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Bread_Bakers_Apprentice_Mastering_the_Art_of_Extraordinary_Bread_2002');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580082688'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Bread_Bakers_Apprentice_Mastering_the_Art_of_Extraordinary_Bread_2002');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580082688'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread (2002) by Peter Reinhart, photography by Ron Manville onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Bread_Bakers_Apprentice_Mastering_the_Art_of_Extraordinary_Bread_2002');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/The_Bread_Bakers_Apprentice_Mastering_the_Art_of_Extraordinary_Bread_2002');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1580082688'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 304 page hardcover \|$23.10 \|173 reviews This book also appears on The IACP Award's "Cookbook of the Year"


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hot_Sour_Salty_Sweet_A_Culinary_Journey_Through_Southeast_Asia_2001');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1579651143'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hot_Sour_Salty_Sweet_A_Culinary_Journey_Through_Southeast_Asia_2001');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1579651143'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Hot Sour Salty Sweet: A Culinary Journey Through Southeast Asia (2001) by Jeffrey Alford, Naomi Duguid onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hot_Sour_Salty_Sweet_A_Culinary_Journey_Through_Southeast_Asia_2001');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/Hot_Sour_Salty_Sweet_A_Culinary_Journey_Through_Southeast_Asia_2001');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1579651143'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 368 page hardcover \|$29.70 \|31 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/A_Mediterranean_Feast_The_Story_of_the_Birth_of_the_Celebrated_Cuisines_of_the_Mediterranean_from_the_Merchants_of_Venice_to_the_Barbary_Corsairs_with_More_than_500_Recipes_2000');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0688153054'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/A_Mediterranean_Feast_The_Story_of_the_Birth_of_the_Celebrated_Cuisines_of_the_Mediterranean_from_the_Merchants_of_Venice_to_the_Barbary_Corsairs_with_More_than_500_Recipes_2000');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0688153054'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">A Mediterranean Feast: The Story of the Birth of the Celebrated Cuisines of the Mediterranean from the Merchants of Venice to the Barbary Corsairs, with More than 500 Recipes (2000) by Clifford A. Wright onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/A_Mediterranean_Feast_The_Story_of_the_Birth_of_the_Celebrated_Cuisines_of_the_Mediterranean_from_the_Merchants_of_Venice_to_the_Barbary_Corsairs_with_More_than_500_Recipes_2000');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_James_Beard_Foundations_Cookbook_of_the_Year/A_Mediterranean_Feast_The_Story_of_the_Birth_of_the_Celebrated_Cuisines_of_the_Mediterranean_from_the_Merchants_of_Venice_to_the_Barbary_Corsairs_with_More_than_500_Recipes_2000');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0688153054'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 840 page hardcover \|$28.37 \|19 reviews

Know any books we should add to the list above? .