Debating 'Modernist Cuisine'
It takes a brave man to tackle reviewing Nathan Myhrvold’s monumental “Modernist Cuisine.” Heck, as my old friend Michael Ruhlman intimated in his New York Times piece, it takes a brave man to even try to lift it. Actually, I thought Ruhlman did a terrific job — finding much to praise and some to criticize while frankly admitting that a truly comprehensive and authoritative review of such a massive project (five volumes plus appendix) is probably beyond the grasp of any single mortal.
Myhrvold, not shy to join a debate, posted a long and thoughtful rebuttal on the food website EGullet. Both pieces are worth reading. Drop your thoughts in the comments.
-- Russ Parsons
Photo: Volume 2 of "Modernist Cuisine." Credit: Amazon.com
Myhrvold's rebuttal was long but I would say more prickly than thoughtful.
Posted by: Leb | March 23, 2011 at 10:38 PM
I cannot get beyond a big WHY? Why debate it, why comment on it, why even write it?
There are people hungry in our country while we still throw millions of dollars in un-eaten food away every day. This cookbook and this debate about it only gives credence to those that criticize people that care about food as elitist.
This cookbook, this debate is just plain silly when there are real issues about food to talk about.
Posted by: Sharon Miro | March 10, 2011 at 02:32 PM