To say that the food of Michel Richard is art is almost an understatement. He loves to create, innovate and alter dishes as much as he enjoys eating the near-to-perfect results. In Happy in the Kitchen: The Craft of Cooking, the Art of Eating, Richard shares many of his techniques with home chefs, providing details that he and his staff use to make some really amazing things.
The book focuses on technique - dicing, slicing, poaching and substituting one ingredient for another. There are lots of step-by-step photos to demonstrate all these skills, so the reader doesn't have to rely on imagination alone. This is a good thing, since how many people are likely to think up raspberry and almond "salami" on their own?
The recipes in the book are really for those who enjoy the "craft of cooking" and want to spend time in their kitchen experimenting. The time will be well-rewarded with dishes like Chicken Faux Gras, Lobsterburgers and Le Kit Cat. You're not going to find any 30-minute meals here, but you will probably have some fun.











