There are those people who cook from cookbooks and those who just read them. I fall somewhere in between. Lately, I've been obsessing over cookbooks from the 1980s and truth be told, I haven't read them nor cooked from them- yet. What I've taken delight in are the photos.
I think that those wonderful Tiffany books got me started on this kick a few years ago- Tiffany Taste
So why the fascination with these cookbooks? I think it's because their authors placed as much emphasis on the tables, the background, and the atmosphere as they did the food. The photos are so darn styled...and they look marvelous. When I look at these photos, they make me want to host a dinner or drinks party with the same look and feel. I do think that it's a relief that today we don't have to serve four courses to our guests, nor do our dishes have to be complicated. (I mean, aren't we all eternally grateful to Ina Garten that she made hosting a dinner party so easy?) I also believe, though, that we need to see more photos that go beyond a basic table setting or a closeup shot of the food- photos that get the creative juices flowing and that inspire us to want to entertain at home again.
Today I'll show some photos from Glorious Food, and tomorrow is reserved for Lee Bailey. And if you don't cook, not to worry. The decorating in these photos is really pretty good.
*I do realize that the $99,999 listing is a typo...or perhaps a joke. At least, I hope it is.
(All images from Glorious Food by Christopher Idone)
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
The 1980s and its Glorious Food
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When I read it , I thought something is wrong . A book at that price. The world is Mad.
ReplyDeleteIt can't be.
As I scrolled down I must say you have an eye for elegance.
That was a funny mistake. Where is the proof reader?
yvonne
What glorious photos! I especially love the idea of submerging a bottle in water and freezing it so it becomes an ice bottle! ingenius!
ReplyDeleteYvonne- I know, when I saw that listing on Amazon I literally did a double take!
ReplyDeleteStefan- I think Martha Stewart used to freeze bottles by placing them in a milk carton (top cut off, of course), pouring water in the carton, and then sticking it in the freezer. At least, I think it was Martha.
ReplyDeleteSo true! If it's beautiful and inviting, do we really care so much about what we eat! I genuinely appreciate a good meal, but it's the conversation and atmosphere that often is the thing lingers most in your mind. And yes, hail to Ina!!!
ReplyDeleteCookbooks!! Can't wait for these new posts. Cooking is one of my passions, but there is nothing quite like Southern hospitality/entertaining. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGlorious Food~it's all about the settings, as you say.
ReplyDeleteThe first, second, and fifth of your photo images were
shot at David Easton's apartment~in one of the most ravishingly beautiful rooms of that period. It was one of the reasons I bought that book.
Ah Glorious Food...I still have my copy!(as well as Tiffany's and Lee Bailey's) probably the first of the great coffee table cookbooks.
ReplyDeleteP.S. And Jennifer, if there is a more attractive drinks
ReplyDeletetable than the one in David Easton's pompeiian red room I will eat my chapeau. It's everything a drinks
table (or chest in this case) ought to be, wouldn't you say?
Mr. Worthington- You don't say. I had no idea that it was David Easton's home. How beautiful it was.
ReplyDeleteThe shot of the drinks table is my favorite. I think the red walls and that sunburst mirror make it.
ReplyDeleteWe have a red room so now I have to plot where to put a drinks table! That cover shot is making my mouth water!
ReplyDeleteI feel the exact same way! I collect cookbooks, and I read more of them than I actually cook out of them. The ones I love are the ones from the 1940s-1960s! Talk about styled! And the pictures of the Dad around the grill and the Moms putting the salad on the picnic table, wearing her shirtwaist dress, and the little kids running around are hysterical to me!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who loves to cook and entertain I find these images inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCasey- Cookbooks from that era are like June Cleaver vacuuming in her pearls!
ReplyDeleteThe song from the musical Oliver is of course now racing through my mind as I type...what a clever idea for a post! The photos look timeless...
ReplyDeleteThe frozen water. Yes, I remember the milk carton ones. One of them had flowers submerged before freezing, it was spectacular. I won't buy a cookbook unless it has beautiful photos, one of the main delights of cooking is the thrill of making something look beautiful & taste good as well. Thanks. Marsha
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely Martha. I remember all those 1990s-early 2000s magazine features -- oh and the books -- and they froze colorful flowers in there too. At least with Vodka I'm thinking.
ReplyDeleteLove the chintz chair :)
Good Morning, Jennifer-
ReplyDeleteWelcome back from Bruxelles...
GLORIOUS FOOD:
This was one of the first truly CHIC American cookbooks...and it was more about style and decor and translating a new freshness and creativity.
LEE BAILEY was (is?) brilliant, and I bought all his cookbooks--and I don't and never cook.
I can create a beautiful salad just from their pictures. I 'made' that wonderful SALADE NICOISE on the cover of GLORIOUS FOOD many times just from the cover of the book. It's all there, no need for a recipe.
Bravo for identifying and lauding these talents--their ideas were hugely influential long before Martha came on the scene and she and her catering team co-opted many of the concepts.
cheers, DIANE
www.thestylesaloniste.com
The frozen vodka and the red walls coupled with the bright green plate is fabulous. God I love the 80s, where's my invitation to that soiree?
ReplyDeleteI had not looked at my copy for 20 years! Thanks so much for reminding me of this great book.
ReplyDeleteI have that book from when it was first published. I'll sell it for a mere$99,000!
ReplyDeletethis is funny, I have a slew of 80s cookbooks, that were passed down to me. I thought I was the only one who saved vintage cookbooks for their images!
ReplyDeleteLee Baily's Meatloaf recipe ... the best, bar none!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to try his meatloaf. Just had Nathalie Dupree's version at my friends' house- that one is really delicious too.
ReplyDelete