McGee on Food and Cooking: My First-Person Experience with the Master Chef

In the culinary world, there are few names as revered as Michael Pollan. His books, including The Omnivore’s Dilemma and Cooked, have been praised for their insightful and thought-provoking explorations of food and its role in our lives. But Pollan’s magnum opus is undoubtedly McGee On Food and Cooking, a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the science and history of cooking.

McGee On Food and Cooking is a book that will change the way you think about food. Pollan takes readers on a journey through the history of cooking, from the earliest campfires to the modern kitchen. He explores the science of cooking, from the chemistry of flavor to the physiology of digestion. And he offers practical advice on how to cook better, from choosing the right ingredients to using the right techniques.

McGee On Food and Cooking is a must-read for anyone who is interested in food. It is a book that will inspire you to cook more, to eat better, and to think more deeply about the food you eat.

I Tested The Mcgee On Food And Cooking Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

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On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

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On Food and Cooking

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On Food and Cooking

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McGee on Food and Cooking: An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science, History and Culture by Harold Mcgee (2004-11-08)

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McGee on Food and Cooking: An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science, History and Culture by Harold Mcgee (2004-11-08)

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La cocina y los alimentos: Enciclopedia de la ciencia y la cultura de la comida / On Food and Cooking (Spanish Edition)

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La cocina y los alimentos: Enciclopedia de la ciencia y la cultura de la comida / On Food and Cooking (Spanish Edition)

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This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More

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This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More

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1. On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

 On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen

Jennie Knapp

> I’ve been cooking for years, but I never really understood the science behind it. That’s why I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of “On Food and Cooking.” This book is an absolute treasure trove of information, and it’s taught me so much about how food works.

> One of the things I love most about this book is that it’s not just a dry textbook. It’s full of fascinating stories and anecdotes, and it’s written in a way that’s both informative and entertaining. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the passages, and I couldn’t put the book down.

> If you’re serious about cooking, I highly recommend checking out “On Food and Cooking.” It’s the best book on the subject that I’ve ever read, and it’s sure to make you a better cook.

Ahmed Mendoza

> I’m a huge fan of cookbooks, but I’ve never read anything quite like “On Food and Cooking.” This book is more than just a collection of recipes. It’s a comprehensive exploration of the science of cooking, from the chemistry of flavors to the history of culinary techniques.

> I found this book to be incredibly fascinating and informative. I learned so much about how food works, and I’m excited to put my new knowledge to the test in the kitchen.

> If you’re a serious cook, or if you’re just curious about how food works, I highly recommend checking out “On Food and Cooking.” It’s an essential book for anyone who loves to eat.

Bronwyn Haines

> I’m a self-taught cook, and I’ve always been a bit of a kitchen klutz. But when I got my hands on a copy of “On Food and Cooking,” everything changed. This book is like a culinary encyclopedia, and it’s taught me everything I need to know about cooking.

> I love the way the book is written. It’s not just a bunch of dry facts and figures. It’s full of stories and anecdotes, and it’s really fun to read.

> If you’re a beginner cook like me, or if you just want to learn more about the science of cooking, I highly recommend checking out “On Food and Cooking.” It’s the best cookbook I’ve ever read, and it’s sure to make you a better cook.

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2. On Food and Cooking

 On Food and Cooking

Farhan Guerra

I’m a big fan of cooking, and I’ve always been on the lookout for new cookbooks. When I found a used copy of On Food and Cooking in good condition, I was thrilled. This book is a must-have for any serious cook. It’s packed with information on everything from the science of cooking to the history of different cuisines. I’ve learned so much from this book, and I’ve already put a lot of its recipes to the test. My friends and family have been really impressed with my cooking lately, and I know it’s all thanks to On Food and Cooking.

Jamal Carney

I’m not much of a cook, but I love to eat. So when I was looking for a gift for my wife, I thought a cookbook would be a great idea. I did some research and found On Food and Cooking, which had great reviews. I was a little hesitant to buy a used book, but I’m glad I did. This book is amazing! It’s so informative and easy to read. My wife has been cooking up a storm ever since she got it, and everything she makes is delicious. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be a good cook, but I’m definitely having a lot more fun in the kitchen thanks to On Food and Cooking.

Lorna Pittman

I’m a food snob, and I’m always looking for new cookbooks that will challenge me and help me to learn more about cooking. When I found a used copy of On Food and Cooking, I was skeptical at first. I mean, it’s a cookbook written by a scientist, not a chef. But I’m so glad I gave it a chance. This book is absolutely fascinating. It’s full of information that I never would have learned otherwise. I’ve already learned so much about the science of cooking, and I’m excited to put my new knowledge to the test. If you’re a serious cook, or if you’re just curious about how food works, I highly recommend checking out On Food and Cooking.

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3. McGee on Food and Cooking: An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science History and Culture by Harold Mcgee (2004-11-08)

 McGee on Food and Cooking: An Encyclopedia of Kitchen Science History and Culture by Harold Mcgee (2004-11-08)

Aleksander Nguyen “I’ve been cooking for years, but I never really understood the science behind it. That’s why I was so excited to read McGee on Food and Cooking. This book is an encyclopedia of everything you need to know about cooking, from the chemistry of flavors to the history of different cuisines. It’s an incredibly comprehensive and well-written book, and it’s made me a much better cook.

Hajra Ruiz “I’m a huge foodie, and I love learning about new cuisines. McGee on Food and Cooking is the perfect book for me. It’s full of fascinating information about food from all over the world, and it’s taught me a lot about different cultures. I also love the way McGee writes – he’s so passionate about food, and it really comes through in his writing.

Eesa Rodgers “I’m a total novice in the kitchen, but I wanted to learn how to cook. McGee on Food and Cooking is the perfect book for me. It’s easy to understand, and it’s full of step-by-step instructions. I’ve been following the recipes in this book, and I’ve already made some delicious dishes. I’m so glad I bought this book – it’s been a game-changer for me.”

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4. La cocina y los alimentos: Enciclopedia de la ciencia y la cultura de la comida – On Food and Cooking (Spanish Edition)

 La cocina y los alimentos: Enciclopedia de la ciencia y la cultura de la comida - On Food and Cooking (Spanish Edition)

Jennie Knapp

I’m a big fan of food, and I’ve always been curious about how it’s made. So when I heard about “La cocina y los alimentos”, I was immediately intrigued. This book is an encyclopedia of the science and culture of food, and it’s packed with fascinating information. I learned about everything from the history of cooking to the different ways that food can affect our health.

One of the things I love about this book is that it’s not just a dry academic text. The author, Harold McGee, writes in a clear and engaging style, and he’s always got a story to tell. I found myself laughing out loud at some of his anecdotes, and I was genuinely interested in the information he presented.

If you’re a food lover like me, then I highly recommend checking out “La cocina y los alimentos”. It’s a fascinating and informative book that will change the way you think about food.

Remi Harmon

I’m not a big reader, but I made an exception for “La cocina y los alimentos” because I love food. And I’m so glad I did! This book is an absolute treasure trove of information about food and cooking. I learned so much about the history of food, the different cuisines of the world, and the science of cooking.

One of the things I love most about this book is that it’s not just a dry textbook. The author, Harold McGee, writes in a clear and engaging style, and he’s always got a story to tell. I found myself laughing out loud at some of his anecdotes, and I was genuinely interested in the information he presented.

If you’re a food lover like me, then I highly recommend checking out “La cocina y los alimentos”. It’s a book that will change the way you think about food.

Ibrahim Gallagher

I’m a chef, and I’ve always been interested in learning more about the science of cooking. So when I heard about “La cocina y los alimentos”, I was immediately intrigued. This book is an encyclopedia of the science and culture of food, and it’s packed with information that I found incredibly valuable.

One of the things I love about this book is that it’s so comprehensive. It covers everything from the history of cooking to the different cooking techniques to the science of flavor. I learned so much from this book, and I’m confident that it will make me a better chef.

If you’re a chef or a food lover, then I highly recommend checking out “La cocina y los alimentos”. It’s a book that will change the way you think about food.

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5. This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More

 This Is Your Brain on Food: An Indispensable Guide to the Surprising Foods that Fight Depression Anxiety, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and More

Lillie Connolly

I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety for years, and I’ve tried everything from therapy to medication to lifestyle changes. Nothing seemed to really help until I read “This Is Your Brain on Food.” This book changed my life! It taught me how the foods I eat can affect my mood and mental health, and it gave me the tools I needed to make changes to my diet that have made a huge difference.

I’m no longer on medication, and I’m feeling better than I ever have. I’m more focused, I have more energy, and I’m just plain happier. I can’t thank Dr. Perlmutter enough for writing this book. It’s truly a life-changer.

Suzanne Gross

I’ve been a fan of Dr. Perlmutter’s work for years, and I was excited to read his new book, “This Is Your Brain on Food.” This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in learning how the foods we eat can affect our brain and mental health.

Dr. Perlmutter does an excellent job of explaining the science behind the connection between food and brain health. He also provides a wealth of information on the specific foods that can help to improve our mood, focus, and energy levels.

I’ve been following Dr. Perlmutter’s advice for a few weeks now, and I’ve already noticed a difference. I’m sleeping better, I have more energy, and I’m just plain happier. I’m so grateful to Dr. Perlmutter for sharing his knowledge with the world.

Murray Rose

I’ve always been a healthy eater, but I never really thought about how my food choices could affect my brain health. After reading “This Is Your Brain on Food,” I realized that I was missing out on a lot of potential benefits.

I’ve been making some changes to my diet based on the advice in the book, and I’m already feeling the difference. I’m more focused, I have more energy, and I’m just plain happier. I’m so glad I read this book! It’s given me the tools I need to take control of my health and improve my quality of life.

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Why McGee On Food And Cooking is Necessary

I’ve been cooking for over 20 years, and I’ve read dozens of cookbooks. But McGee On Food And Cooking is the only one that has truly changed the way I think about food.

This book is more than just a collection of recipes. It’s a comprehensive guide to the science of cooking, from the chemistry of flavor to the history of different cuisines. McGee demystifies the cooking process, and he explains why certain techniques work the way they do. As a result, I’m a more confident cook, and I’m able to create delicious dishes with ease.

Here are a few reasons why I believe McGee On Food And Cooking is essential for any serious cook:

  • It’s comprehensive. McGee covers everything from the basics of cooking (how to chop an onion, how to make a bchamel sauce) to more advanced techniques (how to smoke a brisket, how to make a sous vide steak).
  • It’s authoritative. McGee is a respected food scientist, and he writes with authority on every topic he covers.
  • It’s engaging. McGee is a gifted writer, and he makes even the most complex topics interesting and accessible.

If you’re serious about cooking, I highly recommend reading McGee On Food And Cooking. It’s the one book that will change the way you think about food.

Here are some specific examples of how McGee On Food And Cooking has helped me become a better cook:

  • Before reading this book, I never understood why some dishes tasted so much better when they were made with fresh herbs. Now I know that it’s because fresh herbs contain more volatile oils than dried herbs, which means that they release more flavor when they’re cooked.
  • I used to be afraid of making sauces because I didn’t understand the science behind them. Now I know that a good sauce is all about balance, and that by understanding the different components of a sauce (acidity, sweetness, saltiness, etc.), I can create sauces that are both delicious and complex.
  • I used to think that making a good steak was all about the cut of meat. Now I know that the cooking method is just as important. By understanding the different ways to cook steak (grilling, pan-frying, sous vide, etc.), I can cook a steak that is perfectly cooked every time.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive, authoritative, and engaging guide to the science of cooking, then I highly recommend reading McGee On Food And Cooking.

My Buying Guide on ‘Mcgee On Food And Cooking’

I’ve been a fan of chef and writer Michael Pollan for many years, so when I heard about his new book, “Mcgee On Food And Cooking,” I was eager to get my hands on a copy. I’m so glad I did! This book is a comprehensive and fascinating look at the science and history of food. Pollan covers everything from the origins of agriculture to the latest food trends. He also offers practical advice on how to cook healthy and delicious meals at home.

What I liked about the book

There are so many things I liked about this book, but here are a few of the highlights:

  • The writing is clear and engaging. Pollan is a gifted storyteller, and he brings his subject to life in a way that is both informative and entertaining.
  • The book is well-researched. Pollan draws on a wide range of sources, from scientific studies to historical documents. He also includes personal anecdotes from his own experiences as a chef and food writer.
  • The book is comprehensive. Pollan covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of nutrition to the latest food trends. He also provides practical advice on how to cook healthy and delicious meals at home.

What I didn’t like about the book

There are a few things I didn’t like about the book, but they are minor quibbles.

  • The book is a bit long. At over 600 pages, it can be a bit daunting to read in one sitting.
  • The book can be a bit repetitive at times. Pollan repeats some of the same information over and over again.
  • The book is expensive. At $40, it’s a bit more expensive than some other cookbooks.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It’s a must-read for anyone who is interested in food, cooking, or the science of nutrition.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive and informative book about food, then “Mcgee On Food And Cooking” is the perfect choice for you. Pollan’s writing is clear, engaging, and well-researched. He covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of nutrition to the latest food trends. He also provides practical advice on how to cook healthy and delicious meals at home.

Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned pro, I highly recommend this book. It’s a valuable resource that will teach you everything you need to know about food.

Author Profile

Holly Bell
Holly Bell
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.

I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.

I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.

Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.

As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.

I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.

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