The Silver Spoon

Author: Phaidon Press  

List Price: $39.95

Pages: 1264

Publisher: Phaidon Press; US Edition edition (October 1, 2005)

Dimensions: 10.8 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches

ISBN: 0714845310  

The Silver Spoon is the most influential¹ and successful cookbook in Italy. Originally published in 1950, it became an instant classic. Considered to be essential in every household, it is still one of the most popular wedding presents today.

The Silver Spoon was conceived and published by Domus, the design and architectural magazine famously directed by Giò Ponti from the 1920s to the 1970s. A group of cooking experts was commissioned to collect hundreds of traditional recipes from the different Italian regions and make them available for the first time to a wider audience. In the process, they updated ingredients, quantities and methods to suit contemporary tastes and customs, at the same time preserving the memory of ancient recipes for future generations. They also included modern recipes from some of the most famous Italian chefs, resulting in a style of cooking that appeals to the gourmet² as well as the occasional cook.
A comprehensive and lively book, its simple and user-friendly format³ makes it both accessible and a pleasure to read. It provides an introduction to every course, and an explanation of the main type of ingredients. Never translated before, The Silver Spoon has now been adapted to an international market, with every recipe checked for suitability, measurements converted and methods rewritten to accommodate cultural differences, yet maintaining the authenticity⁵ of real Italian cooking.

The new layout emphasizes its contemporary appeal and the colour coding of each section simplifies the process of cross-referencing ingredients and methods. A section with original menus from the 15 most famous Italian chefs of the last 50 years has been expanded to include original menus from Italian celebrity⁶ chefs working outside Italy.

This is a substantial and prestigious⁷ cookbook that will share the bookshelves with other titles such as The Joy of Cooking and Larousse Gastronomique, another classic of national cuisine⁸. With over 2,000 recipes illustrated⁹ with specially¹⁰ commissioned artwork and photography, the book is destined¹¹ to become a classic in the Italian cooking booklist for the international market.

Book review

This book is a big help. Comprehensive and lively, the simple, user-friendly format makes it both accessible and a pleasure to read. It provides an introduction to every course, and an explanation of the main type of ingredients. Every recipe I've used has been suitable, with good measurements, and the maintenance of real, authentic⁴ Italian cooking.

The layout emphasises a contemporary appeal, similar to other cookbooks I've purchased recently. Each section is color coded to simplify the process of cross-referencing ingredients and methods. A section with original menus from the 15 most famous Italian chefs of the last 50 years and Italian celebrity chefs working outside Italy.

I think this book, with time, could be considered on par¹² with other important titles, such as The Joy of Cooking and Larousse Gastronomique. It has over 2,000 recipes and is illustrated with drawings and photography.

Author introduction

The Silver Spoon was conceived and published by Domus, the design and architectural magazine famously directed by Giò Ponti from the 1920s to the 1970s. A group of cooking experts was commissioned to collect hundreds of traditional recipes from the different Italian regions and make them available for the first time to a wider audience.