The Complete Book of Kitchen Collecting by Barbara E. Mauzy

The Complete Book of Kitchen Collecting
by Barbara E. Mauzy [683.82 qMau]

This is technically a price guide of hand-driven (non-electric) kitchen gadgets and kitchen items of the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, but with lots of photos to browse and reminisce over.
The author covers salt and pepper shakers, mixing bowls, butter dishes, (egg) beaters, ricers, cake savers, rolling pins, ice picks, potato mashers (39 pages of potato mashers), scoops, sifters, and garnishing tools just to name a few.

Each chapter begins with a short history and use of the item, sometimes info about the handle color and how value is determined. Color photos accompany each item along with a listing of the manufacturer, a short description, and approximate value.

I had a good time looking through the photos and inflicting them upon my coworkers with “I have that!” or “Grandma had that!” Sadly, I also found a few items I can’t live without, and will be pursuing at the local antique shops.

[ Today’s Pleasures, Tomorrow’s Treasures — Barbara E. Mauzy’s ebay page ]

Recommended by Charlotte M.
Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewers recommendations!

The Essential Kitchen: Basic Tools, Recipes and Tips for a Complete Kitchen

The Essential Kitchen: Basic Tools, Recipes and Tips for a Complete Kitchen

by Christine McFadden [643.3 qMcF]

A fun reference guide of kitchen tools and gadgets. Contains color photos and descriptions of nearly every kitchen item imaginable sorted into categories by chapter (Cutting, Peeling, and Piercing; Mixing and Whisking; Frying, Grilling, and Broiling, etc). This also helps in identifying that kitchen thing from Grandma that you haven't figured out what it does, and now you know how indispensible it is! Unfortunately, this also triggers your gadget-buying reflex. Provides excellent guidance on pots and pans, the type and purpose of various knives, gives specific info on types of utensils, equipment, uses, and brands. The author is upfront about what's necessary and what's a luxury. Also included in each chapter are recipes that utilize the tools discussed. Also provided is a list of manufacturers and distributors. An enjoyable browse as well as a must-have reference. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Alton's Brown's Gear for Your Kitchen by Alton Brown.] -- recommended by Charlotte K. - Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide

website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month.