The Kitchen Whisperers: Cooking with the Wisdom of Our Friends

Kalins (The Gramercy Tavern Cookbook), founding editor of Saveur magazine, reflects on the cooks and chefs whose “generous lessons” enriched her love of food in this meditative memoir. Though she offers a smattering of recipes and menus, Kalins’s focus is on culinary moments that made a lasting impact on her. Given her stature in the food world, her “kitchen whisperers” include notable chefs such as French Laundry’s onetime owner, Sally Schmitt—whose apple peeling method is superior to all others—Canal House’s Christopher Hirsheimer (“my culinary North Star”), and Michael Anthony, the Michelin-starred chef who “encouraged me to pickle practically anything.” But Kalins isn’t about name-dropping: she remembers a family friend from her childhood days who taught her that food should not only taste good but look good; gives a loving nod to her son, Lincoln, whose voice is in her head every time she juices a lemon; and cherishes the chipped slotted spoon from her late mother-in-law, a sentimental reminder that “the things we cook with matter.” While each memory is a pleasure to savor, what resonates most is the how these stories will inspire readers to take stock and appreciate their own whisperers. Food lovers will want to devour this one slowly. Agent: David Black, David Black Literary. (Sept.)