One of the best parts of our brick and mortar location in Cambridge is the history that surrounds us. Our customers come into the store with stories about coming here when our building was a market or they used to work here when it was an architect’s office, it’s wonderful to hear the history of place. We also have lots of customers who came in with stories of luminaries – they were testers for Julia Child when she was writing books or they went to her home for dinner on more than one occasion. It’s lovely.

With that in mind we try to always have both Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol 1 & 2 on hand. They are lovely pieces of writing and infallible tomes of wisdom. I’m obsessed with them and love to pair a perusing of them with a reread of My Life In France or As Always, Julia for context. Julia Child will teach you the basics with elegant line drawings and easy to follow instructions – need to truss a chicken? There’s a picture of it to help.

Even if you’re not a cook you should read these books for gorgeous illustrations and engaging writing. they are books that talk to you like a friend sharing their favorite recipe. Everything is presented in an unpretentious and thoughtful way that is easily digestible and logically laid-out. A must read for any food aficionado and a must have for any home cook, because is their anything more magical than boeuf bourguignon on a cold winter night? My favorite recipes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking are Boeuf Bourguignon, Mayonnaise, Hollandaise, and Crepes.