"IF THERE IS ANY REAL SIN IN THE CULINARY UNIVERSE, IT IS THE SIN OF SNOBBERY": INSCRIBED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN

BOURDAIN, Anthony; MEIRELLES, Jose de; LAJAUNIE, Philippe. Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook. (New York): Bloomsbury, (2004). Quarto, original burgundy paper boards, original dust jacket. $2200.

First edition of the chef, author and travel documentarian's Les Halles Cookbook, detailing techniques of more than 100 recipes for fundamental French dishes from soup au vin to foie de veau Lyonnaise, boldly inscribed on the title page by Bourdain: "To Elizabeth, cooks RULE!" with a kitchen knife drawn below the title.

With an introduction by Bourdain as well as an essay detailing his relationship with the now-closed New York French brasserie-style restaurant Les Halles, where he first established himself as executive chef in 1998. The classic bistro recipes are illustrated throughout with color and black-and-white photos and followed by a glossary of French culinary terminology, the whole accented by Bourdain's deadpan humor—"even though many of the dishes can be found in other cookbooks, what sets this one apart is Bourdain's signature wise-ass attitude that pervades nearly every recipe, explanatory note and chapter introduction" (Publishers Weekly). Also published the same year in London.

Pages clean, upper edges with very faint toning, text block edge with small stain extending onto rear jacket flap; front board with two small scuffs, upper outer corner bumped. Dust jacket near-fine. An extremely good inscribed copy.