Born a slave in 1857, Rufus Estes worked his way up from a Pullman Private Car attendant to a job preparing meals for the top brass at one of the country's largest steel corporations. This cookbook, the first to be written and published by a black chef, includes a number of dishes from Estes' vast culinary collection. Commenting briefly on his Southern childhood and early years as a railway attendant, Estes goes on to offer simple instructions for preparing such standard fare as fried chicken, beef roast, and glazed carrots. But the heart of the book lies in mouth-watering recipes for dishes rarely found in contemporary cookbooks -- among them Creole-style chicken gumbo, chestnut stuffing with truffles, cherry dumplings, and southern-style waffles. Nearly 600 recipes -- from haute cuisine to family-style meals -- are included. Sure to intrigue food enthusiasts and collectors of old cookbooks, Rufus Estes' Good Things to Eat will also appeal to anyone interested in the African-American experience.
The cookbooks was very interesting. i found receipes that my grandmother used many years ago when i was a small child. Good Eats and flavorful dishes too!
Must Have!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
It is an honor for me to purchase a cookbook written by the first published African American chef. I am looking forward to duplicating the dishes... He made it so easy to follow so anyone can do this.
History through a cookbook
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
This is more than a cookbook (because most recipes you can't recreate), it is a historical account of life as a slave cook.
It's refreshing to read a title from the past
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
Dover Publications has reprinted Rufus Estes' Good Things to Eat: The First Cookbook by an African-American Chef, the first cookbook by an Afro-American chef, returning this time-lost 1911 culinary classic to print. It's refreshing to read a title from the past which doesn't skimp on the lard or the fats, and intriguing to read about Estes' Southern childhood and early years as a railway attendant, while the easy recipes for Baked Milk (an early form of custard), or Parsnip Fritters.
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