In Season: Culinary Adventures of a San Juan Island Chef

by Greg Atkinson

Cooking, like travel, is one of life's great adventures. Join Greg Atkinson, one of the Pacific Northwest's most heralded young chefs, on a gastonomic journey through the seasons as he explores the importance of good food in our everyday lives.

Genres: Cookbooks

Paperback

First published October 1, 1997

Reviews

[Beth Jusino · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up because it's Washington. I confess: I would probably like this book more if I liked fruit, which I understand is unusual, and makes the disconnect largely my own fault and not the author's. Atkinson has a charming book about living, raising a family, and (of course) cooking in the San Juan Islands, and I'm naturally drawn to everything about my adopted home state. His essays carry history and a celebration of home. I especially love his descriptions of a vicious nor'easter, and how the people of Friday Harbor reacted with enthusiasm to something out of the ordinary. And I love a good seasonal cookbook, and Atkinson makes me want to ditch the city and the guaranteed electricity and access to medical facilities and go live on a remote island. But yet, this is primarily a cookbook, and the food in this book just didn't connect with me. The choices seemed unnecessarily laborious (does anyone outside the restaurant industry really make caramel shapes to decorate their poached pears?). And then there was just a lot of fruit.

If you like berries and peaches and pears, then you'll probably find a lot here to love. If you're like me and don't, stick with the cookbooks from butchers and cheese makers.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Papa sent this book to me, unprovoked. Generally I don't like cookbooks that don't have pictures, so on initial flip I was unimpressed. I took a closer look, though, and realized that really it was a collection of short essays about food—in particular, the author's experiences, memories, and adventures with food in the Pacific Northwest, my home—punctuated with related recipes that highlight certain seasonal ingredients.

I tore through this thing.

I've gotta tell you, nothing has made me miss my home as much as this book. I can't even remember the last time I went to the San Juan Islands (certainly it's when I was a little kid), but the feeling is there. The book feels GREEN and alive and wonderful. It's a sweet culinary love letter. I look forward to making some of these recipes, but I've already lent the book to a friend.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a fellow studying health education and supporting himself as a cook in a Mexican restaurant marries a woman with a house on one of the San Juan Islands and gets a job cooking to support his family? If that someone is Greg Atkinson, he ends up as an island chef who does a tour in the kitchen at Canlis, and writes this book. The stories which he tells about raising his family on Friday Harbor, about growing and gathering food, and about his early attempts at cooking make this a most engaging, occasionally moving, book, as well as an excellent source of Pacific Northwest recipes.

[Marcia Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read for those who love to read a few recipes before bed. Full of anecdotes and recipes for the ordinary cook. Inspired me to add tarragon vinegar to my breakfast chard. Yummy!!!!

Also, the green pea salad recipe is a must-have. Going to check out all of his books.