Baking Boot Camp: Five Days at Basic Training at the Culinary Institute of America

by The Culinary Institute of America, Darra Goldstein

The Culinary Institute of America's tremendously popular Boot Camp courses help food and baking enthusiasts take their skills to a whole new level, offering hands-on, intensive instruction with some of the world's most talented chef-instructors. In Baking Boot Camp , Julia Child Award-winning cookbook author Darra Goldstein takes you along as she embarks on two demanding Boot Camp courses, Baking and Pastry, where the fatigues are chef's whites and the weapons of choice are whisks, piping bags, and a bench scraper. Goldstein chronicles progress through each day of each course, bringing to life the intensity, the rigor, and the camaraderie that set Boot Camps apart from other cooking classes. Along the way, she reveals the tips and tricks of baking and pastry pros, sharing their fascinating insights with us on everything from the importance of weighing all ingredients to the secrets of perfect puff pastry. Throughout the book, more than 100 photographs by award-winning photographer Ben Fink vividly capture the excitement of the program. Learn alongside Goldstein and her fellow students as they watch demonstrations, practice new skills, and receive critiques from their exacting instructors. You'll discover the hands-on skills and secrets you need to perfect your cookies, pies, cakes, and breads, as you build the know-how and confidence to tackle more demanding creations such as profiteroles, eclairs, mousses, and souffles. To help you put these lessons to work in your own kitchen, the book includes nearly eighty delicious Boot Camp recipes - everything you need to start using professional techniques and embark on a lifetime of baking success.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Food, Cooking

276 pages, Hardcover

First published February 9, 2007

Reviews

[Turi Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was at Barnes and Noble the other day for something completely different, and ended up chasing Sofia around the store. On one of our passed in the baking section, this caught my eye: Baking Boot Camp, by Darra Goldstein. Having dreamed myself about taking one of the Culinary Institute of America's "boot camp" courses (but also been scared away by the price) I had to have this book. Glad I did. Goldstein does a good job not only of portraying what it's like to attend one of the boot cam courses (two, actually, the baking boot camp and the pastry boot camp) but also imparts quite a bit of the culinary wisdom that was passed along to her. If attending one of these courses sounds like fun, but you don't have the time or the money, take a look at this book. It made me want to cook something right away. In fact, I made the Pots de creme recipe tonight - it was a little different than the one I've made before, but sure tasted wonderful.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the movies, sequels are always a risky proposition. I felt compelled to read Darra Goldstein's account of her two tours (five days each) through Baking Boot Camp and Pastry Boot Camp at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. After reading Martha Rose Shulman's "Culinary Boot Camp: Five Days of Basic Training at The Culinary Institute of America (2006)," this sequel was a must. Goldstein is an excellent writer; as the editor of Gastronomica: The Journal of Food and Culture. Her narrative of her time at the Hyde Park campus was insightful and enjoyable. The real treasure is in the many recipes provided at the end of the story. These are scaled-down versions of the same recipes which the CIA teaches its students. While I am an ardent believer in "Baking Illustrated" from the editors of Cooks Illustrated and "Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook," these CIA recipes are a valuable addition to my culinary library.

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well done book,that's not steller,and although it involves a narrative,it annoyingly is remis in "Pictures of the Narrator,or any real information about the Narrator..that's just fucking stupid..so..
I wouldn't say this is a classic..however..it has some Great Recipies..so buy it when it comes out as a trade paperback.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative part of the book is great, but it is disappointing that the recipes aren't in weight measurement.

[Stell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I can't afford the $2,000 US for this boot camp @ CIA, I'll have to live vicariously through it. :(

[Gaile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this as well as trying the recipes

[Gina]

Flagged: p. 27,45, 174, 186, 194

Alot of Recipes To Try

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and science of baking is discussed in detail with many pictures. A variety of recipes for baked goods and deserts are give. The book is based on training at the Culinary Institute of America.

[Flea · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring book, but totally hot chick on the cover

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book, has tons of information and great recipes