THE COUNTRY COOKING OF FRANCE by Anne Willan (Chronicle Books).

This big, beautiful, luscious cookbook will bring a little bit of France into your home. Written by Anne Willan—an award-winning cooking teacher, food writer, and the author of more than 30 cookbooks—this book is winning over the hearts (and stomachs) of everyone who reads it…

* A New York Times Notable Cookbook
* A USA Today Gift Guide pick
* A top cookbook in the December 2007 issue of Bon Appetit

Want to know more?
* Watch a video about the making of this book.
* Try a recipe from the book: Potato cake with cheese and bacon

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CRUST: a book and DVD by Richard Bertinet (Kyle Cathie Ltd).

Richard Bertinet’s last book, DOUGH won the Julia Child Award for First Book, the IACP Best Cookbook of the Year award, a Guild of Food Writers’ award and a James Beard Foundation award.

Now he’s back with CRUST, a guide to making more delicious breads, from sourdough, to croissants, to brioche. CRUST is also packed with stunning photos and a 30-minute DVD that gives additional guidance on techniques as well as showing recipes step-by-step.

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MY LAST SUPPER: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals: Portraits, Interviews, and Recipes by Melanie Dunea (Bloomsbury USA).

If you were to die tomorrow, what would be your last meal? Who would prepare it? Where would it take place? Who would sit with you at the table? This is a game that chefs have been playing amongst themselves for decades. MY LAST SUPPER pairs famous chef’s dream meals with Vanity Fair-style portraits (just wait till you see the photo of Anthony Bourdain...)

* Read the review in The New Yorker.

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NO RESERVATIONS: Around the World on an Empty Stomach by Anthony Bourdain (Bloomsbury USA).

Speaking of Anthony Bourdain… NO RESERVATIONS is Anthony Bourdain’s uncensored journal of his travels for his Travel Channel show, No Reservations. Where can you get good fatty crab in Rangoon? How do you tell a Frenchman his baguette is invading your personal space?

* Listen to Raincoast’s podcasts with Anthony Bourdain (recorded for his previous book, THE NASTY BITS): Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

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Still hungry for more books? Click here for more Raincoast Gift Guides.