Innovative ... even as she probes obscure details, Ms. Linford never loses her infectious, chatty voice ... There are plenty of other sources to consult if you are looking for practical cooking instructions. For curious cooks, The Missing Ingredient offers a unique perspective on how food is produced. Paging through the book is time well spent.
Clever and original ... an eloquent plea to see the creation and consumption of good food as something more than an annoying interruption ... a quietly brilliant and original idea for a book. A thoughtful food writer who deserves to be better known ... [a] gentle book.
Engaging ... a structure that encourages cover-to-cover reading ... the sort of offering that will ensnare browsers and prove irresistible to chefs and foodies.
Interesting and clever ... The Missing Ingredient is the result of a great deal of research; it’s also the product of a 25-year career in food writing, something you feel on every page. Yet its arrival couldn’t be more timely.
While the organization seems logical, it turns out to be a rather loose thread that holds the book together. Unless it is read in small chunks, it can feel both overwhelming and all over the map—and even sometimes repetitive. Still, The Missing Ingredient is thoroughly researched with plenty of fascinating food revelations for the curious cook to enjoy.
