The Escoffier Cookbook Value Guide

The 1989 Crown Publishers edition of The Escoffier Cookbook is a vital American reprint of the 1903 masterpiece Le Guide Culinaire. It remains highly collectible as the definitive reference for the five mother sauces and the professional kitchen brigade system established by Auguste Escoffier.

What affects the value of The Escoffier Cookbook?

• The presence and condition of the original dust jacket significantly impacts the $20-$22 market price.
• Overall structural integrity, specifically the tightness of the binding given its heavy use in professional kitchens.
• Absence of kitchen-related damage such as oil stains, water marks, or handwritten culinary notes.
• The edition's status as a 'Crown Classic' reprint which is favored by culinary students for its durability.

How to Identify The Escoffier Cookbook?

• Verify the publisher is Crown Publishers, Inc. with a 1989 copyright date.
• Check for the distinctive dust jacket often featuring classic culinary imagery or professional typography.
• Confirm the inclusion of over 2,500 recipes ranging from basic stocks to complex French haute cuisine.
• Look for the ISBN-10: 0517506629 to ensure it is the correct American hardback printing.

History of The Escoffier Cookbook

Originally published in 1903 as Le Guide Culinaire, this book remains the definitive reference for French haute cuisine. Auguste Escoffier, known as the king of chefs and the chef of kings, revolutionized professional kitchens by introducing the brigade system and codifying the five mother sauces. This specific edition is a 1989 Crown Publishers reprint which remains a staple for culinary students and professionals worldwide.