The Genius of James Barber – His Best Recipies
March 19, 2009 by admin
Filed under Books, Featured Items
Click to Buy from Amazon
Distinguished fans pay tribute to a nationally beloved, culinary icon, with a mouth-watering collection of recipes.
We always knew James Barber played an important role in freeing us from our culinary hang-ups but it wasn’t until he passed away in 2007 that a truly astonishing outpouring of tributes from famous chefs and ordinary cooks alike made clear the full extent of his impact. For James didn’t just want to make us better cooks; he wanted to help us live better lives by getting intimate with the cooking side of ourselves. And if getting intimate with food led to other intimacies, so much the better! His approach to cooking was revolutionary in its simplicity and stands at the opposite end of the spectrum from the elitist “great chef” approach that makes most people feel they could never succeed in the kitchen. James loved one-pot cooking, using whatever was left on the shelf and still making a memorable feast. In this book some of his most distinguished fans get together to collect James’ greatest recipes, from Ginger Tea to Indonesian Fish, and talk about what his art meant to them.
I can’t believe that he’s gone…I have been suffering from insomnia for a while and watching the Urban Peasant show has been so soothing and making me feel hopeful. I just found out that James is in a better place. Good for him, and many many thanks from me
I found a signed copy of “Cooking for Two” in a second hand shop. It is my all time favorite- beat Madame Benoit! Tonight I made Pasta with Green Beans, Potatoes and Pesto. In the spirit of JB, I changed the recipe (yellow beans, just chopped the pesto ingredients). An unforgettable man, and an inspiration to improvise and have fun. I just found this site while googling for related info.
I’ll keep checking back.
I’ve been a huge fan of James and his Urban Peasant show for years. Sad to hear that he had passed away. Would love to see episodes of his show again. He had a wonderful way in the kitchen, making it look super easy. I’ll miss him. At least I have my Urban Peasant cookbook to console me.
I have loved James Barber since I was a kid in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, coming home from school to watch The Urban Peasant. When I moved away from home my mom gave me “Ginger Tea Makes Friends”, “Fear of Frying” and “Flash in the Pan”, and they were my first inspiration to learn to cook. Now I love cooking, and am considering culinary school, much of which I would have to credit to James. I wish I could have met him, but the fact that I am about to go on a camping trip in Australia and am basing the meals I plan to make on those three little books shows what an impact he had. Thank you to James Barber, a fantastic cook, amazing and hilarious writer, and comforting presence in all our lives, even now that he is gone.
I found someone who gave me hope , I felt I could cook for the first time in my life. When I found out James had passed away I was just heart sick. He make me laugh. James makes cooking a delight. I have all his cookbooks and would buy all his DVD’s on cooking, if there are any. He is so missed. I pray Ionlife keeps his show on a Million years, because my children and grandchildren love him too. Thanks James for making our lives complete in all our kitchens and around our dinning tables there is happiness. The Urban Peasant, How WOnderful,,