“How to Cook: Building Blocks and 100 Simple Recipes for a Lifetime of Meals: A Cookbook” is a new recipe book by Canadian-born Chef Hugh Acheson.
Concern for the well-being and independence of his teenage daughters became the basis for this book of building blocks and recipes for a lifetime of meals.
On top of being a self-taught chef, Acheson was a judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef”: Seasons 9-13, as well as “Top Chef: Duels.” He also owns three restaurants in Georgia: Five & Ten in Athens, Empire State South and by George in Atlanta.
He joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to discuss the new cookbook.
Acheson will be hosting a delicious virtual cooking class, which will benefit the Atlanta Music Project, on at 6 p.m. Nov. 15.
Interview Highlights
Why he created “How to Cook”:
“You know, I started writing a list for my kids about 10 years ago and this is a small itemizing of it. It’s just mantras for living. It’s ways to think about the world. I want them to look through the prism of the good that I’ve figured out in this life so far, and I just want to give them a helping hand on how to be an inclusive member of a community and a family. I think it’s just important to remind them of about where the goodness is in the world.”
A variety of topics the cookbook covers:
“Tip well. You know, salt is a flavor enhancer, so is MSG. There’s nothing wrong with either of them in moderation. Don’t grocery shop while hungry. It’s things that our parents taught us, but sometimes these things need to be written down so we remember.”
