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30 Absolutely Indispensable Items for Foodies: an Amazingly Idiosyncratic List

Canton Public Library is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. To celebrate, we're making 30-item lists of interesting facts and links. For food lovers, here's a list of great gastronomical texts:

Patricia Wells' trattoria: simple and robust fare inspired by the small family restaurants of Italy by Patricia Wells

The art of simple foods: notes, lessons, and recipes from a delicious revolution by Alice Waters, with Patricia Curtan...et al; illustrations by Patricia Curtan

Vegetarian cooking for everyone by Deborah Madison; [photographs by Laurie Smith]

Barefoot Contessa at home: everyday recipes you'll make over and over again by Ina Garten; photographs by Quentin Bacon

Joy of cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, and Ethan Becker; illustrated by Laura Hartman Maestro

Betty Crocker cookie book by Crocker, Betty

Visions of sugarplums: a cookbook of cakes, cookies, candies & confections from all the countries that celebrate Christmas by Mimi Sheraton; ill. by Pat Stewart

Not your mother's weeknight cooking: quick and easy wholesome homemade dinners by Beth Hensperger

Better Homes and Gardens new cook book

Tender at the bone: growing up at the table by Ruth Reichl

The man who ate everything: and other gastronomic feats, disputes, and pleasurable pursuits by Jeffrey Steingarten

Cooking for Mr. Latte: a food lover's courtship, with recipes by Amanda Hesser; illustrations by Izak

Mastering the art of French cooking. Volume 1 by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck; illustrations by Sidonie Coryn

The gallery of regrettable food by James Lileks

A piece of cake by Susan G. Purdy; illustrated by Susan Martin

A new way to cook by Sally Schneider; Maria Robledo, photographs

Mes confitures: the jams and jellies of Christine Ferber by Christine Ferber; translated by Virginia R. Phillips

Baking illustrated: a best recipe classic by the editors of Cook's illustrated; illustrations, John Burgoyne; photography, Carl Tremblay , Keller + Keller, Daniel Van Ackere

Italian baking secrets by Giuseppe Orsini

The King Arthur Flour baker's companion: the all-purpose baking cookbook

Maida Heatter's brand-new book of great cookies by Maida Heatter

The French chef with Julia Child [videodisc] by produced by Russell Morash or Ruth Lockwood; directed by Russell Morash, David B. Atwood, Russell Fortier or David Griffiths