Composed around 12 recipes that define his career thus far, celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s memoir-cookbook hybrid, JGV: A Life in 12 Recipes, traces his steps from trainee to world-renowned restaurateur. Insightful, humorous and delightfully warm, the book—which includes personal photography and hand-drawn sketches—caters to fans of Vongerichten’s cuisine, and anyone curious about his imagination and Michelin-starred ascent.
Spicy, smoky and funky—this sambal-inspired hot sauce is a collaboration between chef Edward Lee and Bourbon Barrel Foods. With a base of fermented chili bean paste, the sauce is then blended with fish and soy sauce providing an umami kick. The result combines flavors from Southeast Asia and the American South for something quite special.
Browsing the thousands of stories we published on COOL HUNTING this year, in search of personal favorites, would present many problems if the very process of writing didn’t lend itself to favoritism. When asked what we’d recommend reading, we on staff already knew the many answers. That’s because the selections below represent experiences we had with people, places and brands that left a longstanding impact. …