Book tip of the week: Vegetarian

The great cookbook by Paul Ivic
© DK Verlag / Ingo Pertramer
© DK Verlag / Ingo Pertramer
24. February 2025

 | Editorial team

Paul Ivic, the celebrated chef of Vienna’s Michelin-starred restaurant TIAN, has created a true masterpiece of vegetarian cuisine with his book “Vegetarian – The Great Cookbook”. The book is not just a collection of 300 recipes suitable for everyday use, but rather a declaration of love for the versatility of vegetables and the art of preparing them at the highest level.

The book is divided into clearly structured chapters, ranging from product knowledge to techniques and recipes. Ivic provides a comprehensive insight into the world of vegetable ingredients, from well-known classics to less common vegetables. Particularly impressive is the ‘leaf to root’ philosophy, which not only promotes waste avoidance but also conveys respect for the whole plant.

The recipes, such as an iced bell pepper soup or braised pointed cabbage, impress with their simplicity and sophistication at the same time. Ivic shows that vegetarian dishes don’t just have to be side dishes, but can be the main protagonists on the plate. He attaches great importance to sustainability and regionality, which is a recurring theme throughout the book.

In addition to the content, the book is also visually and haptically impressive. The photographs by Ingo Pertramer give the recipes an aesthetic depth that makes you want to cook them again. The elegant cover with ribbon marker underlines the high-quality character of this book and makes it a real gem in any kitchen.

Info:
DK Publishing House
ISBN 978-3-8310-4651-5
400 pages

The importance of a vegetarian diet

A vegetarian diet has numerous benefits – both for your own health and for the environment. Numerous studies have shown that avoiding meat can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. The high proportion of vegetables, pulses, wholegrain products and nuts ensures a balanced supply of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

In addition, a plant-based diet makes a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as the production of animal-based foods – especially meat – is extremely resource-intensive. Every step towards more plant-based meals is a step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Paul Ivic's work makes an important contribution here by showing how delicious and creative vegetarian dishes can be – and that enjoyment and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Our conclusion

“Vegetarian – The Great Cookbook” is more than just a recipe book; it is a source of inspiration for anyone who wants to eat more consciously. Ivic's expertise and passion make this book an indispensable standard work that appeals to beginners and experienced amateur cooks alike. The mixture of product knowledge, professional knowledge and creative recipes offers invaluable added value – both for the kitchen and for a more sustainable life.

A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît! A la table, s'il vous plaît!
Copyright for the featured images used:
© DK Verlag / Ingo Pertramer

Taste of Tomorrow 2025 – powered by Chefs Culinar

New competition, strong talents – the finalists have been chosen

For the kitchens. For the future. For the industry. Taste of Tomorrow is the new competition for young talent that will bring young culinary talents from several countries to the big stage in 2025. After a multi-stage selection process, the eight finalists have been chosen.

Book tip of the week: Taste. My Life for Cooking and Filming

When food becomes biography

With Taste: My Life in the Kitchen and on Camera, Stanley Tucci delivers much more than a culinary autobiography. This book is a subtle, intelligent reflection on life, told through the prism of food. Between film sets and family kitchens, between Meryl Streep and Nonna Tucci, a mosaic of anecdotes, memories, dishes, and deep insights emerges – sometimes humorous, sometimes touching, always with genuine flavor.

We didn’t just read Taste – we lived it. Tucci succeeds in presenting cuisine as the language of life: how much it shapes us, connects us, comforts us – and even brings us back to life when we lose our taste for it, as in his own battle with cancer.

In addition to lovingly told family stories, he makes us smile with anecdotes about cooking with celebrities or his ironic take on his own Italian cliché. The recipes scattered throughout – some traditional, some surprisingly modern – make the book not a classic cookbook, but a very personal culinary reader.

INFO:

Stanley Tucci: TASTE. My Life Through Food and Film
First German edition (original title: Taste. My Life Through Food)
Translation: Steffen Jacobs
Publisher: Arche Literatur Verlag
320 pages
ISBN: 978-3-7160-2813-1
Price: €25.00 [D] | €25.70 [A] | also available as an
e-book
Publication date: February 2023

Book tip of the week: Gastro Management

This practical guide belongs on the desk of every catering professional

We have read many specialist books on restaurant management, but rarely one that is as compact and practical as “Gastro Management: A Practical Guide for Ambitious Hosts.” We were particularly impressed by the clear structure in eight thematic “courses”—this makes the book not only readable but also logically comprehensible.

What makes this book really strong is that it speaks the language of practice. Whether it’s costing, personnel management, or process design, there’s no beating around the bush here; instead, you’re given tools that you can apply directly in your business. And the QR codes with additional videos? A real added value for anyone who thinks visually and likes to delve deeper into content.

Info:
Gastro-Management. A practical guide for ambitious hosts
Authors: Prof. Dr. Torsten Olderog, Paul Olderog, Julia-Marie Welker
Publisher: Deutscher Fachverlag GmbH
170 pages
ISBN: 978-3-86641-362-7
Price: €38
Publication date: March 2025

quick & dirty
© DK Publishing House
Book tip of the week: Vegetarian

Paul Ivic, the celebrated chef of Vienna’s Michelin-starred restaurant TIAN, has created a true masterpiece of vegetarian cuisine with his book “Vegetarian – The Great Cookbook”. The book is not just a collection of 300 recipes suitable for everyday use, but rather a declaration of love for the versatility of vegetables and the art of preparing them at the highest level.

The book is divided into clearly structured chapters, ranging from product knowledge to techniques and recipes. Ivic provides a comprehensive insight into the world of vegetable ingredients, from well-known classics to less common vegetables. Particularly impressive is the ‘leaf to root’ philosophy, which not only promotes waste avoidance but also conveys respect for the whole plant.

The recipes, such as an iced bell pepper soup or braised pointed cabbage, impress with their simplicity and sophistication at the same time. Ivic shows that vegetarian dishes don’t just have to be side dishes, but can be the main protagonists on the plate. He attaches great importance to sustainability and regionality, which is a recurring theme throughout the book.

In addition to the content, the book is also visually and haptically impressive. The photographs by Ingo Pertramer give the recipes an aesthetic depth that makes you want to cook them again. The elegant cover with ribbon marker underlines the high-quality character of this book and makes it a real gem in any kitchen.

Info:
DK Publishing House
ISBN 978-3-8310-4651-5
400 pages