The kitchen

Artist Eliasson wasn't planning on creating an amazing, collaborative vegetarian dining experience when he installed a kitchen in his Berlin architecture and design studio 13 years ago. What was supposed to be a simple source for lunches blossomed into an experience that incorporates and references its environment, a sumptuous blend of food and design elegantly displayed here. The design experience begins with the book's cover, a black-and-white image of team members sitting down to lunch, with only the food displayed in brilliant color. It's a theme that runs throughout the tome. From a food perspective, the book is an approachable compilation of vegetarian comfort food, sourced from chefs Asako Iwama and Lauren Maurer as well as employees. The team offers a sensible, approachable mix of everyday dishes (penne with ginger and tomatoes, chocolate hazelnut cookies, spinach and Parmesan polenta, massaman curry) that are well within the abilities of even novice cooks. These recipes are interspersed with images and dishes from various events held at the complex (often items that can be prepped ahead of time, such as flan with caramel sauce). Essays, photo montages, poems, and short vignettes highlight the team's green efforts, including composting, and offer tips on growing your own vegetables. This truly stunning effort is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.