Good eats 4 The final years

Although the popular TV show Good Eats may be ending (note "Final" in the book title), host Brown has put out another cookbook in his series based on the beloved show. In this volume he covers recipes cooked on Good Eats Reloaded and Good Eats, The Return, plus a bonus section from Good Eats, The Lost Season. The TV show, equal parts Julia Child and Mister Wizard with a generous scoop of Monty Python thrown in, has made understanding the science of cooking an entertaining enterprise and Brown's relaxed and inviting tone is evident throughout the book. Included are straightforward culinary science details and easy to follow recipes with plenty of pictures from the show (even backstage shots). The recipes follow the episodes' order so there's a little of everything a range of cooks might need: seasoning a cast iron pan; perfecting a patty melt; working with flatbreads; churning ice cream. The recipes are geared to everyday home cooks with lots of sidebars and no technical jargon. The intent is to explain concepts so readers understand exactly how cooking works. VERDICT Fans of the show and its host, as well as those interested in the science of cooking, will find joy in this laid-back offering.--Ginny Wolter