What Einstein Told His Cook

Kitchen Science Explained

By: Robert L. Wolke

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Why is red meat red? How do they decaffeinate coffee? Do you wish you understood the science of food but don't want to plow through dry, technical books? In What Einstein Told His Cook, University of Pittsburgh chemistry professor emeritus and award-winning Washington Post food columnist Robert L. Wolke provides reliable and witty explanations for your most burning food questions, while debunking misconceptions and helping you interpret confusing advertising and labeling. A finalist for both the James Beard Foundation and IACP Awards for best food reference, What Einstein Told His Cook engages cooks and chemists alike.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2002 Robert L. Wolke (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"With its zest for the truth, this book will help cooks learn how to make more intelligent choices." ( Publishers Weekly)

For the kitchen nerd with a sense of humor. An absorbing read. ( Food & Wine)

Wolke...is one of the great demystifiers of scientific information. ( BusinessWeek)

An unexpected treat!

At first this seamed an odd book, but it didn't long to hook me. The author knows a lot about food and science, and in this compendium he make learning fun, fun, fun! Maybe I'll have to try cooking some day :-)

Cooking from a different perspective

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I certainly would! It's very interesting for almost all people that do some cooking or like food.

Would you recommend What Einstein Told His Cook to your friends? Why or why not?

Cooking is chemistry and that's cool, but it can also remove som of the magic surrounding food and cooking!

Have you listened to any of Sean Runnette???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

-

Excellent read!

What did you like best about this story?

This story was designed for a science geek like me. Every one of the explanations was informative and entertaining.

What about Sean Runnette’s performance did you like?

His humorous edge made the book enjoyable.

If you could give What Einstein Told His Cook a new subtitle, what would it be?

What you always thought you knew about food.

I loved this book (and I am not a cook)

Would you consider the audio edition of What Einstein Told His Cook to be better than the print version?

YES! The narrator sounded like I imagined the author--funny, wry, captivating. For sure it made the story come alive in a way that I would not have enjoyed a print version.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Making the science of food and cooking simple and compelling.

Have you listened to any of Sean Runnette’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't think I have heard him narrate before.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No but parts made me laugh.

Any additional comments?

I got this in an Audible "sale"--it is not a book I would otherwise buy but I loved it so much that I bought all of the author's other books.

Love this book!

If you could sum up What Einstein Told His Cook in three words, what would they be?

Informative, entertaining, enlightening.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No characters

Which character – as performed by Sean Runnette – was your favorite?

No characters

If you could give What Einstein Told His Cook a new subtitle, what would it be?

What I wish I had known 40 years ago.

Any additional comments?

This book is just wonderful. It explains things in simple concepts.

Very informative and with a flair.

Would you consider the audio edition of What Einstein Told His Cook to be better than the print version?

I never read the printed version.

What other book might you compare What Einstein Told His Cook to and why?

None. This is the best.

Which scene was your favorite?

The part explaining pots and pans.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

N/A

Any additional comments?

None

Amazing what you think you know...

This was a fun listen, especially for a food-loving science geek. Along the journey, the author debunks old wives tales and "commonly-known" tidbits alike but never in a condescending way. Humor is always at the ready and I often came away thinking, wow, that's cool, never knew that. The structure is by way of answers to common questions like, "How does a microwave heat water"? Mostly things you think you already know but as I learned, not always so. I liked the narrator's pacing and delivery too. I'm inclined to check out other books by this writer.

For the scientific minded!

Starts rather drily-but stick with it-interesting and informative for the scientific minded cook. Good for long road trips-

If I could just remember all the advice!

Where does What Einstein Told His Cook rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Rather high. Not only is the information useful, but it comes in small enough chunks to make it a book that can be picked up and put down as time permits.

What did you like best about this story?

The useful advice that can be applied in my kitchen.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Microwave safety.

It was actually pretty interesting

If you ever wondered about how your microwave works or what the best way to liberate juice from a lemon check this book out. I learned way more that I planned on about what is in my kitchen and how I've been using it wrong. :)