The personal journey of one of the most respected chefs in the country. “The life lessons here are even better than the passel of recipes.” —Andrew Zimmern, Travel Channel

Featuring more than eighty recipes and full-color photography throughout, Good Stock weaves together memoir and cookbook in a beautiful and engaging package. It is the story of Sanford D’Amato’s journey from young Italian kid who loved to cook to unknown culinary student with a passion for classical French cuisine to a James Beard Award–winning chef and restaurateur. Through D’Amato’s experience opening Sanford, one of the highest-rated restaurants in America over the past twenty years, Good Stock also tells the tale of America’s embrace of fine dining and its acceptance of chefs as master craftsmen.

Readers of Good Stock will come to believe, as D’Amato does, that to create great food, it doesn’t matter if you’re preparing a grilled hot dog or pan-roasted monkfish—what matters is that you treat all dishes with equal love, soul, and respect, and try to elevate each dish to its ultimate level of flavor. Good Stock combines Midwestern charm with international appeal as the perfect book for aspiring chefs, culinary students, and foodies everywhere.

“If you are going to get one cookbook this year, get this one. If you are going to read one memoir this year, read this one . . . a full measure of his wit and love for food and people.” —Janos Wilder, James Beard Award–winning chef

“D’Amato is able to make these recipes meaningful to the reader. The result is a warm, compelling memoir that will bubble over into home kitchens everywhere.” —Isthmus