 TM
KEEP THEM BAREFOOT
AND HAIRY IN THE KITCHEN Surrey Books to reissue new edition the 1950s� icon Fifty years is a long time to be out of circulation. Particularly for a swinging little cookbook like Wolf in Chef�s Clothing: The Picture Cook and Drink Book for Men. While this Canis lupus culinarius might be looking a little long in the tooth, he certainly hasn�t lost his charms, which is why Surrey Books has opted to reissue this hilarious Fifties classic. Originally created by Robert H. Loeb, Jr., Esquire magazine�s food and drink editor, Wolf in Chef�s Clothing was designed to teach kitchen-clueless men foolproof ways to prepare enticing meals. As written in the original 1950 edition, �Wolf in Chef�s Clothing is guaranteed to emancipate the male from the role of refrigerator vulture, icebox scavenger, and parasitic gourmet forced to feed on leftovers of female cookery.� In fact, these recipes are so simple they barely need words. The author and the artist Jim Newhall believed that since the average man could follow step-by-step illustrations to construct just about anything, he could learn to cook the same way. The book�s chef-instructor, a cartoon wolf with a frying pan in one hand and a cocktail shaker in the other, is a real he-man when it comes to meat. He attacks Steak Dinah, Chop-Chops, Lamb Steak Figaro, Dinner Wienies and 4-Alarm Chicken with relish. But the Wolf has a gentler side too. He�ll open a meal with Strawberry Loving Cup or a plateful of Shrimpatizers and end it with flaming Crepes Suzette. Ever the perfect host, the Wolf is a master mixologist. More than 30 pages are devoted to recipes for the swankiest cocktails of the day. Rob Roy, Bluebell, French �75�, Martini Esoterica and more are copiously illustrated with minimal instructions, including notes on whether to sip or guzzle the concoction. Chicago-based publisher Surrey Books, Inc. has republished Wolf in Chef�s Clothing with its original text, and original cartoon illustrations by James W. Newhall, who was the art director of a Chicago advertising agency. The four-color book has been reprinted six times since its original publication, was revised in 1958, and was published again in a British edition in 1968 by Collins Publishers. Both the author and illustrator are deceased. �This book is a charming piece of nostalgia, recalling the post-War days when gender roles were clearly defined, and domestic bliss could be achieved with a homemade supper and a dry Martini,� says Susan Schwartz, Surrey Books� publisher. �It�s a great gift idea for someone who appreciates a witty and droll glimpse of a bygone era.� Available in bookstores Wolf in Chef�s Clothing retails for $16.95. Edited by Kerry Cohen Back to TravelLady Magazine |