The Wizard of the Kitchen

No doubt, if Iwan Kriens had lived in our century he would have been a member of the jury in Master Chef or may even have had his own TV Show. For Iwan Kriens was knowledgeable, charismatic, amiable, and not afraid to speak his mind.As a headmaster of the very first government-funded Hotel and Restaurant School where young boys were trained to be chefs and waiters, Dutch-born Iwan Kriens (1871-1957) laid the foundation for high-quality cookery education in Great Britain and helped to change the professional and social cookery culture in Britain a hundred years ago.Passionately campaigning the importance of good and healthy food, Iwan Kriens was ahead of his time. During the Great War, the Dutch chef was given a nickname, the wizard of the kitchen because he knew how to prepare tasty and nutritious meals with scarce products and alternative foods. A number of these wartime recipes are included in this biography, innovative, easy to make and simply delicious. Also in peacetime.A charming book about a remarkable chef, which gives an interesting and amusing insight into a little piece of English culinary history.