I love to cook and Michael Chiarello is one of my Favorite chefs. His book BOTTEGA Bold Italian Flavors from the Heart Of California's Wine Country .Is one of my favorite cookbooks.This cookbook reads like a story, it is easy to follow and the recipes are terrific. He tells you how to make things like Creme Fraiche, that you can buy in the grocery and it will be much more expensive , then if you actually do it yourself and it is so easy to do.I found some of the ingredients hard to find in the midwest though you can order the ingredients online.Every recipe I have cooked and you will die to have the Strawberry Tiramisu Semifreddo which is Divine.