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.