There Is A Right Way, And A Wrong Way To Do Everything

Even if you don't own a larding needle, make puff pastry swans or make a cucumber into a turtle, Jacques' 800 plus page manifesto of cooking techniques is a great resource.  Pepin gives illustrated detailed directions for doing everything you can imagine in the kitchen, and a lot you can't (deep fried eggs for one).  Think you know your way around a kitchen?  Jacques will bring the smacques down hard on you and make you his bitch, I guarantee.