“It’s my belief that cooking is a craft. I think that you can push it into the realm of art, but it starts with craft. It starts with an understanding of materials. It starts with an understanding of where foods are grown.” ~ Tom Colicchio
Back of the House, Central Kitchen
Stovetop, Chez Panisse
“Let things taste of what they are.” ~ Alice Waters
Crafting Lunch, Chez Panisse
Filleting Salmon, Chez Panisse
Cooking is at once child’s play and adult joy. And cooking done with care is an act of love.” ~ Craig Claiborne
Peppers and Prep, Chez Panisse
Assembling at Salumeria
“Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be engaged in lightly.” – M.F.K. Fisher
The Team, Chez Panisse
“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ~Ruth Reichl
Plated, Plow
“My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there are three other people.” ~ Orson Welles
Jane Lurie Photography 
Fabulous! Favs are the multi person action shots- they are so into it! Too bad they are forbidden from having nice glass o wine adjacent during the production ..Like in my kitchen ha.
& love all the pots in first one. Pity the poor dishwasher! dsup
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Thank you, Diane. I bet there’s a nice glass of something at the end of the shift… Appreciate your comment, as always!
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Interesting photos! They are just great // Maria 🙂 …
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Thank you very much, Maria. Glad you enjoyed them.
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Love your B&W images. Incredibly tonality. There are many similarities between cooking and photography.
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Thank you very much, Anderemos! I agree, putting together fine ingredients to create a beautiful result. 🙂 Love your post on Torres Del Paine– that was a favorite trip.
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Great pictures, Jane.
…they make me hungry, though…
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Thanks, Rabirius! May have inspired you to cook! Appreciate your comment.
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Great shots, Jane! I really need to eat at Central Kitchen. Was the restaurant mind-numbingly loud, as the Chronicle critic claims?
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Thanks, Josh! It was a fun theme to put together. The Central Kitchen shot was earlier in the day during their prep while we were eating at Salumeria. We will have to experience the noise at Central together when you come up!
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Very interesting set of photos. Love the ‘Peppers & Prep’ the best. Cooking is definitely an art, but not one I enjoy, although by necessity I do. I have a sign in my kitchen that reads, “Many people have eaten in my kitchen and gone on to lead normal, healthy lives.” I think I’d rather be photographing those doing the cooking (like you have here), rather than actually doing the cooking!!!
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Thanks, Karen. Love your kitchen disclaimer– very funny. Glad you enjoyed these and now you can get back to cooking. 😉
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Inspiring me to cook something wonderful. I’m heading to the farmers market this morning. Love the photos!
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Thanks so much, Pam! Hope you found some beautiful ingredients.
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Love this! ….and now I am hungry!
Cooking is like anything else ….done routinely and poorly it is dull and unexceptional . Done well , with some effort , creativity and understanding of raw materials, ingredients , and it is elevated to an art form.
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Well said, Ginny! I’m happy you are inspired and so glad you enjoyed these.
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Nice pics Jane. The fifth one from top is my favourite!
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Hi Uday, Those peppers were begging to be photographed– glad you enjoyed them. Thank you for your comment!
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YUM…..u have certainly captured the CRAFT!!! A dream of mine always to be a chef & run a kitchen in NYC…perhaps CHS…who knows….the next chapter?????
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April, We never discussed your dream… you can live it! Glad this set inspired you. Thanks!
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Love the colors and the settings! The quotes are great choices for this post too.
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Thanks so much, Milka. This was a fun theme since we love to eat 😉
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Jane, what a great experience to share with us…loved the photos and quotes. This could almost make me want to cook!! You know of my culinary prowess!! Aways enjoy the wonders you show us so beautifully.
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Pat, Now I know that this was inspiring if I’ve gotten you in the kitchen! 🙂 So happy you enjoyed this set — I loved shooting these. Have many more that I will share someday. Thanks so much!
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When I grow up I want to live in that big kitchen 🙂 How did you get access ? The pictures are wonderful – loved the black and whites! I should needlepoint Orson Welles quote!
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Hi Mary Lynn, Thank you! The kitchen was so gorgeous…Chez Panisse was just renovated due to the fire so the chefs were excited. The B&W versions worked well with the stainless. That Orson quote has hit home with many!
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A fabulous series of shots. The color, sharpness and spontaneity go together in this photographic work.
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Thank you very much, Carlos. That means a lot. Glad you liked these.
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I’m envious of your getting into kitchen of Chez Panisse. And, yes, loved the Welles quote.
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Thanks so much, Sharon! They were very nice there.
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This is a really neat post. Your photography gives us the elegant side of cooking ~
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Thank you, Mary. An inside peek– happy you enjoyed it.
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Always interesting to see the direction of your photography! Great, no matter the the subject!
Love from Kiawah
Ann
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Hi Ann, Thank you so much. This was an interesting challenge. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you are having a great summer!
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Great photography! I am hungry now! Suzie
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Hi Suzie– Now you’re motivated for some good cooking…and you are good at it! Thank you.
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What???? No beautifully plated Bar B Q! Love the post! Linda
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Linda, Ha! That will be a future post! Glad you enjoyed this theme–thank you!
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LOL on the Welles quote!
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Seems to be a favorite, Tina. Thanks.
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how did you get back there, m’dear? Other than your charm and great camera? Marvelous shots–especially in B&W. Loved the Orson quote.
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Hi Leah, They are welcoming and friendly at Chez Panisse– and it was my charm, of course. 🙂 The stainless steel works well in B&W- glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
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Wonderful photography of working kitchens. Even though we don’t see a completed plate until the last, it seems like it will be delicious at every stage.
I need to listen to the advice of Orson Welles’ doctor. 🙂
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Hi Lignum Draco- This was a fun theme to shoot. Glad you enjoyed it, thank you! The Orson quote seems to hit home with many…:)
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Mhm – I’d like to cook now!
😀
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Glad to motivate you, Stefan! 🙂
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