This was a wonderful book that showed Jacques wide breath of painting skills well beyond the chickens that he has become famous for. I especially loved how he painted fish. I tried a few of the recipes and they were all very simple and flavorful, and not hard to make at all. This would be a great book for people who appreciate artist but also want easy meals for dinner time.

Jacques Pépin is a familiar name and face to just about everyone who has watched cooking shows on public television in the last three decades. I still remember the series he did with Julia Child with great fondness. But this great chef is more than that, beyond his great accolades in the kitchen, beyond being personal chef to Charles de Gaulle, and even beyond authoring the definitive book, in my opinion, on Techniques in cooking, he is passionate about art and is a talented artist. In this book, we get to see him combine two of his loves, food and art.
This book is not replacing the author's Complete Techniques in its permanent position on my kitchen counter but is more suited as a compliment to his Art of the Chicken which is a frequent favorite on my coffee table. This too is a book full of charming illustrations, though of more diverse group of subjects. Something that might surprise readers who are looking at this primarily as a cookbook and are not familiar with Art of the Chicken is that there are no photos accompanying the recipes. I did not have an issue with this as the recipes are quite straightforward and well described and the chef's artwork brings enough visual interest in the book, but wanted to raise this as I know some cooks absolutely require photos accompany recipes.
The book is divided into the following sections: Soups & Salads; Eggs, Pasta & Vegetables; Fish & Shellfish; Poultry & Meat; and Desserts. Rather than the usual introduction of pantry or equipment that is ubiquitous in cookbooks, the intro is a short personal narrative from the author, tying together his life in cooking and arts. The recipe formats contain the familiar blurb, ingredients, and easy-to-follow instructions. The accompanying artwork ranges from still life to landscape, in styles from impressionist to cubist. I can't wait to plan a menu from this book for a gathering and share the lovely pictures with my guests.
I received access to this ebook thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, William Morrow - Harvest) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

The Art of Jacques Pépin is a charming tribute to the legendary chef’s 90th birthday, blending his culinary brilliance with his lifelong passion for painting. This gorgeous cookbook features 99 of Pépin’s favorite recipes, thoughtfully paired with his vibrant artworks from six decades. From cozy Bread and Onion Soup to indulgent Chocolate Soufflé, each dish captures Pépin’s signature style—classic, flavorful, and totally doable for home cooks. Recipes like Baked Salmon with Pesto Butter and Pork Roast with Ratatouille nod to his French roots while fitting perfectly in modern kitchens.

The book’s layout is super user-friendly, with chapters covering every course, including desserts, so you can easily plan a full meal. The real star, though, is Pépin’s art. His bright, lively paintings, carefully chosen to complement the recipes, add a personal, joyful touch that shows off his creative side beyond the kitchen. The visuals are stunning, but here’s a heads-up: there are no food photos. If you love seeing the finished dish, you might be a bit let down. This is more of an art book with recipes than a traditional cookbook, which I personally loved, but it might not click for everyone.

As a lifelong Pépin fan who’s cooked every recipe from his pandemic-era videos and owns all his cookbooks, I think this collection is a gem. The recipes are pure Pépin—simple, elegant, and paired with clear instructions that make you feel like a pro. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this book pulls you into Pépin’s world, inspiring you to create with the same passion he radiates. As he loves to say, “Happy cooking!”—and this book makes that vibe come alive.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the magnificent Jacques Pépin for allowing me to view an advanced digital copy of this excellent book

An interesting cookbook in that there are no photos of the food, but it is illustrated with actual paintings and sketches that Jacques Pepin has made over the years. They do not really correspond to the recipes, but they are lovely in and of themselves (many are food-themed such as watercolors of fish) and look very mid-century French country to me. As for the recipes, they are all modern takes on classical French cuisine, and they would be a great addition to any cook's repertoire. Categories include soups, salads, fish (lots of fish!!), poultry + veal, a few desserts. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A beautiful blend of the well-known chef's artwork, essays and recipes. A joy for cooks of all backgrounds with treats for the eye and the palate.