With a cavalcade of Michelin-starred restaurants and James Beard awards and the respect and admiration of an entire industry, it may seem there’s little left for culinary powerhouse Keller to conquer. But here, as he has done with the French Laundry and his other establishments, he proves the cookbook can be so much more as he culls together a collection ofrecipes from his famous chain of bakeries in a masterfully produced tome. The glossy, big format lends itself well to foodies of all types, who will relish the many pages of resourceful information and reliable recipes. With each recipe, Keller includes applicable techniques and must-know tidbits, so readers really won’t need to venture beyond these pages for much else. Tackling macaroons or tempering chocolate, for example, may terrify some baking newbies, but Keller’s focused prose lays out the steps clearly and confidently. One puzzling interruption is a series of clip art images sprinkled throughout. For such an otherwise fastidious attention to detail, these seem out of place and second-rate, though readers furiously baking Keller’s succulent treats may hardly notice. --Casey Bayer