The Kinfolk Table Hardcover – Illustrated, October 15, 2013

contrary to some of the negative reviews, when contemplating purchasing this book I wasn't expecting a novel. The quality is a high-end coffee table / lifestyle recipe book which is exactly what I was looking for. I am loving the beauty of the book, the sections organized by various locations, the short stories on other people's lives and why the recipe inspires them. I also appreciate that the recipes are somewhat simple b/c I was not looking for those over the top all day recipes, but the interesting but simple fresh ideas to inspire me for our hosting events. LOVE the book and the quality.

First of all, this is not a cookbook full of complicated and mouth gaping recipes for veteran cooks. This is for people like us, who are too lazy to experiment with fussy recipes after working 10-14 hours a day. Its perfect for those who want to serve something nice, healthy, fresh, good to look at, yet real easy to whip up, to a couple of friends chilling on a weekend afternoon, instead of ordering boring pizza from domino's. If that's the kind of cookbook you are looking for then this book will be just right for you. The portraits just make the cookbook that much more interesting and different from your traditional cookbooks, making it a perfect piece not only for your kitchen counter, but for your coffee table as well!

I ordered this book on the recommendation of a friend. I was really intrigued after reading the reviews as they were so diverse and quite controversial for a cookbook. Oddly that made me want to order it even more.I understand why some would be upset by the glowing depictions of an obviously entitled lifestyle that this cookbook portrays. True much of it might lie beyond the means of many of us, yet I have always found that that is the purpose of art... to raise our sights and inspire us to reach further. And that does not mean just monetarily or to acquire more. Much of the settings in the lives and homes of these individuals are full of used furniture that has been restored or simply put to good use. Many of the recipes call for simple ingredients that are in the reach of many of us.Just like a Martha Stewart cookbook, very few of us could, or would want, to attain that level of perfection and lifestyle BUT almost any of us could move a few degrees over in our lives and find betterment.This is NOT a recipe heavy cookbook but much more a lifestyle cookbook. I happen to like those as well as the many recipe/food dense cookbooks I own. But I found this one to be a reading and viewing pleasure.

I love it, even if I'm not going to make probably any recipe (I don't eat meat and there are a lot here). I think it's wonderful as coffee table book too : its minimalistic style and the beautiful photos make this volume just perfect.

I love Kinfolk titles - and this one also delivers!Beautiful in the layout and content and then each chapter has its own appeal.It’s a calming and exciting read at the same time.Beautiful is the word.

I love the stories and the pictures that accompany each chapter. I love the international scope. I find all of the recipes quite interesting and I have used several of them.A very different cook book.

It's an interesting polarization such a book can bring. I, for one, enjoyed it quite a bit (at least for what it's good at):I enjoy it for its sheer beauty in photography and quaint approach to the Portland-based Kinfolk spirit. A celebration of people and food, and the simplicity it can all bring together. It's a reminder that we don't need to be stressed out all the time, trying to achieve some impossible American dream. Just good people and good food will do.It's not a book you pick up for hours on end. It's a 'let's try to make this together this weekend' kind of book. The kind where it inspires you to go out and create a dish that serves 4-6 for a potluck. Nothing fancy or over-the-top.For those unfamiliar with the Kinfolk writing style, while based on true stories, it is very much fiction at its core. Like hell I would ever serve food on a barn door table due to all of its splinters and crevices for bacteria growth. But in a world where things are always a little more carefree and small things are celebrated together, I don't see why you wouldn't. It's the world you want to create, not the world that isn't.

I read some of the other ratings and was concerned about buying it but after I received it I realized people do not do research before buying items. If you are familiar with Kinfolk magazine then you will "get" this cookbook. It is not just about the recipes. It is about the recipes, the stories behind the dishes and the photos. It is their magazine in a bigger book. I LOVE it.