It is easy for a chef to fall into a creative rut, so look to a duck cookbook directory resource for assistance. Whether you are the chef of a restaurant or food service institute, it is imperative to your business’s success to offer variety. Specialty cookbooks allow you to experiment with different recipes, and sometimes add your own twist.

With the Internet, it's easier than ever to search for a duck cookbook provider. Finding the right cookbook for your needs proves slightly more challenging. Cookbooks give you ideas, but also open the door to developing your own unique recipes. In many ways, mastering classic recipes is the best foundation for a chef’s training. When searching for duck cookbook information, remember the following:

1. Chefs of food service institutes should choose from a duck cookbook list with accommodating yields. Some recipes may not convert well, so make sure the cookbook you choose works for your size establishment.

2. Don’t be afraid of including old fashioned recipes in your menu selection. Many tried and true recipes are favorites when prepared well.

3. The cookbooks that you choose should reflect your skill level, your schedule, and the type of duck you are interested in.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick duck cookbook recipes that reflect the style of your establishment

With so many wonderful recipes out there, it's tempting to choose all that look appealing. However, make sure the recipes you pick reflect the character of your establishment. Guests have expectations when they select a restaurant, so unless you're confident you can pleasantly surprise them, don't add recipes that challenge your restaurant's concept.

I recommend: Ducks & Geese offers 36 beautifully illustrated recipes that can be adapted to both wild and domestic waterfowl. The Wild Game Cookbook by John A. Smith features simple and delicious recipes for soups, stews, casseroles, steaks, roasts, and sauces.

Check recipes in each duck cookbook to make sure ingredients are easy to find

There's nothing better than a unique recipe with a unique taste. But if producing such a dish requires ingredients that are difficult to get, it may not be worth it. For this reason, you may want to review cookbooks for recipes that require hard to find herbs and spices, or certain seasonal or regional produce and food items.

I recommend: The Duck Cookbook provides an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary recipes, including duck a l'orange and cassoulet with duck confit, in addition to varieties of duck and various cooking methods. Duck & Goose Cookery presents a contemporary collection of wild duck recipes, from soups to entrées.

Continue to update and enhance your duck cookbook collection

You may assume that you have a pretty substantial cookbook collection, but recipes are continuously enhanced and updated. Stay abreast of the newest creations, but don't forget the classics.

I recommend: The Big Fat Duck Cookbook is divided into history, recipes and science, and should definitely be included in any duck cookbook collection. The Funky Duck: Duck Cookbook is a humorous cookbook that offers hunting tips and stories for those interested, as well as diverse duck recipes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join an association or club for duck lovers to help find duck cookbook recommendations, recipes and other information.