118 replies to this topic

[Chris Hennes]

My Amazon copy arrived today, and it is a gorgeous as I had hoped. Of particular interest to me is the section by Chef Achatz where he describes many of the ways he comes up with dishes: it is well written and gives nice examples of the sorts of things he does to develop these incredible-looking recipes. The recipes are certainly not for the faint of heart, but I'm looking forward to playing...

[NY_Amateur]

My Amazon copy arrived today, and it is a gorgeous as I had hoped. Of particular interest to me is the section by Chef Achatz where he describes many of the ways he comes up with dishes: it is well written and gives nice examples of the sorts of things he does to develop these incredible-looking recipes. The recipes are certainly not for the faint of heart, but I'm looking forward to playing...

I too got this book and it looks beautiful, I will be reading as much as I can tonight. I really can't wait to try some of these recipes (bought from Amazon.com by the way).

[adey73]

anyone received there's in the UK yet?

[Chris Amirault]

And how about those who ordered it at the Alinea website?

[docsconz]

And how about those who ordered it at the Alinea website?

Not yet for me.

[ronnie_suburban]

And how about those who ordered it at the Alinea website?

Not yet for me.

Still waiting on mine, as well.

=R=

[yellow truffle]

And how about those who ordered it at the Alinea website?

Not yet for me.

Still waiting on mine, as well.

=R=

I believe that if one pre-ordered from Amazon ($30) or somewhere other than the Alinea website, they may get the book earlier than the supposed release date of the 15th of October. There have been a couple of reports of people getting them, and some have already posted un-boxing photos. Just remember that ordering from the website gives you a signed (actually a few signatures) version, as well as access to the mosaic.

IMHO, the $50 option is a price performer, if you wish to actually read and use the cookbook. The forum section of the site can be a useful resource to aid in recreating some of the Alinea dishes. You also get "bonus recipes, demonstration videos, supplementary images, and a behind the scene perspective." It's like a membership to a dynamic and never ending cookbook.

Which makes me wonder if there will be a second Alinea cookbook. Also, since I ordered a couple of books, to give a gifts, I wonder if the recipients will be given access information to the mosaic, as well.

[yellow truffle]

Now if you were lucky enough to have made it Wired fest, on October 1st, then you would already have a cookbook.

[hapacooking]

I have seen the Alinea book in three different Borders bookstores as of last Saturday.

I am still waiting on mine from the Alinea website. The latest info is that they will not start shipping until Monday of next week.

[MikeHartnett]

On the mosaic site, I think I read that they're hoping to ship them out around Monday.

[adey73]

ummmm pay more get it later.

[MikeHartnett]

Sort of how I feel, but the flip side of the coin is that we get a signed copy with a special jacket. Collector's edition. It's like waiting to buy a deluxe album. You could get the cheaper version sooner, and you can in this case also.

[Chris Amirault]

Moderator's note: we've started this topic devoted to cooking with the Alinea Cookbook.

[Tri2Cook]

ummmm pay more get it later.

Yeah but we helped generate a buzz. We let them know there was some serious interest in the project. Plus we get a signed, numbered copy and special edition slip cover and we got early access to the mosaic. I'm fine with waiting a few extra days. No regrets about preordering for me.

[gfron1]

yeah, a few days are easily justified to me with these perks.

[Marcle Pine]

Also, this is a book that should likely sell for a lot more than $50 ... we are all fortunate to get one at that price, whenever it arrives.

I wouldn't be overly surprised if, in Alinea fashion, there was something else included when the pre-orders do arrive based on this comment by Nick Kokonas on the Mosaic:

"The book shops put it out earlier than they were supposed to...

that said, you are getting something a bit different.... :-)"

[gfron1]

Two full days were spent signing the books, re-shrink wrapping them, placing them in the limited edition sleeves, and then shrink wrapping the result. Next week they all ship out to all of you. Thank you for your patience.. I know some book sellers have jumped the gun... but none of them will have this edition.

I don't think we're getting anything surprising, just this special cover and the sigs. As many others have said, a few extra days and paying full price is hardly a concern in comparison to what we'll receive.

[Chefb28]

Ordered my copy, and I don't even know where I'll be living next fall.  I may well buy a couple copies, one for the family and a personal copy for myself.

How much is the Alinea cookbook and is can you still get it signed by grant achatz?

[nick.kokonas]

Thanks for the votes of confidence everyone.

The book stores were supposed to hold them until October 15th. Given the size of the books it doesn't surprise me that they put them out early.

I posted a few pictures in the Mosaic forums of the signing sessions and the sleeved edition. The book is the same book, but we had Grant, Martin, Lara and me sign each and every one of the first 3,500 off the line. Each was then shrink wrapped again and placed in a sleeve. They will ship out on the 8th or so and everyone should have theirs by the 15th.

The Mosaic will get new content at that point as well and we will get out of beta and start more regular updates. It will also be open to the public at that point... just hit the sign up button.

Finally, we will sell sleeved copies that are unsigned of the second edition at $ 75 through our website -- which is already being printed. The cost of the books, shipping, and the sleeves exceeded our projections, so while we can wholesale the book to Amazon and do just fine (and they barely take a mark-up at $ 30), once we add the sleeve we have to increase the price. So early buyers got a deal.

We are fortunate enough to have sold out through our channels the 5,000 books we ordered for our outlets (3,500 of the limited ones + some regular copies for events and the restaurant) and 25,000+ wholesale orders. So we have editions 2 and 3 already ordered.


I completely understand the frustration, if any, by people who ordered early and are getting them after the folks who paid less through retail outlets. If I had to do it again I would have ensured that our supply chain did not get ahead of schedule on the wholesale side. We are right on our schedule -- almost to the day -- and it is a live and learn type situation. That said, you will be getting a copy signed by Grant and the team that created the book....

Edited by nick.kokonas, 04 October 2008 - 08:27 PM.

[jdanton]

My copy shipped yesterday!! Woo hoo.

[newbie21]

Did you pre-order from the website?

[judec]

Is anyone having difficulty logging in to mosaic?

[AlexNoir]

Is anyone having difficulty logging in to mosaic?

Yep. Something tells me they may be making some modifications to the Mosaic site and that could be causing an issue with logging in. I know they were supposed to be "opening up" the site as well, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it...

[syoung68]

I got my shipping confirmation email today. (I bought through the site). If only it would be here before this weekend, but I doubt the USPS can get it here in one day.

[MikeHartnett]

The confirmation does say it was shipped yesterday, though. There's hope!

[Tri2Cook]

Yeah, they posted on the mosaic that all U.S. orders went out yesterday and all international orders would be going out today. Shouldn't be long now (although my last l'epicerie order has been stuck in customs almost a week now so we'll see).

[rhinopias]

Anyone going to the Alinea Cookbook release party at Thomas Masters gallery here in Chicago tomorrow? It's a $120.00 a couple including a signed copy of the book, some small bites, and reserve wines. I'm looking forward to it.

[docsconz]

Nice review of the Alinea book by Fabio Parasecoli in the latest issue of The Art of Eating.

While the recipes can hardly become part of your every day cooking, this book is far too interesting to be left on the coffee table.

I remain anxiously awaiting receipt of my copy.

[judec]

Nice review of the Alinea book by Fabio Parasecoli in the latest issue of The Art of Eating

Is there an online copy somewhere?

Edited by judec, 14 October 2008 - 12:20 PM.

[TheSwede]

Has anyone outside the US (and possibly Canada) gotten a shipping confirmation email?