--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think if you can take one or two things…" description: "\"I think if you can take one or two things from a cookbook, it's successful.\" — Thomas Keller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/thomas-keller-10252_cookbook_i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-thing_1887444.jpg" --- # I think if you can take one or two things from a cookbook… ![“I think if you can take one or two things from a cookbook, it's successful.” quote by Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/thomas-keller-10252_cookbook_i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-thing_1887444.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/thomas-keller-10252_cookbook_i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-thing_1887444.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/thomas-keller-10252_cookbook_i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-thing_1887444.jpg) > “I think if you can take one or two things from a cookbook, it's successful.” [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success in cooking can be achieved by mastering a few key techniques from a cookbook, emphasizing simplicity over complexity. **In simple terms:** Master a few basics for culinary success. Key Takeaway Focus on core skills. Themes cooking learning simplicity Mood encouraging practical Type inspirational educational When to use this quote - home cooking - restaurant training - culinary education - recipe development Key Concepts technique mastery Questions to Reflect On - Which basic technique will you improve? - How can simplicity enhance flavor? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on basics may limit creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cookbook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cookbook/) [Cookbook Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cookbook-successful-2704425/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Things Cookbook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-cookbook-2704426/) [Think Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-things/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-things/) ## Related quotes > [One of the problems with writing a cookbook is that recipes exist in the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/one-of-the-problems-with-writing-a-cookbook-is-that-recipes-exist-in/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [A cookbook must have recipes, but it shouldn't be a blueprint. It should be more inspirational; it should be a guide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/a-cookbook-must-have-recipes-but-it-shouldn-t-be-a-blueprint-it/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [Once you understand the foundations of cooking - whatever kind you like, whether it's French or Italian or Japanese - you really don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/once-you-understand-the-foundations-of-cooking-whatever-kind-you-like/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [British cookbook author Elizabeth David led the most adventurous life but is widely credited with bringing to the fore the importance of home cooking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leong/british-cookbook-author-elizabeth-david-led-the-most-adventurous-life/) [Melissa Leong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leong/) > [My office in New York is overflowing with all kinds of cookbooks, and in New Orleans we have a huge culinary library. So yeah,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emeril-lagasse/my-office-in-new-york-is-overflowing-with-all-kinds-of-cookbooks-and/) [Emeril Lagasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emeril-lagasse/) > [A combination of the qualities of the scholar, the master cook, the painter, the gastronomer, the sportsman and the pantologist, assisted by the skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ellwanger/a-combination-of-the-qualities-of-the-scholar-the-master-cook-the/) [George Ellwanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ellwanger/) > [Cookbooks have all become baroque and very predictable. I'm looking for something different. A lot of chefs' cookbooks are food as it's done in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-batali/cookbooks-have-all-become-baroque-and-very-predictable-i-m-looking/) [Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-batali/) > [Every cookbook can be a bit patronising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/every-cookbook-can-be-a-bit-patronising/) [Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/) > [My mom had Julia Child and 'The Fannie Farmer Cookbook' on top of the refrigerator, and she had a small repertoire of French dishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/my-mom-had-julia-child-and-the-fannie-farmer-cookbook-on-top-of-the/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [I am a cookbook fanatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-bee/i-am-a-cookbook-fanatic/) [Samantha Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-bee/) > [Most women loathe limericks, for the same reason that calves hate cookbooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gershon-legman/most-women-loathe-limericks-for-the-same-reason-that-calves-hate/) [Gershon Legman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gershon-legman/) > [Cookbooks, it should be stressed, do not belong in the kitchen at all. We keep them there for the sake of appearances; occasionally, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-lane/cookbooks-it-should-be-stressed-do-not-belong-in-the-kitchen-at-all/) [Anthony Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-lane/) > [I've read hundreds of cookbooks. Most of those cookbooks don't even tell you how to get a steak ready, how to bake biscuits or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-sanders/i-ve-read-hundreds-of-cookbooks-most-of-those-cookbooks-don-t-even/) [Colonel Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-sanders/) > [“It's a recipe for agrumato," he says, sounding surprised. I roll the unfamiliar name in Italian around on my tongue. "Agrumato? What's that?" Nicolo's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-linden/it-s-a-recipe-for-agrumato-he-says-sounding-surprised-i-roll-the/) [Rachel Linden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-linden/) ## More by Thomas Keller > [Larousse is an invaluable tool for any cook. I've used this great resource all throughout my cooking career, and of course I look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/larousse-is-an-invaluable-tool-for-any-cook-i-ve-used-this-great/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [We rely on our purveyors to tell us what's available and what's good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/we-rely-on-our-purveyors-to-tell-us-what-s-available-and-what-s-good/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [It's not about perfection; it's about the joy of striving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/it-s-not-about-perfection-it-s-about-the-joy-of-striving/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [I don't think you could have a 7 with a manual. But I can't see having a BMW sports sedan without a manual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-don-t-think-you-could-have-a-7-with-a-manual-but-i-can-t-see-having/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [I wanted to learn everything I could about what it takes to be a great chef. It was a turning point for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-wanted-to-learn-everything-i-could-about-what-it-takes-to-be-a/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [Success is measured by the memories you create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/success-is-measured-by-the-memories-you-create/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [Vegetables to me are - I don't want to say the most exciting part of cooking, but certainly a very exciting part of cooking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/vegetables-to-me-are-i-don-t-want-to-say-the-most-exciting-part-of/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [And don't forget music - music in the kitchen is an essential ingredient!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/and-don-t-forget-music-music-in-the-kitchen-is-an-essential-ingredient/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [I have no formal culinary training, right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-have-no-formal-culinary-training-right/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [You have to be driven. You have to be focused. You have to be aware.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/you-have-to-be-driven-you-have-to-be-focused-you-have-to-be-aware/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [I believe Fernand Point is one of the last true gourmands of the 20th century. His ruminations are extraordinary and thought-provoking. He has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-believe-fernand-point-is-one-of-the-last-true-gourmands-of-the-20th/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [Historically in restaurants, the service staff is awarded significantly higher wages than cooks and other staff who prepare the food on which a restaurant's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/historically-in-restaurants-the-service-staff-is-awarded/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [Its not about passion. Passion is something that we tend to overemphasize, that we certainly place too much importance on. Passion ebbs and flows.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/its-not-about-passion-passion-is-something-that-we-tend-to/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [It's one thing you aspire to: someday, you'll be able to write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/it-s-one-thing-you-aspire-to-someday-you-ll-be-able-to-write-a-book/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) > [Let's face it: if you and I have the same capabilities, the same energy, the same staff, if the only thing that's different between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/let-s-face-it-if-you-and-i-have-the-same-capabilities-the-same-energy/) [Thomas Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) [Explore all 67 Thomas Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/) ## More Cookbook quotes > [My office in New York is overflowing with all kinds of cookbooks, and in New Orleans we have a huge culinary library. So yeah,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emeril-lagasse/my-office-in-new-york-is-overflowing-with-all-kinds-of-cookbooks-and/) [Emeril Lagasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emeril-lagasse/) > [A combination of the qualities of the scholar, the master cook, the painter, the gastronomer, the sportsman and the pantologist, assisted by the skill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ellwanger/a-combination-of-the-qualities-of-the-scholar-the-master-cook-the/) [George Ellwanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ellwanger/) > [Most women loathe limericks, for the same reason that calves hate cookbooks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gershon-legman/most-women-loathe-limericks-for-the-same-reason-that-calves-hate/) [Gershon Legman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gershon-legman/) > [British cookbook author Elizabeth David led the most adventurous life but is widely credited with bringing to the fore the importance of home cooking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leong/british-cookbook-author-elizabeth-david-led-the-most-adventurous-life/) [Melissa Leong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leong/) > [I've read hundreds of cookbooks. Most of those cookbooks don't even tell you how to get a steak ready, how to bake biscuits or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colonel-sanders/i-ve-read-hundreds-of-cookbooks-most-of-those-cookbooks-don-t-even/) [Colonel Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colonel-sanders/) > [Cookbooks, it should be stressed, do not belong in the kitchen at all. We keep them there for the sake of appearances; occasionally, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-lane/cookbooks-it-should-be-stressed-do-not-belong-in-the-kitchen-at-all/) [Anthony Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-lane/) > [“It's a recipe for agrumato," he says, sounding surprised. I roll the unfamiliar name in Italian around on my tongue. "Agrumato? What's that?" Nicolo's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-linden/it-s-a-recipe-for-agrumato-he-says-sounding-surprised-i-roll-the/) [Rachel Linden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-linden/) > [I am a cookbook fanatic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-bee/i-am-a-cookbook-fanatic/) [Samantha Bee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-bee/) > [My mom had Julia Child and 'The Fannie Farmer Cookbook' on top of the refrigerator, and she had a small repertoire of French dishes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/my-mom-had-julia-child-and-the-fannie-farmer-cookbook-on-top-of-the/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [Every cookbook can be a bit patronising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/every-cookbook-can-be-a-bit-patronising/) [Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/) > [Cookbooks have all become baroque and very predictable. I'm looking for something different. A lot of chefs' cookbooks are food as it's done in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-batali/cookbooks-have-all-become-baroque-and-very-predictable-i-m-looking/) [Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-batali/) > [“Somewhere close behind air and water is the need for food.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-j-martin/somewhere-close-behind-air-and-water-is-the-need-for-food/) [L.J. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-j-martin/) > [When we first did 'Modernist Cuisine,' I think most people in cookbook publishing would have said, 'This is insane.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/when-we-first-did-modernist-cuisine-i-think-most-people-in-cookbook/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [A lot of cookbooks also have incredible food writing, even though I feel like a lot of cookbook authors don't necessarily identify with being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-zauner/a-lot-of-cookbooks-also-have-incredible-food-writing-even-though-i/) [Michelle Zauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-zauner/) > [“None of this Mad Mario showmanship- orange clogs and Bermuda shorts fit for Babar, sweetbreads garnished with squash blossoms stuffed with cheese from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-glass/none-of-this-mad-mario-showmanship-orange-clogs-and-bermuda-shorts/) [Julia Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-glass/) [Browse all 169 Cookbook quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cookbook/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think if you can take one or two things from a cookbook, it's successful.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Keller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-things-from-a-cookbook-it-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cookbook" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-things-from-a-cookbook-it-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/thomas-keller-10252_cookbook_i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-thing_1887444.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/thomas-keller-10252_cookbook_i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-thing_1887444.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e3/thomas-keller-10252_cookbook_i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-thing_1887444.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think if you can take one or two things from a cookbook, it's successful.” — Thomas Keller", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Keller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-keller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think if you can take...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-things-from-a-cookbook-it-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-keller/i-think-if-you-can-take-one-or-two-things-from-a-cookbook-it-s/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```