good books

I am a young aspiring chef, working in a private catering hall for the past 1.5 years, my boss usually comes up with menu ideas but is starting to ask me for my input. I would like to know where all of you get your menu ideas from. I prefer books, with pictures to help, but websites would also be a good idea.
thanx in advance.

[W.DeBord]

Here's a few cooking sites I visit on line:
www.pbs.org (for Julia Child and others)

Food Network.com
www.bbonline.com (innkeepers recipes)

Discovery.com (for the Great Chefs series)

Martha Stewart. com

100topcooking.com (links to 100 top cooking sites)
www.unlv.edu (University of Las Vegas is a large site)

www.epicurious.com (has several cooking magazines recipes, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, House and Garden)


As far as which books to buy, well.. that's a huge question and it depends upon what type of work you do, etc... It's a life long process, but if you desire to become a chef you should begin collecting (GOOD, PROFESSIONAL) cookbooks and learning as many different skills and recipes as possible to round out your knowledge. There are many sources to buy discount books from other than book stores, if money is a concern.

Anyone who buys books to use in their job (such as you) should save your reciepts and you can write off their costs from you taxes (consult your accountant, but it's very simple).

There have been several other threads where people have mentioned their favorite cookbooks at this site. Just look around abit.

[W.DeBord]

Oops, that doesn't look so good... I forgot it would be a dirrect link with the www. and wasen't consistant. Just add www. before each site I mentioned.