Hillman addresses fascinating questions such as why heirloom fruits and vegetables taste better than supermarket varieties, why dry rubs impart more flavor to meats than marinades do, how weather conditions affect outdoor grilling times, and how food science is altering what we eat in restaurants.

In this revised and updated edition of the book that thousands of cooks have turned to when they have a question, the science authority Howard Hillman provides the latest findings about everything from cooking methods, equipment, and food storage to nutrition and health concerns.