A true mid-century kitchen workhorse: the Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook, edited by Ruth Berolzheimer and published in Chicago.
This is the kind of book you keep within arm’s reach—974 pages of practical recipes, menus, buying guides, and classic “how-to” instructions, organized with a built-in quick-reference index and thumb-cut section tabs for fast flipping.
Inside you’ll find a mix of text, illustrations, and food photography that feels straight out of a 1950s home ec dream. Photo-verified details and condition notes below so buyers can feel confident.
Quick Specs H2
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Item Type: Vintage hardcover cookbook / kitchen reference
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Size: 9 × 6 × 2.75 in
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Material: cloth/printed boards
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Color: Green cover with dark blue/black graphics and type
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Origin or Maker: Culinary Arts Institute, Chicago
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Year or Era: 1950
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GENRE: Cookbook
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Language / Pages: English / 974 pages
Edition & Features
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Dust Jacket: none
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Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Illustrated throughout; color food photo sections and black-and-white imagery (shown)
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Extras: Thumb-index cutouts by section; “Quick Reference Index” printed right on the front cover; handwritten recipe sheet/card included (shown)
Condition Grade: Good
Notes: A solid, usable copy with visible age and kitchen-life wear. Cover shows rubbing, scuffs, and discoloration/spotting, including noticeable marks on the back board; light edge/corner wear. Pages show age toning; thumb-index cutouts are present as part of the book’s design. Handwritten recipe sheet/card shows staining/spotting (as pictured).
- See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
About the Editor: Ruth Berolzheimer
Ruth Berolzheimer is credited as editor of this classic Culinary Arts Institute volume—one of those “one book does everything” cookbooks built for everyday home cooking, entertaining, and pantry problem-solving.
If you love practical vintage cookbooks with real instructions (and tabbed sections you can fly through), this one’s a keeper.
Shelf-worthy vintage finds you can trust. Find Your Story.
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Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
