Food 2.0

March 17, 2008
While working in California as the executive chef for Google, Ayers “came to believe that we can all eat delicious, clean, fast cuisine that is good for us, good for the community, and good for the Earth.” In his first cookbook, Ayers shares recipes that fed the young minds at Google for more than six years as well as tips on eating, shopping and cooking smart. Ayers isn’t telling readers anything new, but his clear and concise recipes are inspiring. “The Smart Pantry” section includes lists of Ayers’s favorite vinegars, oils and grains, and includes creative recipes for homemade condiments like Chutney-Yogurt Crust for fish, Roasted Jalapeno Ketchup, and “Flavor Cubes,” such as one made with carrot juice, eggplant and garlic puree frozen in ice trays and used to add quick flavor to soups or sauces. The “Smart Recipes” section offers such original recipes as a Jade Smoothie, made with cucumber, apple cider and lemon sorbet, and Dragon Breath Noodles, with peanut butter, ginger and honey. Photos.

May 15, 2008
When Larry Page and Sergey Brin started Google, they wanted an employee cafeteria that offered healthful and delicious alternatives to the pizza and burritos on which most "Googlers" subsisted, and they hired Ayers as their chef in 1999. He was "employee #53," but when he left Google in 2005, the cafeteria (aka Charlie's Caf) was serving lunch and dinner to more than 1500 people a day. Here, Ayers presents his time-tested recipes and his cooking philosophy (buy organic and local, whenever possible), along with lots of information on ingredients, techniques, and eating well. The recipes are simple but appealing, inspired by a variety of cuisines, and feature many vegetarian choices. Ayers has an engaging style; his book is recommended for most collections.

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