The potato has become so familiar to everyone today--it is the uncontested star on the menu of chefs both great and small--that we tend to forget its history. The potato has survived wars, famines, political intrigue and is certainly the modern-day success story of the food industry.

With its origins in the Andes, the potato was introduced to 16th century Europe by the Spanish and this beautifully illustrated book tell the fascinating story of this nutritious and delicious vegetable before presenting a portrait of 180 different types; from British Queen, first grown in Scotland, to la Ratte, made famous by Joel Robuchon.

Then fifty-three potato-loving chefs enable the reader to discover or rediscover the variety of ways the world's most popular tuber can be enjoyed. Feran Adria's recipe in his inimitable original style is for Potato Puree with Vanilla Sugar; Heston Blumenthal reveals the secret of his perfect Chunky Chips; Thomas Keller presents a Spring Vegetable Salad; Jean-Georges Vongerichten--or Vong to his followers--offers a slowly cooked sable fish, potato noodles with creme fraiche, vodka and caviar and Charlie Trotter amazes with his Russian banana fingerling, New York Red Bliss and Desiree potatoes, a kumomoto oyster emulsion and Inranian Osetra caviar.