BASIC Molecular Gastronomy "Made Easy" Starter Kit ⊘ Non-GMO Gluten-Free OU Kosher Certified Ingredients

I love the book and everything that came with it. The recipes are easy to follow and this is great for a beginner like me. It sure is fun to take everyday cooking to a fun level. I'm not a professional chef but a self taught home chef.Having said that. There are a couple items not included that are needed for the recipes in the book. This is a list.But don't be scared by this because there are recipes to learn, on where you don't have to have all the tools at once. But it's good to look through this list and see my notes and see what's needed or what you might have already.These you will want to get for some of the recipes. I found them all on Amazon.1. Iota Carrageenan (used a lot)2. Calcium Lactate (used in various)3. Soy Lecithin (used quite a bit)These tools are required to do recipes. Not too expensive, which was good for me. And I'm sure a lot of people already have some of these. I hate to have to admit it, but I didn't have most of these.1. Immersion blender (I got one for around $40)2. Scale with small gram measurements (I found on for $15)3. Scale with small kilogram measurements (about $15)4. Whisk5. Medium to large stainless steel saucepan (don't get non stick because you'll be using the Immersion blender in it)These are tools that are also are needed. See my notes1. Chinois (cone shaped seive) but a fine seive can work. this is used in all recipes I've so far either tried or looked at.2. Silicone spherical mold (I just ordered one for $20) this is needed for some recipes3. Acetate sheets (I ordered, but haven't received them, $17)4. Syphon (gourmet whip) with chargers (used for sauces and cream). There's a section on this and it's worth getting one of these) this is the best part of molecular gastronomy to me. You can use it for sauces. Cream for coffee and desserts. I can't wait for mine to get here.5. Dehydrator (good to have for some of the recipes) I am ordering one soon for around $40 (you know... after a payday 😉)6. Sous Vide Machine (There's a section on it and I do not regret getting one)7. Standing blender with a whisk attachment (I don't have the whisk attachment but have so far gotten around it with my blender) I hope to get this someday soon.8. Juicer (I still use my blender and a seive to get past this because I can't afford a juicer)You don't need all these tools at once. But they all are needed for various recipes and you won't regret it of you're really getting into this type of cooking.

While many of these chemicals can be purchased individually at a lower cost when bought in bulk I have truly enjoyed this "kit" that accompanied by an easy to read book with excellent instructions. Yes, the book is in black and white and feels at times like something bound by Staples I found that the information contained within was of more value than a colored picture and that, in comparison with other kits out there, it provided me with a stronger ingredient base. Further, this book is less a recipes book but more a "How to" instruction with you being able to find good recipes and videos online.Overall, I thought this was an excellent father's day gift that brought joy not only to me but also to my son and my wife who could easily take part in many of the recipes and definitely enjoy the fruits of such labor. If you are intimidated by this type of cooking, don't be. It is my opinion that this, if equipped with the right information and the ability to buy good quality produce, is easier than most traditional cooking. Think of it more as building with lego than mixing potions in a cauldron.

EDIT: after playing around with the ingredients and looking around online I have made good use of this product. I applaud the effort to provide these ingredients and tools at a lower price point than competition. However, the book needs an editor and better organization. Now that i have tried several recipes and gotten a feel for the tools I am enjoying myself. However, the learning curve did not need to be this high.I am a human. If I am given limited options but can't see past them to other possibilities I am content with what I have. I was happy to open this and immediately start perusing the recipes. Oh this looks great! Crap, can't make it. Oh this.. crap. So then I wrote down a list of what came in the package and compared it to the book to see what I could make and what I couldn't.They could've organized the book in a manner within which you could easily find recipes that match the starter kit. I feel like I was pitched more than I received. Poor job of managing my expectations. I could've easily bought these ingredients piece meal and then searched the net for recipes. I bought this product specifically so I wouldn't have to look outside the box or waste time figuring out what i could or could not do.I would pay more for additional ingredients. However, the premium version of this product includes a scale I don't need.My ideal product: A Complete set of ingredients* , the syringe, tubing (have to buy that), caviar mold. And make it repetitively obvious that I need a scale and an immersion blender.*a set of ingredients is complete when I don't need molecular ingredients you didn't provide.All this being said, this gave me what i needed to get started, even if it could be better designed.

This kit was everything I needed, in amounts that won't go bad with extended storage. I have been cooking the MG way for a year and a half and I was going to restock my supplies. This kit was cheaper than buying the 2 ounce packages individually and you get the spoon, caviar syringe and a great book for the beginner (the book was not written for the kit, but it has excellent and varied recipes) and at the price, they are essentially free gifts. My order even had the upgraded Perfect Caviar Maker instead of the cheaper plastic syringe shown. I love Modernist Pantry products for their content, quality, price and customer support.

This kit is filled with fluff and items no serious or novice cook, nor professional chef would ever want to use. It's kind of like that toy that comes in the cereal box. It looks good on the outside, but falls short of impressive once examined closely. Oh, and by the way, I'm a professional chef.

Great to get if your starting to get into gastronomy and see how it works. The book is very helpful for beginners.